Does anyone know how to take apart a SECTA wall-mounted washbasin tap?

[FrustratedAmateur]

Bought from Victoria Plum.
I need to replace the ceramic disc. However I can't work out how to do this and can't find a box spanner to fit anything inside the tap mechanism.
Any ideas how to proceed? Does it need a specialist tool?
Many thanks for any advice offered.

 

[Welder]

Pictures pls

 

[FrustratedAmateur]

Pictures attached. Hope they provide a good view.

 

[steadyon]

1. This is a Victoriaplum tap, so its unlikely you'll find any proper instructions.
2. I'd expect the smaller chrome shroud to unscrew (anti-clockwise as you look at it) to release the chrome wall trim and provide access.
3. The shroud is likely to be seized in place. Try poring boiling water on it, then freeing it (without burning yourself). A rubber glove or Boa type wrench will give you better grip.

 

[Riley]

Victoria plumb fills me with dread. Have you 100% got the right disc for it as it could all be in vain if you haven’t

 

[Welder]

1. This is a Victoriaplum tap, so its unlikely you'll find any proper instructions.
2. I'd expect the smaller chrome shroud to unscrew (anti-clockwise as you look at it) to release the chrome wall trim and provide access.
3. The shroud is likely to be seized in place. Try poring boiling water on it, then freeing it (without burning yourself). A rubber glove or Boa type wrench will give you better grip.

It will be replaceable with a 'std' (note the caveat) valve. They have used a long 4mm threaded piece to cheaply extend the spindle. God they are junk!
From the admittedly poor images it looks pretty std its just getting access that's the challenge.

 

[townfanjon]

Sorry , cut your losses and bin the tap .

 

[Welder]

Sorry , cut your losses and bin the tap .

Ive just looked again. Have to say Town, even I agree with you. It is truly a carbuncle among monstrosities. I must be my trip to Halifax today that's made me soft in the head...

 

[townfanjon]

Ive just looked again. Have to say Town, even I agree with you. It is truly a carbuncle among monstrosities. I must be my trip to Halifax today that's made me soft in the head...

Hafilax , know it well , lots of trouble on the M62 today and surrounding roads , did u get caught in it ?

 

[Welder]

I did indeed...

As I'm pathologically incapable of being late I'd left plenty of time tho

 

[Ben-gee]

I wouldn’t waste 5 minutes on that tap, bin it and buy one from a proper local plumbers’ merchant (or almost anywhere but VP). There is a reason it didn’t cost you very much....

 

[Welder]

I wouldn’t waste 5 minutes on that tap, bin it and buy one from a proper local plumbers’ merchant (or almost anywhere but VP). There is a reason it didn’t cost you very much..

Sorry Ben. Much of what merchant's sell even from major brands is just as bad - genuinely. Brassware is nowadays a lottery.

 

[Ben-gee]

Dave, I know and this seems to be getting worse. However a local merchant (unless I'm just lucky) are aware of this and so keep cartridges in stock and hand these over for free when needed. (Maybe that is only for us plumbers as we loyally support them). They get them back from manufacturers - if necessarily against a more recent invoice.....
This allows me to replace for customer for free, if I choose, which is always good for reputation (people know things don't always work out- it's what you do next which can differentiate you).
At the moment I'm finding Hansgrohe best for reliabilty/price combo, and Dorn Bracht seem ok but way too expensive.
But I'd love to find a reasonable trustworthy brand....

 

[WC1]

Imho the cost of a tap is a small price to pay for the lesson of never dealing with V.P. It was a while ago now but I think I paid a bit more...

 

[Welder]

Dave, I know and this seems to be getting worse. However a local merchant (unless I'm just lucky) are aware of this and so keep cartridges in stock and hand these over for free when needed.

I used to get that from Plumbase (about two years ago) Ben but no one since even tho I moved to indies. It is def down to the merchant and how they support you but, unf, most simply cannot be bothered.