Plumbing Help - tap washer

Huggy_Bear

Hello

I can't seem to turn my bathroom tap off:eek: and for the love of god cannot find how you take the top of tap off to replace the washer (maybe you can't). I can't post photos but this is a link to a pic of the tap. Anyone got any ideas how you can the washer?


photo now deleted

hc25036

I'm no plumber but have changed a fair few tap washers! Is it hot or cold that keeps running? The washers (one for each tap) will be under the white tap covers - there may be a small screw somewhere that you will need to loosen, otherwise just pull upwards. Looking at the scale around, things may be very tight and it might be worth soaking well with some vinegar or scale remover if you have some.

Once you have the washer off (remember to turn the water off first!), go to your friendly plumbing supplier who will hopefully have the right one - if not a "tap reviver" will be needed (basically the washer and the tap cover together....

Good luck!

greyteam1959

Just pull upwards on the tap ???

Beat me to it !!!

greyteam1959

If you can get under the bath there may be an online stop valve.......might save you wasting loadsa hot water !!

Huggy_Bear

Thanks!
I've got the water turned off, so will trying pulling!!:T

ormus

usually theres a thin cap on the top, remove the cap using a thin sharp blade, and theres a screw underneath to remove the tap handle/knob/lever.
then remove the head gear with a spanner or grips. you will then see the washer etc.


turn the water off first!

keystone

These type of handles just pull off and push on. It looks old enough that there will be conventional tap head gear inside. Will look similar to this:



The handle pushes onto the splined part at 1. It may well have a plastic insert splined part inside it (the handle that is).

You release the headgear from the tap body by using a spanner on 3.

The O ring at 4 provides the seal.

Check first that the ways are not blocked by some sort of carp. If the ways and the seat (the part the washer (5.) closes onto) are clear then you'll most likely need to replace the washer or sometimes you can just turn it over and use the other side. In the example above the washer is held on by the nut fixing (6.) This unscrews. Other types may just have a peg you just push the washer over. If you need a replacement ask your plumbers merchant for a ½ or 3/4 inch tap washer whichever is appropriate and get a couple of spares whilst you are there.

In a bath mixer tap the cold and hot ways are copnnected unlike a kitchen tap. So make sure you turn off BOTH hot and cold supplies before removing the headgear.

HTH

Cheers

Huggy_Bear

Thanks for everyone's help.

After a number of trips to B&Q it's now FIXED. I replace the valve in the end. Very chuffed with my efforts