Kitchen tap

[george121212]

Hi I have moved into a new house and noticed that water is seeping through the point between the tap and the work surface.

The kitchen top is granite with mdf underneath. The mdf is also wet.

I am going to put a new tap in but hoped for your advice on how to improve the setup here to prevent water seeping through the base.

Thanks in advance please see photos

 

[nitro23456]

Ensure the washer is there under the tap on top of the work surface.

You could also use plumbers mate between the mdf on the underside and the washer before tightening the back nut up.

 

[terryplumb]

Hard to tell from pics ,but it appears that the rubber seal between tap and worktop isn't centred.
Purchasing a new tap with larger diameter base would be helpful ,just in case the hole in worktop is a bit larger diameter than ideal.

 

[george121212]

Thanks for the helpful replies and comments,
Was thinking of taking the old tap out and letting the mdf dry for a few days.

Then placing some new mdf over the old damp mdf with a new hole in so that the new nut has a firmer support.

Would that work?

 

[opps]

Are you replacing the tap because of the water, or because you want a new tap?

Taps often have an o-ring that sits in a groove under the base, which should be wider than the hole in the granite. If might simply be the case that yours is not centered correctly.

That said, years ago I had a Hans Grohe tap that swivelled at the base that used to leak at the base because on of the orings on the ceramic cartridge had failed.

 

[CACKATALLTRADES]

I agree with Terry.

I have the same issue with new bath taps, my intention is to drill a snug hole through a bit of ply and glue concentrically to the underside.

 

[george121212]

Thanks for the good advice, will do a combination of the above, the wife wants a new tap!

 

[Madrab]

I wouldn't use a piece of MDF rather a piece of 9mm ply or similar, much more robust in the event it gets wet IMO.

Before you fit the tap, add a little bead of silicone where the washer sits in the base ring, then attach the washer/seal and apply another little fillet. When the tap it tightened it will fill into the gaps. Tap manufacturers are notorious for not making the seals in the base ring large enough for normal sink tap holes and unless it's exactly centered the seal invariably gets pinched and doesn't sit right.

 

[george121212]

Hi I have taken and removed the old tap, my new tap has a horseshoe base rather then the circular hex nut base. Would you recommend stripping out the damp mdf and attaching underneath? Or letting it dry out and attaching some 9mm ply over the mdf and then securing the tap on with the horseshoe mount? Thanks

 

[george121212]

Great advice madrab secured with some ply underneath lovely secure tap, the Mrs is happy!

Thank you

 

[Deleted member 294929]

I think there is a base plate missing. So new tap just may be the easiest thing to do..

 

[george121212]

Your right myname is bod, the first copper tap had no base plate so had been weeping throught for a while. I installed the new silver one as per photo and the base plate is centered and water tight.

 

[Deleted member 294929]

Your right myname is bod

That's funny
...that's my name...

 

[george121212]

Hi sorry to reopen this thread unfortunately I have noticed the mdf is wet and there is some dripping under the cabinet.

Installed a new tap and the tap and fittings are completely dry , also under the tap base the worktop and tap base is bone dry adding silicone there won't make a difference I think. I think the water ingress is from where the basin meets the ceramic worktop particularly at the point I am pointing to. You can see on the added ply around the are where the tap is is dry.

Wondered what your thoughts are on strengthening this area? Not sure how it fits? Thanks

 

[terryplumb]

There should be a seal / sealant between the sink and the underside of the worktop. Examine it ,maybe with the aid of a mirror ,to see if it's intact.