Replacing Half the Bathroom Tap Instead of Whole Tap Drainage and wastage systems and plumbing help, advice and answers

[DIYHelp]

Hi, I have a problem with my bath tap which is a mixer coming from 2 stems with the shower head that rests over the top (old Victorian style, see link below).

http://www.bathstore.com/products/bensham-bath-shower-mixer-700.html

The washer in the hot tap keeps getting sliced through every time it is replaced, this means that the tap gets stuck after 1 turn & doesn't come on or off. I now have to use the spanner when having a bath and I unscrew the nut (where the washer is inside) and then the water comes out!

Because my bath is a free standing bath (sealed though!) and the taps are in the middle, I am not able to get behind the bath to replace the whole tap. There are 2 big bolts on the taps at the top of each stem where the stems join the mixer part (see link picture above). Can someone tell me if it is possible to undo these 2 big bolts and just fix a new front part on thus meaning that I don't have to pull the whole bath out (or get a plumber in coz my husband won't do it!!).

I hope someone can help. Thank you

[proptech]

Hi DIYHelp

Yes, that is quite possible, providing the new tap is exactly the same.

[DIYHelp]

Thank you for your reply proptech. Do you (or anyone else reading this!) know why the washer is getting seared through all the time? If I could sort this problem out then I wouldn't need a new tap at all?
Thanks again

[proptech]

It could be that the seating has a sharp edge or is damaged in some way. Take the tap apart, and have a close look. A re-seating tool is available, but it may be possible to sort the problem with a bit of emery cloth or similar.