Dripping tap

bouicca21

Kitchen mixer tap drips when I turn off the cold water, not when I use the hot water.  How do I know whether this is a washer or disc?  How do I get into it?  YouTube video makes it look easy, find the grub screw, take the gubbins off and replace washer.  I can’t find a grub screw … I can’t see any way of getting at the innards. If I get into it are the washers a standard size?  Do I assume that because one side has gone I might as well replace the other even though it’s not yet a problem?

All hints welcome.  You cannot underestimate my ignorance of such matters.

Bendy_House

A photo of your actual tap would help a lot

Yes, it makes sense to swap both sides at the same time.

We can guide you on the approach once we know what sort of tap you have. For instance, do the tap handles turn multiple times, or just go through a quarter-turn?

bouicca21

Here are the photos.

bouicca21

I forgot to add, it’s a quarter turn.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you should be able to screw off the end cap with your fingers, though may be congealed.and need pliers.

Once you get that off, there will be a screw to remove and let you into the guts of the tap.

NSG666

That looks very much like a Deva Metropolis MET172 but it is definitely a 1/4 turn tap with ceramic disc cartridges.
If you get a mirror to look at the back of the tap body there will hopefully be a makers mark etched into it that will help confirm/identify the make of tap. Armed with that info you can find the spares online.

However. Not all ceramic disc cartridges are the same having a variety of different measurements so if you can't identify what the tap is it's a bit more complicated. You can remove one of the cartridges and see whether there are any id markings on it (usually around the collar) - if there are and you are lucky then you might be able to identify the cartridge(s) that you need online.

If none of the above, phone your local plumbers merchants to see whether they sell them - the one I used had a large kit to choose from. You'll need to remove a cartridge then take it along with the tap handle (splines are all different) and if you are lucky they will have a pair of replacements. Screwfix have a limited selection and if you don't open the packaging you can take them back.

FreeBear

[Deleted User] said: you should be able to screw off the end cap with your fingers, though may be congealed.and need pliers.

I find this to be a handy tool - https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-jar-opener/p/0511044 - Won't mark the chrome finish like pliers or mole grips. The end cap may be a friction fit and just pop off with the aid of a thin lever.

bouicca21

The back of the thingummy does indeed have some sort of model/manufacturers mark,  it says DCT34.

NSG666

bouicca21 said:

The back of the thingummy does indeed have some sort of model/manufacturers mark,  it says DCT34.

DCT does sound like a Deva tap - give them a call

Spares – Deva By Methven (deva-uk.com)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you do manage to get into the guts of the tap, then before going crazy and buying a new cartridge, why not try the cheaper options.

Take the cartridge apart, clean and soak in vinegar, reassemble and test.

Or get replacement parts and repair.

Just google for help, plenty on YouTube.

Belenus

If removing the end cap doesn't reveal the attachment screw then

1) try unscrewing the vertical cylindrical lever or

2) look for a screw opposite the lever on the underside facing the sink.