No cold water in bathroom basin

[carolcarol]

Hi, an elderly lady I know has just phoned me because she can not get any cold water from her basin tap, the toilet is filling normally, she has a cold water tank in the attic, and a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard.

Her downstairs taps are all fine. Any ideas as to the cause? thanks.
carol

 

[moggridgeplumbing]

Is the tap stuck or very stiff, or is it just turning round and round? Check that before anything else.

 

[carolcarol]

Thanks for replying, it is very stiff, and when she turns it on there is a dribble of water

 

[moggridgeplumbing]

The valve is stuck and needs either regreasing or changing.

 

[carolcarol]

Okay thanks, is that something a dumb blonde could do??

 

[Diyisfun]

Depends how dumb.
You will need to take the top of the tap off, you will need an adjustable spanner.

 

[carolcarol]

lol not completely dumb! I know how to turn the water off to the tap, and I own an adjustable spanner.

However I have no idea what to do after I have taken the top off the tap.

The tap looks like the first tap on this page: http://www.julieshomestore.co.uk/page21.htm

 

[moggridgeplumbing]

You got it blondie! Get a tap reviver kit, it will be cheaper than you hunting around for a valve that fits your existing head.

 

[moggridgeplumbing]

When you get the tap head off. The valve needs to be undone with a wrench or spanner anti clockwise whilst you hold the body of the tap from moving.

 

[Diyisfun]

You got it blondie! Get a tap reviver kit, it will be cheaper than you hunting around for a valve that fits your existing head.

So strange Im just on my way to collect my tap reviver kit
CarolCarol Screwfix product no 20140 £13.97

I had a stiff one (on my basin last year) couldnt get the correct washer.
Now the bath is getting on my nerves, cant be asked to hunt for the correct washer, so change the lot.

 

[carolcarol]

A tap reviver kit it will be! Thanks for the help.

 

[carolcarol]

When you get the tap head off. The valve needs to be undone with a wrench or spanner anti clockwise whilst you hold the body of the tap from moving.

Dumb blonde question!! How do you stop the body of the tap moving??

 

[moggridgeplumbing]

How do you explain this one! Here goes - If you use another adjustable wrench (with something soft between the jaws) on the tap spout you put equal pressure on both wrenches. One to hold the tap still, and the other one to undo the tap valve. If the valve is easy to undo then you can probably just hold it by hand.

Does that explain it or have I complicated thing for you?

 

[carolcarol]

How do you explain this one! Here goes - If you use another adjustable wrench (with something soft between the jaws) on the tap spout you put equal pressure on both wrenches. One to hold the tap still, and the other one to undo the tap valve. If the valve is easy to undo then you can probably just hold it by hand.

Does that explain it or have I complicated thing for you?

That explained it perfectly. Thanks

 

[Diyisfun]

lots of tips here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13SbhjVR71M