Remove a lever spindle tap (no grub screw)

[AnnaGram357]

Hi, My tap is drippping and I wanted to try and replace the washer myself but am struggling to get the top part off.

I have removed the lever handle and everything online says there should be a grub screw inside the hole that I can use an Allen key to open but it seems to be empty.

I don't want to prise it off incase I break it.

Also you'll notice that the top part of the tap sits slightly higher than it does on the other tap, with a small gap between the metal parts . Could this be causing an issue instead of it being a washer related problem? (The dripping is coming from the end of the tap though not from that area.)

Any ideas are appreciated, thanks!

 

[Shower Engineer]

 

[Nick1992]

Hi Anna! Before you start anything make sure you isolate the taps from the service valves under the basin. Or if you dont have any from the mains stopcock(to turn water off from all isolation points always turn clockwise to turn off and anti clockwise to turn on)..And after isolating make sure you turn the taps on and off to make sure water is switched off.On top of the handle,there is a cover that you can unscrew with a pair of grips(where it's written hot and cold. And under there normally there is a screw keeping the handle together with the cartridge. Once you take the screw out you can take the handle off. Sometimes it could be a bit challenging. As the handle could get scaled up on the cartridge. So it wouldn't be so easy to pull it out. So you can use a big flat head screw driver. To slowly praise it up( just positioning the tip of the screwdriver between the bottom of the handle and the flashing cover that sits on the cartridge). Once the handle comes out. Unscrew the flashing ( the bit that is under the handle covering the cartridge). Remove the cartridge with a pair of grips or a spanner whilst holding the tap firmly(it is very important to hold the tap while you unscrew the cartridge because if you dont you might loosen the tap).Once you expose the cartridge take pictures of it. Take pictures of the tap before you take it apart as well. Next step would be going to your local plumbing merchant. And show them the pictures. So the can give you identical cartridges. See what is the price of the cartridges. If they cost like 5£ you a much better of buying a new set of taps as they would cost between 10-20£ . If I had the taps personally for 2-5 years I wouldn't mind spending 10-20£ for taps that would last me another 2-5 years. Good luck! I hope everything I said makes sense. It's easier to do it than saying how to do it 😁😊As well after you turn the water back on,make sure to check that there is no leaks from the service valves or the stopcock.

 

[AnnaGram357]

Hi Anna! Before you start anything make sure you isolate the taps from the service valves under the basin. Or if you dont have any from the mains stopcock(to turn water off from all isolation points always turn clockwise to turn off and anti clockwise to turn on)..And after isolating make sure you turn the taps on and off to make sure water is switched off.On top of the handle,there is a cover that you can unscrew with a pair of grips(where it's written hot and cold. And under there normally there is a screw keeping the handle together with the cartridge. Once you take the screw out you can take the handle off. Sometimes it could be a bit challenging. As the handle could get scaled up on the cartridge. So it wouldn't be so easy to pull it out. So you can use a big flat head screw driver. To slowly praise it up( just positioning the tip of the screwdriver between the bottom of the handle and the flashing cover that sits on the cartridge). Once the handle comes out. Unscrew the flashing ( the bit that is under the handle covering the cartridge). Remove the cartridge with a pair of grips or a spanner whilst holding the tap firmly(it is very important to hold the tap while you unscrew the cartridge because if you dont you might loosen the tap).Once you expose the cartridge take pictures of it. Take pictures of the tap before you take it apart as well. Next step would be going to your local plumbing merchant. And show them the pictures. So the can give you identical cartridges. See what is the price of the cartridges. If they cost like 5£ you a much better of buying a new set of taps as they would cost between 10-20£ . If I had the taps personally for 2-5 years I wouldn't mind spending 10-20£ for taps that would last me another 2-5 years. Good luck! I hope everything I said makes sense. It's easier to do it than saying how to do it 😁😊As well after you turn the water back on,make sure to check that there is no leaks from the service valves or the stopcock.

Thanks! I did isolate the water befie ei started anything the cap did pop off (I thought it was a different kind of tap to the one I have done this on before so it'd be different) but the problem now is that the thread of the screw is worn a bit smooth so the screw driver can't get any purchase on it.... Any suggestions for that other than getting a new tap?

 

[AnnaGram357]

View attachment 47863

It did! Thanks

 

[Nick1992]

Thanks! I did isolate the water befie ei started anything the cap did pop off (I thought it was a different kind of tap to the one I have done this on before so it'd be different) but the problem now is that the thread of the screw is worn

It did! Thanks

It did! Thanks

These are exactly like your taps. The only difference is that these are cross head on the video and yours are lever ones.

 

[AnnaGram357]

These are exactly like your taps. The only difference is that these are cross head on the video and yours are lever ones.

Thanks, yes I realise I wrote spindle in my title when I meant pillar I think. Doh..