Dripping tap

GDB2222

The end cap looks like it's just dying to pop off (with a knife) or be unscrewed. If unscrewing, don a rubber glove to get a better grip.

Once the handle is off, you'll need a large adjustable spanner. Do you have one?

bouicca21

My elementary toolkit does include an adjustable spanner.  Not that I’ve ever attempted to use it.  This is going to be a journey of discovery!

GDB2222

bouicca21 said:

My elementary toolkit does include an adjustable spanner.  Not that I’ve ever attempted to use it.  This is going to be a journey of discovery!

As long as you turn the water off before starting you can't go too far wrong!

Turn water off, then open the tap. Does any water come out? There'll be an initial gush possibly, then should be nothing.

bouicca21

Does turning the water off mean at the stopcock?  I do actually know where that is. Sorry to sound so naive but there’s no point in me pretending to know things that have always been a mystery to me.  

Deva have been been very helpful so I now know the model and have ordered the cartridges.  Cross fingers I think I’ve worked out to get at the innards.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you may have isolator valves under the sink.

neilmcl

bouicca21 said:

Does turning the water off mean at the stopcock?  I do actually know where that is. Sorry to sound so naive but there’s no point in me pretending to know things that have always been a mystery to me.  

Deva have been been very helpful so I now know the model and have ordered the cartridges.  Cross fingers I think I’ve worked out to get at the innards.

Yes as you need to completely shut off the cold water flow, and let all the water drain out from the tap.

GDB2222

Boudicca, just be clear that the only thing holding the water inside the pipe is the part of the tap you need to remove. If the water is on when you remove that part, the water pressure is enough for it to hit the ceiling and it will continue gushing until you find some way to turn it off. House insurance may not cover the damage!

It doesn’t matter whether you turn off the main stop tap or an isolation valve. Better still turn off both. But check that it is off before removing anything.

Bendy_House

Look under the sink and try and find the two pipes that supply the tap. Now check if there are valves on them as Frugal has shown above.

If there are, then just give the one that's supplying the side you are taking apart a quarter-turn, so the screw slot is at right-angles to the direction of the pipe. Turn on that tap, and nothing should come out (apart from a brief pulse).

If that's the case, then carry on taking your tap apart  

If the pipes do NOT have these isolating valves on them, then you'll likely need to shut off the MAIN stopcock coming into the house. Shutting this off should 'immediately' turn off the COLD side of your kitchen tap, but the hot depends on the type of water system you have. If you have a 'combi' boiler, then the hot - too - should shut off right away.

Section62

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

you may have isolator valves under the sink.

GDB2222 said:

It doesn’t matter whether you turn off the main stop tap or an isolation valve. Better still turn off both. But check that it is off before removing anything.

Personally, if there is a main stop tap I'd turn the water off there (only) and not touch the wretched isolator valves.

Otherwise the next job on the list could be buying and fitting replacement isolator valves when they decide to start leaking.

neilmcl

Section62 said:

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

you may have isolator valves under the sink.

GDB2222 said:

It doesn’t matter whether you turn off the main stop tap or an isolation valve. Better still turn off both. But check that it is off before removing anything.

Personally, if there is a main stop tap I'd turn the water off there (only) and not touch the wretched isolator valves.

Otherwise the next job on the list could be buying and fitting replacement isolator valves when they decide to start leaking.

Not much point having isolation valves if they're not going to be used.