How to service a quarter turn tap

[silve1999]

I had a problem with my quarter turn traditional style taps leaking, the rubber seal inside the tap tail had deteriorated, I overcame this by constructing a new washer from a fibre washer sandwiched with two rubber washers and replacing the constructed washer with the deteriorated metal/rubber washer. This provided a good tight seal for the ceramic disc head gear to sit on and fixed the leaking tap. Thought i would post this incase someone has serviced thier tap and still has with a leaking tap.

[Bertcrankshaw]

Thanks, I have tried to isolate the ( hot ) water but I can't seem to do that... how long will the hot water run once I turn the handle off at the emersion tank ? I let it run for 10 minutes and it just kept coming.

Thanks again.

[ultimatehandyman]

@Bertcrankshaw

It sounds like that valve is not the correct one, it should only run for a minute or so once it is isolated. If you are struggling it might be best to naviage to the forum (links on channel page) and ask in the forum as the plumbers will advise you.

[Bertcrankshaw]

My hot tap in the bath has suddenly decided it will only open a little way, water is coming out slowly, but that's it. It shuts off fine, just only opens a little, It was fine until this morning. is it likely to be a build up of gunk, or will I need to replace the tap unit ?

Thankyou !

[ultimatehandyman]

@Bertcrankshaw

It could be either. Normally they get corroded up inside but you can easily clean it and put it back on most types of tap. The only way to find out is to isolate the water and then remove the head gear/cartridge and take a look

[juliet2606]

I did try that as well . Got a bit impatient as u can see I'm a woman ! Lol . Put it back on again still dripping . I'll give it another crack this weekend again . Thanks a lot ! I have learnt a lot from a lot of your videos . Cheers .

[ultimatehandyman]

@juliet2606

Good luck with it.

Sometimes the only option is to replace the tap, but that is quite a difficult job with a kitchen tap!

[juliet2606]

I tried this with mi tap . I can't get the thing off . It's dripping . It's stuck . ! And I can't hear anything ? Normally I can hear u very well not this one though !

[ultimatehandyman]

@juliet2606

I added a voice over to this video after filming it. This was also one of the last videos in low definition. I'll remake it when I get chance! Spraying it with WD40 might help you get the stuck part free!

[teejinad]

What do you do if the handle does not fit.. (tap Handle) it's ever so snug and I don't want to force it.

[ultimatehandyman]

@teejinad

You may have the incorrect cartridge. You need to count the number of splines on the shaft to ensure it is the correct one. If it is correct try a little oil and hopefully when you tighten the screw it will pull the handle onto the shaft.

[MsBigfoot01]

a bigger job and more expensive too. thanks for quick response anyway, i may give it another go in the morning.

[ultimatehandyman]

@MsBigfoot01

Good luck with it!

[MsBigfoot01]

i have been spraying with wd40 and have moved on from spanners to vice wrench pliers! there is just nothing happening at the moment, the brass is just deteriorating.

[ultimatehandyman]

@MsBigfoot01

Doesn't sound good if the nut is rounding off.

Might be better off thinking about changing the tap completely, but it is a much bigger job!

[MsBigfoot01]

ok, what if the cartridge appears to be welded on and refuses to unscrew? have spent several hours trying to remove it and it is not going anywhere! its the hot tap on the left, i,m going anti clockwise(turning away from me) got several blisters so have given up

[ultimatehandyman]

@MsBigfoot01

Have you tried spraying it with spray penetrant such as WD40?

Sometimes they can be difficult to undo.

Also what size is your spanner- the longer it is the bettter as you get more leverage

[SifterOfwheat]

I have a monoblock mixer tap like in this video. When I turn the tap on water seeps out from underneath the seat of the tap where it sits on the sink counter. There's no leak from the tap head itself. Can you tell me what could be causing this?

Great videos, btw. Thanks for posting them.

[ultimatehandyman]

@SifterOfwheat

It sounds like it could be the O ring for the spout.

You can often remove the spout by turning the spout to line up with the taps and then lift it upwards.

You would then have to replace the O ring.

I'll message you a link that might help

[Razamabaz]

Hi, hope you can help. I managed to release the cartridge wit an adjustable spanner as in the film clip but the cartridge won't pull out. it's free from the thread etc but it's like the end of the cartridge where the washer is, is to big to pull out of the hole. Any advice would be handy.

[ultimatehandyman]

@Razamabaz

You could try putting the hendle back on, (with the cartridge unscrewed) then try pulling it out.

[mer7ury]

Thank you very much for producing the video. Two plumbers would not come out to fix my leaking tap. Have done it myself now thanks to you, my money is still in my pocket.

[ultimatehandyman]

@mer7ury

Glad you sorted it.

Thanks for the comment

[kaysniper]

good video, saved me the trouble of calling a plumper

[materiasacra]

Thanks for reminding me that I have to get one that turns the right way. Never done this before, so I might not have thought of it.

[joolcee]

thanks very much for your reply.

Will have a go on Saturday.

Thanks

[ultimatehandyman]

@joolcee

You are welcome.

Please be aware that for some makes of quarter turn tap it is difficult to get a new cartridge. Hopefully yours will be one of the more common ones!

[joolcee]

all looks good, but very very quiet video. have my speakers on max and can bearly hear, if there's a lorry passing outside my window, can't hear a thing.

no problem with other youtube videos...;

[ultimatehandyman]

@joolcee

Yeah, sorry about that.

None of the videos that I have done voice overs on can be heard clearly, from now on I record the sound and video at the same time.

[bbham]

Very helpful, thanks!

[ultimatehandyman]

@MegaShan001

Thanks Shaun.