Kitchen tap problem

[jillyc]

Hi there. I have quarter turn porcelain handled kitchen taps and was having trouble turning the cold one off. I unscrewed the end and pulled the porcelain handle off and saw the problem, there was a little grey plastic cover (grooved) that was split, so the inside of the handle wasn't connecting into the grooves.

The trouble is I've been to a couple of plumber's merchants who tell me they can't supply the plastic insert. I don't know the tap manufacturer as they were there when we moved in. I don't want to have to spend money on new taps when all I need is a small piece of plastic! Any suggestions/advice in layman's terms would be very much appreciated, thank you!

 

[Softus]

Is it any of the following?

 

[jillyc]

Its along those lines, its grey, with a smooth collar of 6mm length, the rest of it is grooved, the total length is approx 15mm. Diameter is 11mm at smooth collar end... Thanks so much

 

[Softus]

I would say that it's time for a new tap.

Or, you could replace the handles with a pair that come with their own spline adaptors.

Or, you could replace the valve bodies with a more standard type that accepts a wider range of handles.

 

[apcosantana]

Not sure if this would help with your taps, but I had one with a split splined plastic socket and I bulked up the splined shaft by wrapping insulating tape round it and pushed the tap handle back on it. It lasted for some years, giving enough grip to turn on and off.

 

[jillyc]

I've tried the tape and it seems to be holding, thanks a million!