Tap neck leak

[keser]

Hi Guys and Gals
This tap is leaking from the neck when I turn it and when I turn water on
Undid the screw and found the o ring had snapped
Trouble is when I try to pull the tap out it seems stuck ? Do I just give it plenty more welly or is this particular tap attached underneath the sink
Any advice gratefully listened and acted on
Cheers

 

[CBW]

Are you trying to pull the tap out or the rest of the spout? If the latter, then it should come out with a little more force.

 

[keser]

Yes I am trying to pulling tap out , I haven’t given it real effort yet but I will, however some else suggested unscrewing the tap at the top where the filter is so the neck screw will come off then slip a new O ring down the tap into the place of the top o ring…. Sounds feasible but if there is a bottom o ring I wouldn’t be able to change that, wonder if I should try this and put back together and see if that works?

 

[CBW]

If you’re trying to pull the tap out, then you’ll need to isolate the water and disconnect it underneath. Probably easier getting O-ring washers for the spout.

 

[Madrab]

Some of these need lifted so far and then twisted through 90/180 deg. Have you also checked at the back to see if there's a grub screw in there?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

No need to remove the tap, if it's leaking around the bottom of the spout where it enters the tap, you just need to remove a grub screw which retains the spout.

On an older tap, it might be leaking due to wear of the metal parts, so simply replacing the O ring with the correct one, still will not seal it. So if you have doubts - buy a range of thicknesses of O ring, of the same internal diameter. A thicker one might make it difficult to turn at first until it beds in, but some suitable potable grease on the O ring will help.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If the snapped O ring you are referring to is the top white plastic one, it is not an O ring but a (normally) split white nylon washer to help keep the spout upright.
2. As others above have said, you don't need to remove the tap to remove the spout.
3. The sort you have normally comes out once you have undone the screwed collar holding it to the body of the tap, as you have already done.
4. Try the suggestions above of twisting it at different angles or making sure there isn't a grub screw in the body of the tap below the base of the spout holding the spout in. If fitted, usually at the back of the tap.
5. Often the seals are not traditional O rings with a circular cross section, but rubber seals with a square / rectangular cross section. These are more difficult to obtain.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

4. Try the suggestions above of twisting it at different angles or making sure there isn't a grub screw in the body of the tap below the base of the spout holding the spout in. If fitted, usually at the back of the tap.

Where it is almost impossible to see, or properly access

 

[keser]

Thanks guys
All great suggestions
I do know the plastic nylon is meant to be split
No grub screw on back of this tap
The top black O ring has split and is broken and I will do as Harry said and buy a range of them and slip them over the tap to see if that does the trick as I’m still wary of giving it the big welly , I’ll let you know

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks guys
All great suggestions
I do know the plastic nylon is meant to be split
No grub screw on back of this tap
The top black O ring has split and is broken and I will do as Harry said and buy a range of them and slip them over the tap to see if that does the trick as I’m still wary of giving it the big welly , I’ll let you know

You might be able to buy a more appropriate to your needs range, from a bearing and seal specialist, who will keep several closely matched thicknesses. Have you a digital vernier, to be able to measure the size and thickness accurately?

 

[keser]

Gaw
Gawd no Harry, just thought I’d try the broken one along to the plumber merchants and he would advise?

 

[Madrab]

Must be honest, it all seems a bit of faff. How old is the tap, does it owe you anything?

Not just be easier just replacing it for a well known make so next time spares will be easy to obtain?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Must be honest, it all seems a bit of faff. How old is the tap, does it owe you anything?

Not just be easier just replacing it for a well known make so next time spares will be easy to obtain?

I had to do the very same fix, a few years ago and yes - well worth the effort to retain the old tap, which was bought as a combo matched to the sink. The alternative of spending hours searching for a similar match, suitable for a low pressure hot supply just didn't appeal, compared to just finding a new O ring of the right size. I managed to source the correct size thickness, but due to wear of the metal, that also leaked slightly. I then managed to find a slightly thicker one, which allowed the spout to be forced in with a bit of effort, but fully sealed the spout. It was very tight, too tight to swivel, so I reassembled with some lubricant, which made it just about acceptable. In the months since then, with use it has bedded in and become much better.

What is worth while for a DIY fix, is considerably different to what becomes worth while when you are paying someone for a fix.