Dripping kitchen mixer tap All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[snowie]

I have a set of these kitchen mixer taps

Google "diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9996592&fh_view_size=10&fh_eds=%3f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372014%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372039%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372150%7d%2fspecificationsProductType%3done_hole_taps%2fspecificationsSpecificProductType%3dhigh_neck_taps&fh_refview=lister&ts=1241115786331&isSearch=false"

which are dripping.
How do you change the washer/s to stop the drip?
The 'handles' do not come off, as there is no grub screw.
Thanks.
Sorry the link is so long!!!!!

[stoneyboy]

snowie,
According to B&Q the page is temporarily unavailable - makes helping you rather difficult.
end

[rosebery]

The link works if you put back the "http://www". that got moderated out.

The sofia tap looks like it has 1/4 turn ceramic discs. There is no washer to take out you have to replace the cartridge.

If its a constant drip drip drip as if the taps are letting by then you have a case for going back to B&Q and getting replacements.

If is an occasional drip thats a different matter. All these up and over taps drip. Water remains in the spout after the taps are turned off and slowly makes its way down under gravity to the end of the spout where it collects under surface tension. When the weight of water is sufficient to overcome surface tension it drips before starting to collect again. There is nothing you can do about this.

Cheers

[rosebery]

BTW the handles MUST come off. They probably clip on.

Cheers

[snowie]

Thanks Rosebury....it is a constant drip, and the handles did come off. Decided I would have to use 'brute force', (of which plenty was required), but they did eventually come off, by pulling them straight up.
I took the cartridge out, cleaned it and put it back in. It still drips.
There was no identifying marks, ie part number or manufacturer name on the cartridge, so how can I tell which size, model, part to buy to fix it?
The taps are about 18 months old now, and according to B&Q,

...."the ceramic valves which will last a lifetime, are only guaranteed for a year"

That's a pretty short life!

[rosebery]

Typical B and Poo response. Take the offending article to a proper plumbers merchant. He should be able to sort you out.

Cheers

[bd3cc]

You could try taking the ceramic disc out, laying some very fine wet and dry paper on a flat surface and rubbing to disc up and down to flatten it again. finish off with the paper wet, and re insert discs.