kitchen taps

blue-eyes1955

I have a monoblock kitchen tap which started dripping. I couldn't get a new ceramic thingy to fit so bought new Sofia tap from B & Q which was almost identical to my original tap. Main difference is that when the taps are off the levers stick out over the sink (and get in the way) and when the taps are turned on they are pushed to the back. Unfortunately my plumber says these cannot be changed.
Is that right? I went to B & Q and they said it was probably a fault with the tap but when they took a new one out of its box the B & Q plumber said it was the same - when on the taps are as in the picture but when off they point forward.
I thought swapping the hot and cold ceramic innards would do the trick but unfortunately it is impossible to remove them as they are done so tightly.
Also looking at the reviews on the B & Q site (done after the event naturally!) I'm not the only one with the problem.
Also, when the tap is turned off the water continues trickling for quite some time. My previous tap never did that.
Any ideas?

plumb1_2

You should be able to pull the heads off and turn them.

B&Q cheap far east crap. With the design of the spout it will always drip a little when turned off.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Take them back & get your money back & buy a decent tap.

If they argue about giving your money back tell them its faulty. They shouldnt trickle after the handle is switched off.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

plumb1 wrote: »

With the design of the spout it will always drip a little when turned off.

Not on small bore pipe. Unless its poor design it would hang unless you knocked it.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

"A previous review said the tap handles of the Sofia Monobloc Tap couldn't be fitted pointing sideways, as in the picture, but had to be pointing forwards and there was nothing their plumber could do about it. - luckily, we had an 'Andy', our B&Q Kitchen Fitter, who pulled them off, turned them 45 degrees and put them back on again - just as in the picture . . . Top Man! First Class Fitter!!"

............

blue-eyes1955

plumb1 wrote: »

You should be able to pull the heads off and turn them.

B&Q cheap far east crap. With the design of the spout it will always drip a little when turned off.

Thanks but that won't work. For example the cold tap is pointing straight at you and the only way to turn it is anti-clockwise, turning the water on and the handle is now out to the side. If you take the head off, turn it so that it is now straight out to the side then the only way to turn it is anti-clockwise so the handle is now facing backwards so it hits the wall!

Dripping a little is OK. Trickling out and losing another half pint of water is a bit much.

I agree I'll have to take them back but I'm concerned that the next taps I get are going to have the same problem.

blue-eyes1955

Quote:
"A previous review said the tap handles of the Sofia Monobloc Tap couldn't be fitted pointing sideways, as in the picture, but had to be pointing forwards and there was nothing their plumber could do about it. - luckily, we had an 'Andy', our B&Q Kitchen Fitter, who pulled them off, turned them 45 degrees and put them back on again - just as in the picture . . . Top Man! First Class Fitter!!"


I read that on a review but it doesn't work - see my explanation above.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

blue-eyes1955 wrote: »

Quote:
"A previous review said the tap handles of the Sofia Monobloc Tap couldn't be fitted pointing sideways, as in the picture, but had to be pointing forwards and there was nothing their plumber could do about it. - luckily, we had an 'Andy', our B&Q Kitchen Fitter, who pulled them off, turned them 45 degrees and put them back on again - just as in the picture . . . Top Man! First Class Fitter!!"


I read that on a review but it doesn't work - see my explanation above.

They are carp taps anyway.

The ceramic cartridge replacements come from China & a neighbour waited over 6 weeks to get hers & gave up in the end & I fitted a tap for her.

The likes of Bristan or Franke is the best bet for parts at a later date.

The handles fix onto the valve which most likely have a round cut geared head. It should be possible to move the handle around less than a quarter of a rev.

keystone

round cut geared head

splined old boy, splined.

Sorry - I'll get me coat then.

Cheers

blue-eyes1955

blue-eyes1955 wrote: »

I thought swapping the hot and cold ceramic innards would do the trick but unfortunately it is impossible to remove them as they are done so tightly.

After complaining to B & Q I was told that I was not the only one to have had this problem. After waiting two weeks I finally had a call suggesting I swap the hot and cold ceramic cartridges. This is what I had tried and failed to do. Anyway by then it was too late - I had already bought another set of taps (cheaper) which work correctly - so I got a refund from B & Q.