Garden Tap Problem!

[tony2215]

Hello,

Some advice please, My wife in all her wisdom has tightend our garden tap so much that i now can't turn it off. It's stuck open full. I have turned off the water supply to the tap but would like to know if there is anything in the tap i can replace or if will i need to replace the whole tap. I must strees i am not looking forward to either of these tasks as i have no idea what im doing (simple advice please)

Thank you in advance....

Tony.

 

[towman]

Well, as your missus managed apply enough force to jam it open, suggest you get her (or ask her very nicely?!) to unjam it herself! Alternatively, try using a lever - eg a bit of pipe- over the tap handle to give a bit more purchase. A liberal dose of WD40 etc down the spindle may also help.

 

[ChrisR]

Don't blame 'Er indoors, taps fall apart all by themselves!
If you take the tap apart you'll see how it works and doubtless see what's gone wrong. Fine, but it's likely to do it again.

So, get a spanner on the tap to try to close it. If it works, OK, otherwise, just get a new tap. They usually just screw into a fitting which is screwed to the wall. You might need to heat the joint to undo it. Use lots of ptfe tape on the new one.

 

[tony2215]

Thanks guy's.

I have tried to turn the head of the tap but it's not having it it wont budge at all. Im guessing she 's overtightend it so much and broke something inside?

So the opinion is to buy a new tap is that right??? if so id better go and ask her for some money and hope she dont hit me. LOL

 

[ChrisR]

Inside there's a spiral joined to the handle with a lump of brass sliding up and down on the spiral as you turn the top. Often the sliding bit goes past the end of the spiral bit and it jams.

Not desperately expensive

£1.72
+ vat & carriage

You should have a double check valve on the pipe inside the house. Bet you haven't.

 

[tony2215]

Im not sure if ive got one or not i never installed the tap. the washing machine runs off the same pipe and there is a valve type thing there with a blue hadle, is that it? if not do i need one realy?

 

[JPC]

u should per regs...u could just get a checked bib tap ..... better that nothing (guessing thats how its now)
-it prevents backflow and contamination of the water.