Bathroom tap problems.

anotherquestion

Hi there folks, and hope you had a great start to the new year.

A few tap problems here so running it past your good selves for advice.

1 Bathroom basin tap downstairs, the screw underneath the tap securing it in place inside the vanity unit has totally rusted and broken off, about seven years old. Tap hot and colds funning fine only can move the whole tap about, replacement screw to hold it in place or new Tap do you think?

2 Bathroom upstairs basin is a pop up waste, hot was dripping, so have that switched off for a few years ( I turned it to off with the screw on the flexible piping)  I think it will be a new Tap there, but can I use a clicker tap instead of the pop up, or can you see any probs with doing that?

I will be getting a plumber in to do it, so any ideas as to what to buy at Screwfix for the bathroom upstairs.

Many thanks for any advice.

ThisIsWeird

Provided the loose tap is otherwise working fine, and you are happy with its condition and appearance, then a plumber should be able to fit a new nut in a matter of minutes.

If you fancy a change, then just ensure you get taps that'll fit! Most are a straight swap. One potential issue is if the existing tap is supplied by a rigid copper pipe, and replacement taps may have a different-length threaded connector, so they may need to redo the pipe and connector to it. However, if your taps are supplied via flexi pipes, that shouldn't be an issue.

You can fit any tap type you like - press, lever, ceramic-cartridge, whatevs. Quarter-turn ceramic valve taps are less likely to put a turning strain on your nuts. Ooh-er, missus.

You can also replace your waste plug with a clicker type - that will need the whole waste assembly changing. The plumber may decide to remove the whole basin for this, if it makes it easier.

If you post photos of your current setup, we can advise further.

grumbler

anotherquestion said:

2 Bathroom upstairs basin is a pop up waste, hot was dripping, so have that switched off for a few years ( I turned it to off with the screw on the flexible piping)  I think it will be a new Tap there, but can I use a clicker tap instead of the pop up, or can you see any probs with doing that?

 Personally, I don't like click wastes. Whenever I see them, they either don't work well or are stuck. Possibly, I'm just unlucky.

I will be getting a plumber in to do it, so any ideas as to what to buy at Screwfix for the bathroom upstairs.

Most modern monoblock taps have this sort of fixing, but this isn't the only type.

No sure if SF sell them.

nofoollikeold

1. Downstairs bathroom basin:
1.1 If it were me, I'd replace the fixing to the existing tap. 
1.2 If replacing, make sure minimum pressure rating for new tap matches system.  Roughly speaking if water (hot and/or cold) is tank fed (but see below), you'll need taps to work on a minimum 0.4 bar pressure.  If you have a combi boiler, or any sort of boiler and an unvented cylinder with cold water off the mains, pretty much any tap will do.
2. Upstairs basin tap.
2.1 Agree with grumbler.  "Click-clack" wastes don't work well for very long, particularly in hard water areas.
2.2 Consider changing the cartridge in the hot tap and keeping the taps.  
2.3 If changing taps, same rules as 1.2 above apply, except that the available pressure from any tank fed (except unvented) supply likely to be 0.2 bar at best.

anotherquestion

Thanks for all replies. So it seems I can simply just replace fixing bolt on tap downstairs.

Thanks all for advice about avoiding the click clack plug.

As regards tap upstairs that was installed when I did bathroom in 2000, not so sure if its possible to replace cartridge, wish it was.
Here is a pic though I can't see any brand make on tap.
That waste plug hole is approx 40mm diameter of actual hole itself, without surround.
It does seem a bit of an elaborate connecting for waste in basin so probably might go just for ordinary tap no waste pop up plug if I could get a plug to fit that 400mm plug hole.

nofoollikeold

1. If that is a 1/4 turn tap (i.e. turn handle 90 degrees from on to off) you should be able to get a new cartridge for it.  To do so:
1.1 Isolate water.
1.2 Remove handle.  Unscrew knurled ring holding "hot" "cold" index in place.  Remove screw, pull off handle.  If very tight, pour very hot (not boiling) water over tap to try and loosen.
1.3 Remove shroud (round chrome bit below handle).  Use something like a boa wrench, or grips and some rubber or leather to protect chrome.  Be careful, those shrouds can be very thin.  Repeat hot water trick if necessary.
1.4 Unscrew tap works.  Usually a brass hexagon just above the main chrome body of the tap.  You may need a fair bit of force so get someone else to hold spout so prevent tap turning.  If necessary, an F spanner over the spout for extra leverage, but again protect chrome.
1.5 Obtain and fit new cartridge.
2. If it is a multi-turn tap (which it looks like):
2.1 Steps 1.1 to 1.4 as above.
2.2 Fit a new 1/2" rubber tap washer.  
2.3 Re-assemble.
2.4 If it still drips, seat may be damaged.  In which case re-seat with something like Screwfix item 89487