Kitchen Tap low flow - new washer?

WestonDave

Our kitchen cold water tap is behaving very strangely. All other taps in the house including ones nearby from the same pipe are fine. We noticed that the flow had dropped a bit a few days back - now its tolerable first thing in the morning but by evening its barely a dribble.

Would I be right in thinking this is a washer on its way out? I suspect that the taps are old enough that its still a rubber washer rather than a ceramic disc but obviously until I can open it up at the weekend so I can find what replacement I need I won't be sure. If its likely to need a whole new tap I might go for the "get someone in" option!

tigeress289

If it is a single tap, then I would change the valve body. Cheaper to buy a pair in a kit and change both at same time. Most come with new Caps, saves changing the taps completely.

fwor

Is it mains supplied, rather than from the cold water tank?

If so it's quite possible that it's just crud that has come in via the mains. It's happened to mine - mostly small shavings of blue plastic mains pipe that gradually compact until you get no flow.

No cost to fix, but you may need to re-do occasionally depending on how lazy the water supply workers in your area are.