Springflow/Astracast TAP hard to turn

jon_ports

[FONT=&quot]Hi All.

Just wondered if any handy forum members could help by advising me on easing my Springlow tap - the cold side (dual feed) has become very hard to turn.

Have dismantled the tap innards - essentially two plastic barrels one inside the other. Both moving barrels are on the dry side of the washer so no apparent build up of lime scale - despite this have thoroughly cleaned & re-lubricated - not really any better.

Any ideas on how I might fix so my other half can turn the tap by herself much appreciated.

Additionally the Astracast spares website doesn’t seem to recognise my model of tape TP0416[/FONT].

keystone

jon_ports wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Hi All.

Just wondered if any handy forum members could help by advising me on easing my Springlow tap - the cold side (dual feed) has become very hard to turn.

Have dismantled the tap innards - essentially two plastic barrels one inside the other. Both moving barrels are on the dry side of the washer so no apparent build up of lime scale - despite this have thoroughly cleaned & re-lubricated - not really any better.

Any ideas on how I might fix so my other half can turn the tap by herself much appreciated.

Additionally the Astracast spares website doesn’t seem to recognise my model of tape TP0416[/FONT].

Cold tap in kitchen? Sounds like water company been doing some digging somewhere locally, stirred up all sorts of stuff in the mains pipework and the cartridge / filter on your tap has caught a load of it. Taking any tap cartridge to pieces isn't normally successful. TBH I'd suggest just change the whole cartridge. Astracast Tech Support will help you locate the correct one and will prolly have stock. Alternatively they can tell you where theres a distributor local to you. IIRC doesn't the website have a separate page on Springflow cartridges?

Cheers

jon_ports

Ah Thanks Keystone - however it is the actual tap mechanism that is hard to to turn, not the seperate water filter cartdridge (which is under the sink) itself which has been replaced.

It's the innards of the tap mechanism connected to the handle which are the problem.
very hard to turn water on or off.

keystone

jon_ports wrote: »

Ah Thanks Keystone - however it is the actual tap mechanism that is hard to to turn, not the seperate water filter cartdridge (which is under the sink) itself which has been replaced.

Ok belay the last pipe on that then.

It's the innards of the tap mechanism connected to the handle which are the problem.

very hard to turn water on or off.

Still a 1/4 turn ceramic disc cartridge though I think. I'd still replace it.

Cheers

Old-Timer_2

jon_ports wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Hi All.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Just wondered if any handy forum members could help by advising me on easing my Springlow tap - the cold side (dual feed) has become very hard to turn.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Have dismantled the tap innards - essentially two plastic barrels one inside the other. Both moving barrels are on the dry side of the washer so no apparent build up of lime scale - despite this have thoroughly cleaned & re-lubricated - not really any better.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Any ideas on how I might fix so my other half can turn the tap by herself much appreciated. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Additionally the Astracast spares website doesn’t seem to recognise my model of tape TP0416[/FONT].

Hi Jon-ports,

I came on the internet today (25/08/10) to find out if anyone was having problems with Astracast SpringFlow Taps.

I purchased a new SpringFlow Tap eighteen months ago (TAP0482) and found it quite stiff to turn before fitting it to the new Astracast Sink Unit.
I assumed it would eventually turn normally after use, but it didn't.
The Hot Tap was as normal, very easy to turn.

After twelve months, the Tap became almost impossible to turn especially after the HOT Tap had been used passing Hot Water.

I contacted Astracast and they told me that the Guarantee was only twelve months on Tap Inserts and that they would sell me a new insert, but I would have to purchase both the Hot and Cold Inserts as they were not sold separately. I ordered both inserts but only had to fit the cold one.

The New Insert was still quite stiff, but at least I could use the Tap.

The new Tap insert has been fitted now for seven months and has started to go very stiff again. I decided to contact Astracast again as the Insert is still under Guarantee. I asked them if they had any ideas as to what I could do and they have have sent me a replacement Cold Tap Insert 'Free of Charge'.

I have fitted the replacement Springflow Cold Tap Insert today (26/08/10) and find it turns much more easily than the original and also the one I purchased from Astracast. I am wondering if Astracast have reported the problem to their manufacturer who have now modified their specification.

This confirms that it is nothing to do with the Water Supply. In fact I live in Manchester where the Water is one of the best in the country.
I have changed the Springflow filter a number of times since fitting the tap, and no dirt has been found in it.

To me, it looks like a design problem which hopefully has been resolved.

UPDATE 8th September 2010.
THE NEW INSERT HAS BEEN USED NOW FOR THREE WEEKS AND IS FOUND TO BE EXCELLENT. It turns just as easily as the HOT TAP. It operates just like I expected it to have done when I purchased the Springflow Tap when new.