Need Advice - Leaking Kitchen Tap

[pete1412009]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction. My kitchen tap has started leaking. It’s not gushing water, but it’s dripping steadily and I know it’s something that probably should be an easy fix.

I am a complete novice when it comes to plumbing. I don’t have much more than the basic tools and I’ve never repaired a tap before. I’ve read online that it could be a washer issue, but I’m not sure how to tell which one it is or what parts I’d need.

I have included a couple of pictures that might help.

Could anyone please give me a step-by-step guide on diagnosing the cause and fixing it? Also, any beginner tips or “don’t do this” advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. I’d love to tackle this myself without making it worse!

 

[avonmouth]

It will probably be a ceramic cartridge and not a washer inside that tap.
have a look at ......

New Valve Tap Replacement Ceramic Disc & Silicon Washer Gasket Insert 1/2'' UK on ebay​

it is quite a simple job

 

[polesapart]

Turn off water.

Pry off the small cover on the side of the handle.

Unscrew the cross-head brass screw now revealed.

Pull off handle.

Unscrew cartridge with adjustable wrench on the large hex.
Can also use a ratchet with a deep socket if you have a set of these.
Support tap body whilst doing this.

Take cartridge and handle to local plumbing merchant. Buy new cartridge(s) to match.
The body length and number of splines are variable: check carefully at the counter.
Usually sold as a pair.

Refit in reverse order and test.

 

[avonmouth]

Turn off water.

Pry off the small cover on the side of the handle.

Unscrew the cross-head brass screw now revealed.

Pull off handle.

Unscrew cartridge with adjustable wrench on the large hex.
Can also use a ratchet with a deep socket if you have a set of these.
Support tap body whilst doing this.

Take cartridge and handle to local plumbing merchant. Buy new cartridge(s) to match.
The body length and number of splines are variable: check carefully at the counter.
Usually sold as a pair.

Refit in reverse order and test.

Or just change the ceramic disc for £3 as above after removing the cartridge.Some of them cartidges can be expensive.

 

[pete1412009]

Hi both, thanks for the help.

This is as far as I have got - see attached pics. I now need to unscrew the cartridge.

I guess I do not know at this stage which tap is affected?

 

[Madrab]

It looks like just a plain generic sink tap so It'll probably take a generic 1/2" ceramic valve. Just change them both. usually one of 4 or 5 types.

As suggested take the valve to a supplier and check the sizes, spline number of teeth and spline height. Or count the splines and measure them and get the same ones.

https://www.screwfix.com/search?search=tap+reviver+kit

Don't forget to turn off the water before you undo the old valves. .