The hot water tap in a downstairs sink has over the past few days been difficult to turn off, and has required some firm turning to stop the water flow.
As of last night, the tap no longer produces water at all when turned on. Hot water is fine from all other taps.
Any clues as to where to begin with this one? I might just about be able to work out how to turn off the water and get the headgear off, although never done such a thing before, or should I abandon the idea and just call an expensive plumber?
Last edited by: Crankcase on Thu 23 Aug 12 at 09:20
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It sounds to me as if the washer has become jammed in the tap at the shut off point. You must be on an indirect (low pressure) supply from a header tank.
Whatever the cause, removing the tap head gear will reveal all. If you haven't a service valve close to the tap then it's a good idea to install one whilst the water is off. (local plumbers/builders merchant are usually cheaper and better than the DIY sheds)
You will probably find that either just the washer is "mangled", or, more likely, the seat that the washer seals against has split. It can be difficult to see the split. It is possible to re-cut the seat with the right equipment but as a one off it will probably be cheaper to buy a new set of taps. If you go down the new tap route then don't forget to get new fibre sealing washers to fit between the tap and the water pipe.
HTH
You may have just mangled the "works" inside, in which case new taps are the only way out.
Last edited by: MJM on Thu 23 Aug 12 at 09:52
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>> It is possible to re-cut the seat with the right equipment but as a
>> one off it will probably be cheaper to buy a new set of taps.
It will probably be cheaper to buy a tap reseating tool tinyurl.com/bwba46v and also be more convenient by avoiding having to change the tap completely. Just make sure you buy a really good quality tap washer.
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Presume it is an old style tap tha requires several turns off to on? It will certainly be worth getting the top off to see what is going on. Two basic types, those with a metal stem with a handle (often cross) on the top, and those with a plastic handle. To get them apart (water off!):
Metal handle type: Remove the grub screw in the handle (between the cross somewhere) and pull off the handle (this bit is not strictly necessary, and may be difficult, but does make life easier). Unscrew the metal cover part of the tap next - you may need a good pair of water pump pliers for this - protect the tap with a cloth or similar. You will now see the big nut holding the top works in - unscrew this and the whole top works will come out.
Plastic handle type: Probably lever out the very top disc of the tap, revealing a screw, undo this and the top should pull off, you can then undo the big nut again to get the top works out.
Have a look and see if the washer is intact - replace if not. It might be though that the itnernals have broken and the washer is no longer lifting - in which case new top works or tap required.
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Removing the tap valve can sometimes be a monumental task and may require copious amounts of WD40, or similar. However, if yours is particularly stubborn, this link might be helpful:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGF39ReBrj0
I use an old hollow stainless steel saucepan handle (because I don't have a large enough box spanner) together with thin card and tape as shown in the link.
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Thanks all; will prod about tonight and see if I can get anywhere.
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Prodded, fell at first (couldn't even undo the thing), abandoned, called a plumber I've used before and trust, he's coming out in a week or so.
Two other plumbing jobs need doing too so not completely barmy.
Thanks for trying though, all.
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Tap problem - MJM
