Help needed on Broken Tap

flourpower

The hot tap on our bath has broken - the tap came off in my hand and there seems to be a screw that has sheared in half, meaning I can't turn the water off.
I've managed to almost stop the water running as it seems that the water runs when part of the tap (sorry can't me more technical than that!!) is pulled out and stops when it is pushed in, and I've managed to get it pushed partially in.
Is there a simple way of fixing this or do I need to get new taps ( it's part of a mixer set) and turn the water off tonight? Or worse still is it an emergency plumber job?

Any help would be appreciated as I've exhausted my very limited plumbing skills!!

Thanks.

squeaky

I'd be inclined to turn the water heating off and then let the hot water system drain down (if you're on a tank) or yes, isolate the hot water if you're on a combi boiler system.

It does sound like you might need a new tap if you can't repair the broken bit, but it doesn't need to be an emergency plumber job.

bruce2110

squeaky wrote:

I'd be inclined to turn the water heating off and then let the hot water system drain down (if you're on a tank) or yes, isolate the hot water if you're on a combi boiler system.

ok, if you can follow the advise above to isolate the hot tap, you may be able to fix the tap head quite simply. Depending on what type of system you have, ie if you have a cylinder you should be able to find a control valve on the down pipe from the loft which supplys your cylinder with cold water, if you can find this shut it then drain down your hot water at the kitchen sink, if it does not work or you cant find it, you may be better off calling a plumber in but not emergancy as they will charge a small fortune :rolleyes:

if its a combi boiler, just turn the power to your boiler then turn off your cold water supply and drain down from kitchen sink. Again if you are unable to do this then call a plumber in...

however, if you can get the water supply off, you should be able to remove the faulty bit yourself...

if you have have the tap head in your hand, you should be able to see a gold looking tap gut, it will have a set of teeth at the top and then a nut underneath which screws into the body of the mixer tap.

all you need to do is get an adjustable spanner or grips and then place on the nut loooking part of the tap gut then turn it firmly ANTICLOCK WISE, be carful not to slip with the spanner or grips as you dont want to damage the tap body, just remove the tap gut fully then take it and the tap head down to your local plumbing merchants who should be able to give you a replacement tap gut and new screw, to replace, just screw new tap gut in, then place head back on and screw down!! hopefully job done...

hope this helps...

Bruce2110