replacing/fixing a kitchen sink mixer tap

balletshoes

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice before I call the plumber in the morning -

basically, the mixer bit of my kitchen sink tap has come off, I can literally lift it right off the tap connection. Is this fixable, or will I need a new tap fitment? When it was working, you could move the mixer bit around to where it suited you best, and ideally I'd like that again, but if it can't be repaired then just a mixer tap that works would be okay too.

Does anyone know how much this is likely to cost (either option)? I'll need a plumber to do it, I haven't got a clue.

eta - I'm in the Midlands.

Crinkmeister

Usually the neck is fixed either by a small grubscrew (which will be at the back) or by a collar at the base of the neck which screws on.

A.Penny.Saved

A few pictures would help a lot.

Could you post one of the whole tap so we know what it is like and a closer one of the broken mixer handle and another of the actual part that has come away. Any holes were a screw might fit.

balletshoes

okay, here goes -

the whole fitment -



the bit that has come off completely -



the top of the tap/pipe part (theres a little nick out of the rim right in the centre at the top, but I don't know if that would have been where a screw would go? I can't find any little bits around the tap area which might have come off this) -



and the lifted off part of the tap -

Avoriaz

We used to have a mixer tap a bit like that.

The spout part was designed to come off. If it was turned 90 degrees it would lift out. Yours may be like that.

Try cleaning all the limescale off it and maybe it will be ok.

Buy some citric acid or a limescale remover.

balletshoes

Avoriaz wrote: »

We used to have a mixer tap a bit like that.

The spout part was designed to come off. If it was turned 90 degrees it would lift out. Yours may be like that.

Try cleaning all the limescale off it and maybe it will be ok.

Buy some citric acid or a limescale remover.

thanks, i'll give that a go - the limescale looks to be mostly on the outside of the fitment, but anything is worth a try.

A.Penny.Saved

I would say that either a grub screw has come undone which held the mixer in place or something has broken off or fractured.

In either case I doubt that you will be able to fix it easily, without removing the tap to get at the grub screw, even if you manage to find it.

It might be worth you finding a handyman to replace the tap with a new one because it looks fairly worn.

They are fairly inexpensive in most of the DIY sheds and it's the cost of replacing it which would cost. That's where a decent DIY orientated OH pays off because these types of job are not difficult for anyone who has a little DIY ability. lol

It's a single hole monobloc mixer that you need if you replace it. There are 2 hole kitchen taps which are not suitable. Really you need someone to check the pipe connections to find out how easily it would be to replace. eBay seems about the cheapest place for taps. There is one for under £10 delivered on eBay.
Example only
Do not just buy this because it probably will not be a drop in replacement due to different pipework connections!

There are different type of internal valves, old style rubber which require maintenance and newer ceramic which are practically maintenance free. Costs vary, ceramic being fairly expensive.

Be careful what you do with the tap if it is still basically working! If you are using it then only turn the tap on slowly or the mixer could be pushed off and water could go all over the worktop and floor.

southcoastrgi

there is or would have been a ball bearing in the spout which goes into that cut out bit in the tap body, if it's still there line them up (put some grease around the o rings first) push the spout in prob solved, if the ball bearing is no longer there then it's new tap time

balletshoes

thanks again guys - there is a little ball attached to the spout, but i haven't been able yet to align it and then get it to fit down into the rim of the tap (the spout still sits up above the rim of the tap fitment).
Also, i fished out a very small black plastic/rubber ring (ie smaller circumference than a fingernail) from the tap fitment part - would this have been part of the assembly? Any idea what part? It looks worn and almost perished on one side of the ring.

The tap does still work, but I'm not using it at all as the water can't get up the spout because I can't fit it onto the taps. I'm off to my local hardware shop after work to get some proper limescale cleaner, then I'll see how I get on from there.

chrisw

balletshoes wrote: »

I'm off to my local hardware shop after work to get some proper limescale cleaner, then I'll see how I get on from there.

I wouldn't bother, it looks like it's seen better days anyway. Get somebody in to replace the tap.

Avoriaz

chrisw wrote: »

I wouldn't bother, it looks like it's seen better days anyway. Get somebody in to replace the tap.

30p worth of citric acid or a limescale remover and a few minutes work could see that tap looking like new again.

Unless something is broken beyond repair there is no reason not to just clean it up and keep using it.