Tightening and Fixing Leaking Lever Style Taps Drainage and wastage systems and plumbing help, advice and answers

[spenno]

Hi there. Complete DIY numbskull here. I have these lever style taps in my kitchen. The two issues are that one is dripping very slightly, and one can't be tightened up a great deal. Underneath there seems to be a circular/smooth nut of some kind that just fastens it in place but it's too hard to grip and tighten a great deal. Never fitted taps etc - is there some kind of sealant placed under the rim of the tap which will secure it in place? Guess that's what the residue is round the bottom?
Thanks in advance.

[KitchenGuy]

There is sometimes a rubber "o" ring fitted into the base of the tap. Underneath what you call a smooth nut is a flanged nut like this, https://media.screwfix.com/is/image//ae ... ageMedium$

It can be brass or plastic. If there is no "o"ring in the tap there should be a rubber washer between the nut and the underside of the sink. It's a bit of a job to tighten the flanged nut. You will need to lie down on your back under the sink and tighten it with a basin wrench like this https://media.screwfix.com/is/image//ae ... ageMedium$

Or this https://media.screwfix.com/is/image//ae ... ageMedium$

Ideally you will also need someone else to hold the tap in the correct position as you tighten the nut.

If you mean it's dripping as well then you will need to change the tap washer. If you do you would probably do best to watch an online video of how to do it.