Kitchen Tap Neck not rotating

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

Have a kitchen tap that no longer rotates. Figured it was an easy fix to dismantle and clean the calcium build-up, but not so....

Had hoped not to remove it, but could not release the section above the neck and thought it may be attached from below. There is s small hex screw but I did not remove the flexi pipes.

I have achieved nothing... I'm assuming that the top part (red arrow) unscrews from the base (green arrow) but it will not move. Probably 'welded' with calcium. Have soaked with vinegar, given a shot of silicone lube spry and although the neck now turns, it is still too tight.

How do the two parts separate? Or more usefully, how are they held together?

Thanks and toodle pip

 

[terryplumb]

The top section screws into the base, chances of separating them without damaging the surface Chrome is slim ,time for a new tap in my opinion.

 

[blup]

New tap needed, its possible to soak off the build up if a calcium with a suitable descaler, the problem is getting the tap off.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks. Without knowing how it is assembled, unscrewing does seem to be the method. I have managed to get it to rotate, but it is very, very stiff. Will investigate a new one.

I hate replacing something that is technically, not broken so is there any way to prevent this happening in the future? My guess would be, dismantle on an annual basis, clean and lube, but what do I know?

 

[polesapart]

Looks like https://www.screwfix.com/p/single-lever-mono-mixer-kitchen-tap-chrome/9192t

For the price not worth f***ing around with.

Brass is eminently recyclable.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks. easier to find Screwfix than Ikea.

 

[steven lee]

To answer your prevention question, it is mostly limescale and the O rings drying out that welds the spout up. When you fit the new one, put a smear of silicone grease on the spout O rings as it goes in, and wipe the base down with a descaler every few months. That keeps them moving. Cheap taps seize up quicker, so a branded one is worth the extra if you can.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks. I may try again before buying a new one.

As an aside, iside the body (after removing the cartridge, there is a part that seems to be aligned to the correct position by the small hex screw in the base. I removed the screw but could not get the tap apart. Do the two flexi pipes also assist in holding all the components together? or to phrase it another way, to separate, one has to remove the small hex screw AND the two flexi pipes? Then it should separate with minimal effort?

 

[steven lee]

Yes, on those mono mixers the two flexis screw straight into the body and hold the lower half in place, so the grub screw out and both flexis off before the sections will split. Don't expect it to just fall apart though, limescale usually welds it. Soak it with penetrating oil and work it gently, and if it still fights you that is the point most of us give up and fit the new one.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks and okie dokie. Will have another look before buying a replacement. Of course, there is alwsy the chance that in dismantling, , cleaning and reassembling, the seals become 'loose' and the neck leaks. Time will tell.