Kitchen Mixer taps dripping

[Markdillon]

Posted in the shower forum and the advice I got was excellent so hoping it's the same for my tap problem

I have mixer taps in the kitchen which had a drip now is a small constant flow of water.

I've tried undoing the stem and pulling it out and there is no chance it will come out.
I was advised that it would be the washers on the on/off handles

I've undone the screws and removed the handles and taken of the cover to show the nuts to undo, I cant get them loose, there so tight. There that tight I'm scared off snapping the tap.
Is this normal or I'm I doing something wrong.

Thanks in advance

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Any pics ?

 

[Welder]

Any pics ?

GO Shaun!

 

[Markdillon]

sorry

hope this helps

 

[Welder]

Where do you live?

 

[Markdillon]

Yorkshire Dave Can I ask why that would help ? but the answer is Chester

 

[ShaunCorbs]

End caps unscrew where the h and c are normally

 

[Markdillon]

I can get the end caps off but cant undo the nuts to remove the section that holds the washer I need to change

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I can get the end caps off but cant undo the nuts to remove the section that holds the washer I need to change

The chrome outer shrouds ?

If so strap wrench is your best bet the rubber ones

 

[Markdillon]

I can get the chrome outer shrouds off too

The nuts underneath the shrouds are so tight. even sprayed with a release agent but still no movement.

I was on one spanner and my son was on another so we could try and undo them at the same time to keep the tap from bending but still they wouldn't come loose

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I get you now

You need a bit of force to undo them as there prob scaled in you can't hold the spout either as that would damage it

Only thing I can suggest is either change the tap

Get a plumber out to change the cartridges

Or give it one last try and give it some welly while trying to hold against

 

[rpm]

Shock it loose.

 

[Phil]

I find a socket and wrench and if it won't budge then try tightening it and then the other way. Its as much force as you dare put on while trying to keep the tap from bending the sink.

 

[Welder]

Yorkshire Dave Can I ask why that would help ? but the answer is Chester

Because you will need new cartridges to fit your tap as there are no washers to change. As there are approx 5000 different types you need someone to make you the correct ones.

 

[Welder]

Try a deep socket and an impact driver. Comes out instantly.

 

[Markdillon]

YokshireDave. so your saying when and if I remove them I will need to get new ones as there are no washers.

Think I'll be better changing the taps as suggested before

 

[JCplumb]

They're ceramic disk cartridges. If you're lucky there's a couple of the more common ones on sale in most merchants and sheds. If you're not lucky then you'll need to do a lot of digging to find the right ones or there is a way to make the right ones with a kit some plumbers have (Made in Yorkshire by someone called Dave )

 

[Markdillon]

hence the question where do you live from YorkshireDave

 

[Mark K]

YokshireDave. so your saying when and if I remove them I will need to get new ones as there are no washers.

Think I'll be better changing the taps as suggested before

Yes, no washers, cartridges are an easy fix. If you can get to the brass hex they will come out without too much dificulty

 

[Welder]

Yes, no washers, cartridges are an easy fix. If you can get to the brass hex they will come out without too much dificulty

Use a 17mm ring spanner & they come out much more easily as there is NO slippage.

 

[Welder]

And, as always, it goes quiet cos the OP didn't get the answer they wanted. So bl00dy rude!