Tap Headgear problem? Hard to turn off tap

Skyhigh

In our bathroom the hot tap has become quite hard to turn off, you really really have to tighten it to stop it dripping.

I replaced the washer (1/2") on the tap and it seemed a little bit better for about a day or two. Then it was back to being really hard to turn off - or rather you have to tighten the tap to as far as it will go to stop it dripping.

I looked at the washer I'd put in and it's got quite an indentation from where it's sealed against the seat.

I checked the seat and it looks and feels fine (clean, shiny, smooth) - so I don't think it needs reseating....

Could I be missing something and the tap needs reseating (which may explain why you need to tighten the tap so much to get it to stop dripping).

Or could it be a problem with the headgear somehow?

Any idea's?

totalsolutions

Headgear-not sure of that term .....I would dismantle the tap and clean and regrease the internal threads, if that fails replace.

Skyhigh

I've greased the threads too, it's not that the tap is hard to turn, it turns well generally.

It's just you have to turn it really hard to get the washer to stop the water dripping (this is probably why it's so hard to turn, since it's being forced very hard onto the seat).
[Probably the reason why there's a large/deep indentation on the new washer]


Other issue that it causes is sometimes you turn the tap on and for about 1/2 turn to a full turn nothing happens, then suddenly the water comes out.
I assume it's because I'm forcing the washer onto the seal and it's clinging to it, so when we turn the tap on, it sits there a bit until the water pressure forces it off?

Canucklehead

Hi

If it's this type of headgear then you haven't stripped it down far enough.


Corgi Guy.

Skyhigh

I might have a look at the valve/headgear later tonight.

I found the type of tap we have, they're Bristan Club taps (1/2") on the Bristan website. I also found out that they have a 5 year guarantee. Seeing as the house is only 4 years old I gave them a call.

Very helpful and very knowledgeable, as Canucklehead suggested - they also said it was probably an issue with the inside of the valve furring up with calcium (we've got another tap with the same issue in the other bathroom also).

They're sending out a replacement valve, should be here tomorrow. Great customer service