broken tap - any plumbers out there • Non-Gaming • General Non-gaming • Eurogamer.net

notsomuch 28 Jun 2010 20:42:52 253 posts
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hello - i've just tried to turn on my kitchen tap and the tap "handle" came off in my hand. Kind of disintegrated on the inside.
from my limited plumbing knowledge and google I believe its a "quarter turn tap" - looks just like this http://www.taps.co.uk/contemporary-cruciform-sink-mixer/

I can still turn the tap on and off just about with pliers but thats not ideal and there seems to be some hardened substance in the whole.

Basically do I need to replace the whole unit - and if so is this easy to do with no plumbing knowledge or should I get a pro in and what should I expect to pay?

Dragul 28 Jun 2010 20:55:13 5,536 posts
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Is there a Aki or Leroy merlin near you?

And is your tap handle with a square or a star inner connection? If square you're fucked!!!

The current taps handles use the start inner connection... I had to pay about 40 euros to a plumber to replace both bathroom taps... (the taps I payed in seperate)

neilka 28 Jun 2010 21:00:01 24,026 posts
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Burn the building down and build a new one with the insurance money.

ronuds 28 Jun 2010 21:07:35 21,781 posts
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I'd say if the unit was inexpensive just to replace the entire thing.

It isn't THAT hard to do yourself, but take a good look at the current set up to get an idea if you think you could recreate it. It's really not that difficult, but it depends on how handy you are.

If you can turn a wrench then you should be ok! The biggest issue would be finding a unit that's the exact same size and such as the one you have now.

notsomuch 28 Jun 2010 21:20:11 253 posts
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Dragul wrote:
Is there a Aki or Leroy merlin near you?

And is your tap handle with a square or a star inner connection? If square you're fucked!!!

The current taps handles use the start inner connection... I had to pay about 40 euros to a plumber to replace both bathroom taps... (the taps I payed in seperate)

It has a star inner shape bit - i'm thinking i'll buy the taps myself and get a pro to do the rest due to fear of making things worse / spiders

i've found some taps online that look the same - i'm guessing they'll be ok.........in theory

Alatair 28 Jun 2010 22:49:05 100 posts
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Wrong thread. This query should be in one of the Mario ones.

Khanivor 28 Jun 2010 23:28:56 44,800 posts
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It would have gained style points if it was in the Wii category.

heyyo 28 Jun 2010 23:53:13 14,356 posts
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You have to shut the valve off underneath your house (usually there's a tunnel underneath the cupboard) and this will stop the water company sending "attack water" to your house.

The attack water joins with the evil intent from the pipes and DESTROYS your mind - that is why you decided to pull the tap off. So.. to fix your tap we're looking at a lot here because the water has penetrated your mind and you'll pull it off again - the tap and it's base have to be able to withstand repeated attacks.

Khanivor 28 Jun 2010 23:57:08 44,800 posts
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How to fix.

heyyo 29 Jun 2010 00:02:04 14,356 posts
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Yeah! Perfect diagram of the tunnel layout there Khanivor

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 12:06:42 32,632 posts
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Figured this was as good a thread as any to bump.

Kitchen hot water handle has come unscrewed, when you screw it on tight the hot water comes on, when you try and turn it off, it unscrews... Got a leaking tap now as a result. If the bloody handle would just screw in tight it would be fine, when you press the handle in hard the water stops, but as soon as it's loose again the water flows.

Think I've found the stopcock (heehee) so will turn that off to switch of mains water. Will a new tap be all that's needed? Or will this "washer" that I keep reading about on the internets be required?

Dougs 24 May 2011 12:11:59 100,415 posts
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turn off water at stopcock (make sure it's one that turns off the whole supply, not just to the downstairs etc just in case), take tap apart, see if washer has split. If so, replace. Although it sounds to me like you just need to put it back on properly...

X201 24 May 2011 12:14:32 22,150 posts
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Any chance of a photo of said tap?

billythekid 24 May 2011 12:15:11 12,595 posts
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It does sound as if it just needs doing up, you need a spanner on the nut for the tap underneath the sink.

jonsaan 24 May 2011 12:15:54 27,052 posts
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What Dougs says. However you might have a tap under the sink that stops the supply to under the sink. Just run the fecker and turn the tap and see what happens. Also, when turning mains taps back on don't go full lock as they can get stuck and cause you problems later.

If it's a modern installation the pipe going to the taps might have a little screwdriveable cutoff valve too. This could save you time also.

mrpon 24 May 2011 12:17:15 37,367 posts
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Call me insane, but don't taps screw on the wrong way when you tighten them?

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 12:32:10 32,632 posts
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I think it might just be a loose handle needing screwed on properly, but dunno why it's suddenly stopped working. Thought a rubber seal or something might have snapped.

This tap definitely only screws on in the same direction as you would to turn it on. Is that wrong?

I'll try and post a picture up but em, how would one go about doing so? :-)

X201 24 May 2011 12:42:09 22,150 posts
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Most taps don't screw on.
The head/handle actually pushes on an is held in place by a screw.

THFourteen 24 May 2011 12:51:45 54,987 posts
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whatever you do, dont use thames plumbers

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 12:57:41 32,632 posts
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Ah so maybe the screw has gone?

Hehe cheers for the heads up THF! And everyone else! :-)

billythekid 24 May 2011 13:12:08 12,595 posts
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CosmicFuzz wrote:
I think it might just be a loose handle needing screwed on properly, but dunno why it's suddenly stopped working. Thought a rubber seal or something might have snapped.

This tap definitely only screws on in the same direction as you would to turn it on. Is that wrong?

I'll try and post a picture up but em, how would one go about doing so?

Upload the pic to http://tinypic.com/ and then give us the link.

Grunk 24 May 2011 13:13:32 4,718 posts
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For a normal tap:

anti-clockwise makes water come out.
clockwise makes water stop coming out.

for a quarter turn tap the direction depends on which tap it is.

there should be a screw to attach the tap to the spindle. The screw is either in line with the spindle (probably hidden under the 'h' cap) or a grub screw which comes in at 90 degrees to the spindle.

If it is old style and leaky, you can replace the washer. If it is quarter turn, you have to replace ceramic discs. Either of which is simple provided you have the right parts. If you post a photo (use flickr or photobox or something) then we may be able to advise you further.

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 13:53:58 32,632 posts
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Here's a pic of the tap, I hope. Clockwise turning normally makes the water come out, yeah.

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 13:54:24 32,632 posts
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http://tinypic.com/r/5n6dk8/7

Shite. Second time lucky.

Grunk 24 May 2011 14:11:48 4,718 posts
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oops, sorry, I got that the wrong way round, I've edited my original post

Grunk 24 May 2011 14:22:17 4,718 posts
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That is a quarter turn mixer tap.

If it is leaky you need to replace the cartridge.

it looks like there is a screw under the cap for fixing it to the spindle, have a look inside and see if the housing is cracked.

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 14:35:20 32,632 posts
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Awesome. Cheers dude, really appreciate the help!

CosmicFuzz 24 May 2011 17:27:22 32,632 posts
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I fixed it!

It was the valve I think, bought a new handle bit and took apart the old one (turned off the stopcock and everything first) then screwed in the new one. Works like new!

Am mega proud of myself, I am a total and utter DIY noob so well chuffed

Thanks to all who helped, couldn't have done it without you!

/jaffas for all

Dougs 24 May 2011 18:10:25 100,415 posts
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Congrats! Always makes you feel good, even something relatively simple. My old man, a plumber, was chuffed as nuts that I
Managed to fix s toilet that wasn't flushing. Think he was more proud of that than when I graduated as I'm a total arse when it comes to DIY!

billythekid 24 May 2011 20:42:09 12,595 posts
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Nice one dude! Fixing stuff is one of the manliest things you can do.
Fixing computers doesn't count btw, unless it includes desoldering stuff.