How to dismantle tap, kitchen mixer, ceramic

[nigel dodd]

I need to stop the dripping from the cold side of the unit. The tap goes from full on to off in half a turn so I assume it has a ceramic valve. Normally you prise the cap off, however there seems no gap at all and a knife will not locate a gap. Here is a photo

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Nvq4t8nJaSZqe8rf7


Next I tried unscrewing the lever handle and the double ended threaded rod that fixes it into the moving part of the tap. Photo

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tGvmgZEK3fbkRp4C6


Then I tried easing off the moving part of the tap, hoping that the threaded rod that was removed was securing it. Photo

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ULeYC1dTr9TQTxX68


That didn't work either. Can anybody help me get this tap dismantled? Thanks

 

[Harvest Fields]

Grub screw underneath maybe?

 

[nigel dodd]

Grub screw underneath maybe?

That's a good idea, but I can't think where it might be. Have you seen the photos?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Possibly inside or under here?

 

[Burger]

I take it you don’t know the make of tap?

 

[Harvest Fields]

I take it you don’t know the make of tap?

Good point

 

[nigel dodd]

That's a good idea, but I can't think where it might be. Have you seen the photos?

I will take my dentists' mirror and torch and go and have a look. Rental cottage!

 

[nigel dodd]

I take it you don’t know the make of tap?

No, bit of a mystery.
Also it is installed at the back of a deep rectangular ceramic sink (forgotten what they're called) so difficult to replace.

 

[Burger]

The photo that shows the lever part removed, that @Harvest Fields has circled black, have you tried to unscrew that?

 

[Burger]

No, bit of a mystery.
Also it is installed at the back of a deep rectangular ceramic sink (forgotten what they're called) so difficult to replace.

Ok, worth a shot. A Belfast sink? Take a photo of whole tap, someone on here may recognise?

 

[nigel dodd]

The lever part was fully removed
https://photos.app.goo.gl/c5SP5gPCGSuZ8v4d6
I will now go and peer inside the hole to see if there is a grub screw.
And I'll take a photo of the whole tap. Thanks for help.

 

[Burger]

I meant this bit (highlighted yellow), have you tried to unscrew this?

 

[Ben-gee]

In your first photo you are trying to prise off an end cap. There is an inner circle below where you are trying, I’m pretty sure there will be a screw under that - try using a brand new Stanley knife blade.

 

[snowhead]

Have you tried unscrewing the cap on the top that you tried to prise off?

 

[nigel dodd]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I have found a release allen socket on the far side of the tap. Here is a photo taken through the dentists' mirror
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3XT8cYDNjrWckgMJ8

in which I think I can see an allen socket. Unfortunately the smallest allen key I had with me was too big, so I need to return with a smaller one.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I love it when I’m right!

 

[Riley]

Smug git

 

[Harvest Fields]

Smug git

I was having a moment sorry.

 

[nigel dodd]

Further to the saga, I did find an Allen key that fitted but the screw was stiff and graunchy but it did come off. I replaced the O-ring seal and had the graunchy hole retapped at the local engineering works.

But it still leaks. I now realise that it leaks from the body of the valve rather than the seal with the main tap.

The local shop sells ceramic tap inserts but the splines are a different pitch

So I am uncertain what to do.

 

[Riley]

Try an independent plumbers merchant and take the tap handle and see what they have

 

[snowhead]

There are plenty of online sellers for Ceramic spares if you can't get one locally;
Replacement Brass Valve Ceramic Disc Cartridges - Plumbers Mate Ltd

 

[Welder]

Yours looks like a 28 spline.
Make sure you measure the seat depth properly from the underside of the shoulder to the very end of the red seal. That is VITAL.
Try the LUNNS website.

 

[Welder]

There are plenty of online sellers for Ceramic spares if you can't get one locally;
Replacement Brass Valve Ceramic Disc Cartridges - Plumbers Mate Ltd

Ouch