Temporary fix for leak under tap

Daniel86

Hi guys, we've got a leak under the bath tap, spraying into the bathtub and slowly getting bigger. We're getting a new bathroom soon so just wondering is there any temporary fix for this? Something I can put on it? Tried wrapping duct tape around it but that just made it spray in a different direction.

tacpot12

I think the temporary fix is going to require you to turn the water off to both taps, unscrew the spout from both taps, wrap PTFE tape around both threads (watch Plumberparts' youTube video on how to do this correctly), and refit the spout. 

Jeepers_Creepers

You've tried simply tightening it a fraction-turn?

Failing that, to remove it, PTFE tape it and refit is a straight-forward DIY job when you have the correct spanner :-) 

With the water shut off, of course.

Jeepers_Creepers

Meanwhile, wrap a strip of cloth around it tightly a few times to catch the spray, and leave the end dangling down into the bath - it should run off in there.

Belenus

Turn the water supply off and use self amalgamating tape rather than duct tape.

Stretch the tape a lot as you apply it and wind several layers and repeatedly press it into the tap.

Leave it as long as possible before restoring the water supply so the tape can solidify.

Wrap a plastic bag around it in case the tape ruptures and squirts water upwards or out of the bath.

I successfully repaired a split in an outside tap with that tape.

adonis

Doesn't that just have an o ring or washer on it? 

if you can with water off see what is under it and get a couple of replacements tomorrow from a plumbers merchant or somewhere like b and q

Jeepers_Creepers

Belenus said:

Turn the water supply off and use self amalgamating tape rather than duct tape.

Stretch the tape a lot as you apply it and wind several layers and repeatedly press it into the tap.

Leave it as long as possible before restoring the water supply so the tape can solidify.

Wrap a plastic bag around it in case the tape ruptures and squirts water upwards or out of the bath.

I successfully repaired a split in an outside tap with that tape.

But was the split on the mains pressurised side of your tap?!

I fear the OP will very quickly end up with an amalgamated tape balloon :-)   Which will then burst.

Belenus

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Belenus said:

Turn the water supply off and use self amalgamating tape rather than duct tape.

Stretch the tape a lot as you apply it and wind several layers and repeatedly press it into the tap.

Leave it as long as possible before restoring the water supply so the tape can solidify.

Wrap a plastic bag around it in case the tape ruptures and squirts water upwards or out of the bath.

I successfully repaired a split in an outside tap with that tape.

But was the split on the mains pressurised side of your tap?!

Yes it was. I didn't leave the mains on for long as there is an isolation valve inside the house.

I eventually removed the SA tape, repaired the split or crack with epoxy resin and then, when that was well cured, fitted a jubilee clip and reapplied SA tape over the lot.

It has been fine for over three years so far.

It was one of those outside taps that come with a length of 15mm pipe attached.

The alternative to a repair would have been to remove a recently fitted kitchen unit to gain access to the hole in the wall from inside.

I can access the isolation valve by poking a screwdriver through a small round hole made for that purpose in the back of the kitchen unit.

Belenus

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Belenus said:

Turn the water supply off and use self amalgamating tape rather than duct tape.

Stretch the tape a lot as you apply it and wind several layers and repeatedly press it into the tap.

Leave it as long as possible before restoring the water supply so the tape can solidify.

Wrap a plastic bag around it in case the tape ruptures and squirts water upwards or out of the bath.

I successfully repaired a split in an outside tap with that tape.

I fear the OP will very quickly end up with an amalgamated tape balloon :-)   Which will then burst.

That is an amusing possibility. Well, amusing if you are not the OP.  

That is why I advised a plastic bag over the taps.

andyhop

It’s a 3/4 rubber / fibre washer. 20p washer 

PTFE tape  should not be used, it won’t seal anything on these taps as it’s a flat face joint . All you’ll do is stretch the nut . 

Leethos

As above poster says, isolate the water (turn the stoptap off if it’s a combi boiler) undo the two 3/4 unions replace the washers and tighten it back up. Use an old rag inbetween the union and the face of the spanner to avoid scratching the chrome union.