Dripping tap - not as simple as the YouTube gurus suggest

Bendy_House

Yup, I think Barry will want to know how to remove the tap head from that ceramic cartridge - he might even have misunderstood what's meant by 'replacing the whole unit'?

Barry, does that tap head have a round central cap on the top that looks as if it can be unscrewed? If so, unscrew it. Failing that, it might be that one (or more) of the 4 'handles' has to be unscrewed.

Could you post a photo of the tap top, and ideally one from the side too?

greyteam1959

The big problem is that these days there are so many different tap cartridges.
Different number of splines different lengths etc etc.
By the time you have messed about it could be cheaper to replace the whole tap unit.

Barry_Spock

Thanks for all your responses.

These are the taps in question. I cannot unscrew the cold tap for the life of me (it's the hot tap i showed which unscrewed relatively easily) - anyone have any tips?

GDB2222

The round bit on top of the cross either unscrews or prises off.

undo the screw underneath and pull off the tap head.

use a spanner on the part underneath.

plumb1_2

GDB2222 said:

The round bit on top of the cross either unscrews or prises off.

undo the screw underneath and pull off the tap head.

use a spanner on the part underneath.

Correct as above, but you might need to tap the X head off with a small piece of wood and hammer ( gently) to avoid damage.

Barry_Spock

I tried prizing off originally with a tiny screwdriver but it didn't budge and made a small scratch so didn't want to damage any further.

plumb1_2

Barry_Spock said:

I tried prizing off originally with a tiny screwdriver but it didn't budge and made a small scratch so didn't want to damage any further.

Then it might unscrew, grips and a rag, the rags to protect the chrome, not to mop up your sweat 😅 

Barry_Spock

plumb1_2 said:

Barry_Spock said:

I tried prizing off originally with a tiny screwdriver but it didn't budge and made a small scratch so didn't want to damage any further.

Then it might unscrew, grips and a rag, the rags to protect the chrome, not to mop up your sweat 😅 

I'm sweating enough. Why do they make these things so difficult?

plumb1_2

There not difficult, each to their own so to speak.
I haven’t a clue about IT or what a brain surgeon does. Sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous.

Barry_Spock

Yay, did it - thanks so much guys. Erm, now what??