Kitchen Mixer Tap is leaking (a lot)!

Crabman

Hey everyone,

Our kitchen mixer tap is leaking (hot water only) - we've tried replacing the washer but to no avail now it's really flowing and seems no way to stop it apart fromputting pressure on the actual knob which reduces it to a drip. However it's draining all the hot water but not much I can do about it - I phoned my usual plumber who seems to have disappeared and a random local plumber was quite rude when I asked if he was available.

So, peeps, I'm coming to you for any advice at all. I think the whole fitment needs replacing but is there any way we can relieve the situation we're in at the moment??

Thanks in advance

Crabman :beer: :cool:

catkins

Switch off water supply. Remove tap handle and unbolt the brass fitting below. Take it to either local plumbers merchant or B&Q and see if you can get one the same before paying out for whole new tap. Good luck.

p4u1_2

I would suggest removing the tap inners, as you did to replace the washer. Check that the washer you fitted it the right size, and that the mechanism works correctly, i.e. turn the knob, check that the piston moves up and down smoothly. Finally check inside the tap to ensure the seat that the washer seals against is not damaged. If it is you can buy a tool to re-cut it, but depending on the how old the taps are, it might be worth buying new.

Crabman

Thanks for that - unfortunately it started flowing uncontrollably so we had a plumber out who replaced the whole knob (no innuendo please ) and also the thing we used pliers to undo was completely worn out - I think it was needed though :think: Anyway it's all fixed now - I think it could have been the washer being wrong size but the tap was so old it needed replacing I think. Thanks peeps and big thanks to robowen too :T :cool: