Help please, need to change washer on sin tap

rufusdog52

We have a dripping tap in the kitchen. We need to change the washer so had a look at some videos on youtube and they made it look easy. Trouble is we have managed to pry off the circle at the top of the tap and remove the screw underneath but then it says the top bit will just pull upwards to get to the bits underneath but we can't for the life of us get the tops off.

They are metal ones, like the normal hexagon shape or whatever. Looking inside you can see a cross of metal with the screw hole in the middle and can then see all the other bits of pipe etc underneath but the outer bits don't just pull up like on the videos.

Anyone know what we might be doing wrong please?

Suzy_M

Should the tops unscrew?

Avoriaz

How hard have you pulled? A strong pull may be all that is required. Try twisting to and fro as you pull.

Perhaps they have become a bit stuck with limescale etc.

Try tapping them with a rubber or protected hammer. Common sense should dictate how hard is safe.

You could also try gently levering them up by inserting a screwdriver blade underneath. Use something to protect the ceramic surface and tap.

rufusdog52

Thank you, we are going to have another go. My other half is quite strong and he couldn't just pull it off, he tried wiggling it about but it is stuck tight. Will try levering it and tapping with the hammer and see if it moves.

rufusdog52

Well we managed to get the top off, now we can't get the brass bit to turn with the spanner. Anyone know how to get it started please?

rufusdog52

Update .... we managed to get the brass bit out and have replaced the whole thing with a brand new one and fitted new tap handles as well but just put the water back on and its still dripping. Can't think why as the brass thing has a brand new washer on it. Is there anything else we can do to stop the drip?

keystone

Corrosion of the seat. You need a tap reseating tool like this one:



Cheap so it won't last forever but you don't need it to.

Cheers

rufusdog52

Thank you very much for that. I will try to pick one up tomorrow.

mikey72

I've always found it's been a bit of crud in the tap, washed up from outside. Try sticking your finger down the top, or have a look down with a torch first.

rufusdog52

I am back again, still having problems with said tap. We took out the insides of the tap and have fitted completely new fittings, still dripped. Did what above two kind people suggested, tested with finger, nothing in there. Bought the re-seating tool and watched a video online of how to do it, followed this and put tap back together, drip was still there but hardly any so left it overnight as knackered by then. Next morning the drip was back to fast drip like we had before so took tap apart again, noticed the ring inside still had a bit of black showing (had left it to OH to check last time) so he used the re-seating tool again so it looked nice and shiny all round. Put tap back together again and still got the same fast drip.

Is there anything else we can do with this please or is it going to be a case of buying new taps? Dont really want to if we can help it as I dont think either of us will be able to reach up underneath to do the washers up tightly so might have to take the whole draining board out to put the new taps on again (we have those flexible pipes under the sink).

Any help will really be appreciated.