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Dripping Tap

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countrykid | 21:15 Sun 26th Apr 2015 | DIY
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In the old days!!!! I knew how to change a tap washer. Our two year old kitchen has a modern mixer tap but which is now starting to drip. Not sure but I think it is the cold side. Can anyone tell me how to fix this. A friend has said it might be a ceramic washer? Thanks
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It most definitely is a ceramic washer. However... the head of your mixer has probably become loose. It's hard to direct you without seeing the tap. Is it leaking from the spout or around the base?
Question Author
it is leaking from the spout.Just a drip every few seconds
We have the same problem. Was supposed to have been fixed, but it's started up again.
We'd need to know the make and model of the tap, kid. As the Master says, most likely a ceramic disc or cartridge.
Question Author
ok, tku. I will investigate further. The tap came from B&Q I think
Same issue here Countrykid, follow where the water comes out to the base, at the base you have a Silver Nut, tighten that up.
If it is a cheap mixer from B&Q and it has a ceramic cartridge in it .. the chances of repairing it are fairly slim. As TB say's to buy a new cartridge you need to be able to identify the make of tap, as well as the model.
When you go to buy a cartridge the problem is they are all different lengths with various sized heads on them. Not to mention the number of splines.
.. and B&Q will have discontinued that range.

A great plumber once told me .. "when you have a problem with ceramics, just fit new taps. Because by the time you have faffed about trying to find a cartridge you will easily have replaced the taps"..

That has been my rule ever since ... if the head of a ceramic tap isn't loose, just replace the whole thing.

If you want to identify which one is leaking, check under your sink, and hopefully there will be a service valve on each supply pipe.
Turn one of them to the 'Off position' and if it stops the drip, you will now know which one is leaking !
Question Author
Thank you to everyone. I now know the taps are by Cooke & Lewis - a B&Q brand I suspect. From what has been said I may as well by new taps. How crazy when you look back to days gone by and you replaced a tenpenny rubber washer!!
I had a dripping tap once......it was bloody useless so I replaced it with a stainless steel one.



Sorry.....

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