Loose/dripping bathtub faucet

gabbro86

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on how to fix the faucet in our bathtub.

We moved into this house at the end of March, and it was slightly loose initially, but not dripping. As you can see from the pictures below, it's now become very loose (we bathe our 3-year old here and he loves playing with it...) and dripping constantly. How would I go about reaching the nuts and screwing them tighter? Do I need a plumber?

Any advice is welcome!

danrv

Probably just a case of retightening the securing nuts on the underside of the tap assembly. If you remove the panel you should be able to get to them.
Try finger tight at first then use an adjustable spanner if there's room. Otherwise, a special tool might be needed if access is difficult.
The dripping, if from the spout would be down to a washer that needs replacing.
Have a look for isolation valves/levers nearby to turn off the water supply.

MouldyOldDough

I would recommend that unless you are able to change washers yourself - call a plumber.

Bigphil1474

Agree with Dan - the loose tap, look under the bath. The washer will be in the tap somewhere - either hot or cold. If you are changing washer, might as well do both sides at the same time.

On a standard tap you usually remove the top of the tap and remove a screw which allows you to release the gubbings and stick a new washer in - not sure with those type of taps.  If it was me, I'd do a search for the type of tap and instructions for replacing the washer, have a go if I thought i could do it, and call a plumber if not, or if/when you mess up. Turn the water off before you start stripping the tap down.

EssexExile

They look like quarter turn taps, more likely to have cartridges than washers.

WIAWSNB

Looks like you have two issues there - a loose tap on the bath deck, and a worn cartridge. Sorting one won't fix t'other. 

How DIYish are you? 

If you can completely swap the mixer, then I'd suggest going for a completely new set - anything from ~£40 to £70, or a little more if you wanted a shower handset too.

gabbro86

WIAWSNB said:

Looks like you have two issues there - a loose tap on the bath deck, and a worn cartridge. Sorting one won't fix t'other. 

How DIYish are you? 

If you can completely swap the mixer, then I'd suggest going for a completely new set - anything from ~£40 to £70, or a little more if you wanted a shower handset too.

Not very DIYish, hence my questions here

I did think swapping the whole mixer would be easier, I wouldn't mind a shower attachment too!

WIAWSNB

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/396960964237I had this 'watched' after reading this thread, and they just sent me a BIN offer of £29. Their version with a shower is only £8 more.

NB: 'Nabis' is a decent make, and I presume this seller is legit! 

You'll need a special spanner to get up under the deck to undo the nuts, but it looks as tho' they are already loose for you! 

Murmansk

If you're not a keen DIYer I'd steer clear of trying to sort this yourself!