Dripping kitchen tap

JustAnotherSaver

We had a new sink including tap installed only a few years ago. Certainly no more than 4 years ago and if i had to call it i'd say probably 2-3 years ago.

This year it started dripping. I put my mug under it to catch the drip while i was out at work (so i was gone for 10-11 hours in total) and it filled most of the mug.






Looking at the tap i think it might be this one: https://www.carron.com/product/aztec/ as it looks pretty much like that.


How do you go about stopping this leak? I'm hoping it's an easy job since just about every professional we contact doesn't seem to like to return calls/emails/doesn't turn up on time/postpones.

NOTE: Any jargon will lose me. I'm no plumber, unless you say things like tap, cold, hot




And while on the topic of this, i'm hoping someone can settle a debate.
If moving the tap from side to side, i will hold the base (just above the hot & cold 'dials') and then move the head. My wife on the other hand just pushes/pulls the head of the tap and you can see the tap moving at the very base of itself (where it connects in to the sink). I'm not saying it's super loose and you can see gaps and it's popping out of the hole, but you can see it moving.
I can't imagine that this pulling on it can be not doing it any harm, which is why i hold at one point and turn another.


Am i just overthinking/overcautious (very likely) or not?

Browntoa

It's likely to be one of the tap valves , particularly if you are in a hard water area.

https://www.tapsandsinksonline.co.uk/product/carron-phoenix-aztec-tap-valve/

Easy job for a plumber or a competent diy'er

JustAnotherSaver

Browntoa wrote: »

It's likely to be one of the tap valves , particularly if you are in a hard water area.

https://www.tapsandsinksonline.co.uk/product/carron-phoenix-aztec-tap-valve/

Easy job for a plumber or a competent diy'er

Well we're not really in a hard water area so would the same still apply?


And why is it likely to have gone after only a couple of years? Do these parts only last that long?


Finally, can't it just be an ok job for a DIYer? Does it have to be a competent one? :rotfl:I'd need to find myself one of those.

societys_child

4 yrs / 2-3 yrs / 2 yrs which is it?


But, yes ceramic cartridges can start to leak in those short times.


However I've never bought new ones.
Some have been installed around 15 years, I just remove, dismantle, clean and refit them. I can do it, so it can't be that difficult . . .

FreeBear

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I'm not saying it's super loose and you can see gaps and it's popping out of the hole, but you can see it moving.

Have a look under the sink - You should see a bolt head protruding from the bottom of the tap assembly. Get a small spanner or adjustable on it and tighten the bolt up just a smidgen. Stainless steel sinks have a bit of flex in them, so some slight movement of the tap is expected, but you shouldn't see any gaps under it.

EssexExile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyfL2wLqPbA

JustAnotherSaver

societys_child wrote: »

4 yrs / 2-3 yrs / 2 yrs which is it?

Who knows. Once i find my time machine i'll let you know, since it was a cash in hand job and i've no way of telling when it was

I can do it, so it can't be that difficult . . .

:rotfl:
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: yeah right, you've never met me

FreeBear wrote: »

but you shouldn't see any gaps under it.

You don't. I clearly phrased it wrong as i never said you do see gaps.


I should post a video of what i'm talking about, it'd explain it so much better.

Clive_Woody

If it is the tap you link to then there are PDF instructions on what to do if the tap starts to drip


If the fitting begins to drip:
1) Turn off the water supply
2) Loosen grub screw under handle lever, remove handle and valve
3) Carefully clean seating, rubber washer and ceramic disc.
4) Replace valve and handle, then turn on the water supply.
5) If problem persist contact our help line quoting the product code.

https://www.carron.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Aztec_Installation.pdf