Dripping tap

dantheman2010

Hi

I have a set of mixer kitchen taps which were dripping approx every 5-10 secs so I replaced the ceramic cartridges and it is still dripping but now only every minute.

Now i dont know whether the previous ones dripped every minute because i wouldnt have noticed. If they didnt and/or arent supposed to drip what else could the cause be if it isnt the ceramic cartridges?

Is the only option is to replace the entire tap housing (more money).

Thanks

brightonman123

is it just washers need replacing? diy stores often have stuff like taps in their bargain bins..

dantheman2010

Erm where would the washers be located? I took the tap handle off, then the ceramic spindle out and thats what I replaced.

I thought ceramic cartridge taps were different to those that drip from the washer.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

southcoastrgi

even with ceramic disk you will have a washer on the bottom of the cartridge if the seating within the tap has a problem then these washers won't seal resulting in a drip, also a build up of scale within the spout will draw water up from the body, check in the morn after they haven't been used for some hrs, do they still drip ? if they don't it's the scale drawning water up & not the cartridges.

dantheman2010

They have been dripping for a few days and i am sure they are still dripping in the morning.

If so then what would you suggest? Remove the cartridge then what OR is it a case of replacing the whole mixer tap? I do have a spare set of mixer taps but thats gunna involve taking whole sink out as there isn much room to get at the underneath of taps to undo them hence only replacing cartridges this time round.

I'll double check in the morning but what if it is dripping (which im sure it will).

Thanks

southcoastrgi

dantheman2010 wrote: »

I do have a spare set of mixer taps but thats gunna involve taking whole sink out as there isn much room to get at the underneath of taps to undo them

welcome to our world


you can buy a set of long box spanners designed for un-doing the nuts on taps, but yes i agree sometimes it's not an easy job.

dantheman2010

So if it is dripping then is it a total replacement?

Suppose it will be easier to take sink off than buy and try the long spanners.

southcoastrgi

dantheman2010 wrote: »

So if it is dripping then is it a total replacement?

ceramic disks were never suppost to drip but hey welcome to the real world, if you have replaced the guts & it still didn't work then yes.

Suppose it will be easier to take sink off than buy and try the long spanners.

err NO i've never removed a sink to change the taps but if you want to do it yourself then feel free a plumber would prob cost you £40 - £60 to change the taps (labour only)

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dantheman2010

How much wud the spanners set me back? Is there a special name for them so i know what im looking for?

Ruski

dantheman2010 wrote: »

How much wud the spanners set me back? Is there a special name for them so i know what im looking for?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/Plumbers+Tools/Mono+Tap+Back+Nut+Box+Spanner+3+Piece/d10/sd210/p16973

There are used to undo the small securing nut on the long threaded screw, allowing you to pull the tap clear from above.
This is assuming that you've managed to disconnect the H&C elsewhere under the sink!

Russ