Fixing Taps?

CrankR · 03-02-2008, 06:53 AM

Hi guys,

Have a few taps around the house that are abit on the tight side when turning on or off. They aren't leaking so don't need new washers or re-seating.

Am capable of undoing he main part of the tap (to change washers) but was wondering if there was any maintainence that could be done on that part of the tap to make them turn more freely?

Thanx,

CrankR.

reece1 · 03-02-2008, 08:09 AM

you can replace the rubber in the tap shaft, sometimes can make it tight, also some washers are garbage too hard

Yellow_Festiva · 03-02-2008, 08:19 AM

Yes, when you do replace the washers, remember to replace the rubber O rings.

Are they not leaking because you wind em up tight? If you are going to pull em apart, use a tap re-seater to grind the tap seat flat. It takes some fiddling to use, but they cost all of 10 bucks and are great. You will know they are done when you look into the tap shaft and see a clean copper ring.

Also, spend a bit more on washers, use the domed ones (I have used these and they are great) or I have seen a new type of yellow washer that actually has a hollow sorta diaphragm that uses the water pressure to create a better seal with minimal tap turns.

vandrsxr6 · 03-02-2008, 10:32 AM

Might be the O rings in the spindles. If you've had trouble with leaking taps before and you kept over tightening then the rings will wear out.

You'll 8.5mm O rings X 2 for each spindles. While your at it I'd give them a good clean with a wire brush to get all the old grime of.