Leaking Kitchen Tap

MarinaTrench

Hi,
     My Kitchen mixer tap is leaking from the handle (cold water).
Having seen some videos online it seems that a washer or tap cartridge might need replacing.

On the side of the handle of the tap there is a screw which I removed. However the Handle cap does not come off as I would expect and as shown in the youtube videos. 

I have attached some pictures. Can you advise how to fix this tap, will the handle cap come off ? and if so how ?

Finally I have turned the mains supply tap off. However we have a sealed heating system (system boiler) . Are there any special precautions that I need to take or can I just take the cold water cap off after turning off the mains ?

Many thanks for your advise.

Mt.

victor2

It's probably just corroded on. A sharp tap with a mallet or similar might release it. Or use a large flat blade screwdriver between the handle and tap body, but that risks damaging both, so do it near the back, out of sight, if you can.

Check under the sink if you have an isolation valve on the supply to the tap. If so, you can just turn the water off there.

badnotgood

Considering the leaking kitchen tap, it's likely that wrapping some PTFE tape (also known as plumber's tape) around the middle could solve the issue. This tape helps create a tight seal, preventing leaks. Give it a try, and remember to turn off the mains supply before attempting any repairs. 

grumbler

badnotgood said:

Considering the leaking kitchen tap, it's likely that wrapping some PTFE tape (also known as plumber's tape) around the middle could solve the issue. 

Middle of what?

nofoollikeold

1. PTFE tape is absolutely pointless with this issue.
2. With the screw removed, the handle should pull of.
3. It is probably stuck on with limescale and possible a bit of corrosion.  Things to try:
3.1 Using a good limescale remover (such as Kilrock),  Difficult to get in given the horizontal orientation, but perhaps a polythene bag taped around the tap and filled with Kilrock?
3.2 Pouring hot water over the tap head.  If the sink is stainless steel, you can use boiling water, but if it is composite or ceramic boiling is a bit fierce.  

ThisIsWeird

MarinaTrench said:

Hi,
     My Kitchen mixer tap is leaking from the handle (cold water).
Having seen some videos online it seems that a washer or tap cartridge might need replacing.

On the side of the handle of the tap there is a screw which I removed. However the Handle cap does not come off as I would expect and as shown in the youtube videos. 

I have attached some pictures. Can you advise how to fix this tap, will the handle cap come off ? and if so how ?

Finally I have turned the mains supply tap off. However we have a sealed heating system (system boiler) . Are there any special precautions that I need to take or can I just take the cold water cap off after turning off the mains ?

Many thanks for your advise.

Mt.

Excellent descriptive post!
You are 100% certain it's coming from behind the handle, and not sleeping out from where the tap spout joins the body? Try some tissue paper.
Assuming it is the tap, and good chance it is, you do need a new ceramic cartridge. 
The handle should come off, but it's tight. It needs persuading...
First, isolate the supply to it - as suggested above, check the pipes going to it under the sink, and see if it has isolating valves. If it has, you'll only need to shut off the cold.
Anyhoo, turn off the supply, and confirm by turning the tap on!
The boiling water trick is a good one. This doesn't need much water, but does need time, so boil t'kettle, and trickle it slowly over the handle - the whole handle needs to warm up to its core, or it won't expand where it's needed, around the spindle.
Apply a slow trickle over a few minutes - enough to flow over the handle, but not wastefully.
Then turn on the tap - get that flat handle flange bit around to the front. Use something solid but gentle - a lump of wood or a rubber mallet, for example - to repeatedly tap the sloping LH edge of that handle towards the right. Judge how firm you can hit it - usually quite. 
Keep an eye on the tiny gap between the handle and the body - look for that opening up.
Once it moves a few mm, hopefully it'll loosen. You can also try spraying WD40 in where the screw went, and then even tap the handle back on! It should now be less stuck. Also try wobbling the handle on the spindle as you tap it off - bear in mind your tapping is all being done to one side of the handle; try pulling the handle the opposite way on the spindle to counter.

MarinaTrench

Hi ,
    I really tried to wedge it apart. 
Tried the hot water trick. Then some Kilrock,
Finally I struck a Knife in it tried really hard to wedge it. Also tried to hammer with the back of screw driver. Its come out a about 1mm but it looks like its mechanically held.
Not sure if some rust  or scaling can hold it so tight.

I have now sprayed some WD40 and will try again.

Thanks 

victor2

Why not try the hot tap? It might be just as stuck, but might come off more easily and satisfy you that there isn't another fixing holding it on.

Eldi_Dos

When trying the hot water method, wrap a old dish cloth round area you want to heat up and trickle the kettle water onto that. Leave for a few minute's  then try again.

ThisIsWeird

MarinaTrench said:

Hi ,
    I really tried to wedge it apart. 
Tried the hot water trick. Then some Kilrock,
Finally I struck a Knife in it tried really hard to wedge it. Also tried to hammer with the back of screw driver. Its come out a about 1mm but it looks like its mechanically held.
Not sure if some rust  or scaling can hold it so tight.

I have now sprayed some WD40 and will try again.

Thanks 

Cool. Cuppa time. And then try again when you're up for it.

The most powerful way to lever it off is by a twisting motion in that gap with a flat-bladed screwdriver, and the best best way of doing this is with two simultaneous screwdrivers on opposite sides. But 'drivers run the risk of damaging the chrome plate.

If you do you have a flat-blade of around 5+mm wide, then - your call - but if you could find a way of adding some protection to the blade - a suitable material might be the PET skin of a plastic milk bottle - then it's worth a try.

I'm also tempted to suggest a further spray of WD40 followed by thumping the handle back on fully! Then another quick spurt and try removing again.

It will come off :-)