Fixing Bathroom Hot Water Tap - Leaking From Tap and Underneath

[DIYNovice1979]

Hi,
I have a hot water tap downstairs that's leaking. The boiler tank is upstairs and there's no isolation valve on the pipe underneath. The tap leaks from the tap opening itself, as well as from underneath. Underneath, the water simply trickles along the feed pipe and drops from the bend. The tap itself turns freely by hand, so does the nut underneath - I've tried tightening, but this makes little difference.

To isolate the water supply, do I need to turn off water to the house and then run the hot tap until the boiler/hot water empties? Are there any precautions/checks I need to do when I turn the supply back on?

Also, could this be something as simply as a rubber valve in the tap going, replacing it and then adding some ptfe/sealing compound?

Or should I be looking at a new tap?

Advice appreciated - thanks in advance... (pics attached).

 

[oldbutnotdead]

First question- your own house or rented? If rented it's the landlords problem.
Your tap has 2 problems;
1 The washer has failed (this is why it drips into the basin)- replace washer, maybe recut tap seat. Tools needed- tap seat cutter, good screwdriver, adjustable spanners, maybe small Stilson wrench.
2 The nut securing the tap to the basin has come loose, twisting the tap has loosened the connection between tap and pipe and that's now leaking. First is tighten the nut holding the tap to the basin, after that the pipe joint may just need tightening properly (using spanners and wrench), may need removing and refitting with a bit of Boss White or similar on the face of the joint.
While you are doing (2) you might want to consider fitting an isolator (hot water is expensive).

 

[CBW]

There should be a gate valve located where the cylinder is, be careful with these though, as they can snap. Once turned off, run the hot water outlets and water should cease after about a minute or so, if it doesn’t stop it’s not off or passing.

 

[DIYNovice1979]

Thanks for the replies.
I own the property, it's a new build (1980s) and it's coming up to the point where wear and tear/poor build quality is taking its toll!

There are gate valves by the cylinder tank upstairs (see pic - the cylinder is behind the towels). Is one the feed into the tank and the other the feed out? I've never touched these in about 8 years, but am happy to try shutting them off.


Thanks