Why would a tap still drip after the entire inside has been replaced?

[homeowner]

It is a handbasin tap and i had a plumber out a few weeks ago. I suspect it may have been sufficient to replace the valve, but was told the whole inside needed to be replaced, which was fine. Anyhow the tap is now dripping again. What possible reason could there be for this? I have turned it off as tight as it will go.

Being told by same plumber i now need a new set of taps. Why would that solve the problem is valeves are what cause taps to drip?

Grateful for your views please

 

[Masood]

When you say it may have been sufficient to replace the valve, I take it you mean washer? Sometimes the tap mechanism is so seized that it's a better long term fix to replace the whole innards as labour charges to free it up would cost more than the parts.

As to why it's still dripping, maybe the tap needs reseating. Doing it up very tight will actually worsen the problem as you'll damage the washer.

 

[solutions]

Your post doesnt make sense. What type of tap is it? monoblock cartridge mixer, Ceramic 1/4 turn mixer or rubber washer tap? On most taps changing the whole inside is changing the valve. Normally assuming yours is a ruber washer tap (big assumption given the lack of specifics in your post but suspected given you stated you have "turned it off as tight as it would go" ) if replacing the whole inside (the valve) has not cured your leak then it is likely the tap seat needs to be reground with a tap reseating tool as the previous leak has worn small chanels in the brass against which the washer closes. However I have never had great success with regrinding tap seats so if it were me it would be more cost effective to change the tap rather than pay someone to attempt to regrind the tap seat only for that not to work and to end up replacing the tap anyway. Also over tightening ruber washer taps is the main cause of them leaking as it over compresses the rubber and deforms it. Dont overtighten taps it wont make them seal better for long.

 

[homeowner]

h I - Yes sorry I meant washer. Sorry if i am not being clear. I dont know what kind of tap it is.

So he replaced the whole inside of the tap, ie washer and whatever else is inside. And it still drips. Now he says i need a new tap - since the inside of the tap was replaced i assume he just means the outside part of the tap ie the cover (the exterior) and i dont see how that will solve the problem. I did look online also and it says what both posters have said - it needs reseating.

If this plumber does not seem to know that is what needs doing, i best get some one else in?

 

[stevetheplumber]

most taps now are tat easier just to replace than attempt repairs

 

[Masood]

h I - Yes sorry I meant washer. Sorry if i am not being clear. I dont know what kind of tap it is.

So he replaced the whole inside of the tap, ie washer and whatever else is inside. And it still drips. Now he says i need a new tap - since the inside of the tap was replaced i assume he just means the outside part of the tap ie the cover (the exterior) and i dont see how that will solve the problem. I did look online also and it says what both posters have said - it needs reseating.

If this plumber does not seem to know that is what needs doing, i best get some one else in?

Your assumption is wrong - by replacing the whole tap you'd not be just replacing the tap body (the outside as you put it) but literally the whole tap. New innards and all. So there'll be a factory-finished seating surface and new washer to ensure a good seal.

 

[kris]

Hi there homeowner. It's a good point mentioned by steve , as you have I presume single taps and not a mixer they are relatively cheap and sometimes just as quick to replace than fart about with ( in some cases not all ).

 

[tamz]

Sounds like he has stuck a couple of adaptataps on.
Regrind the seat and stick domed washers in them or new taps.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Need to look at the seating, are you in a hard water area ? depending how bad seating is and for what basin taps cost just replace them, also do you have high water pressure lot of new taps now will only take about 6 bar.

 

[brum]

new taps all the way not worth messing about with them by the sounds of it they need grinding you can spend an hour doing this and they still leak so customer pays an hour to still get leaky tap.the only (usually) sureway is to replace unless you buy cheap rubbish taps.Never buy taps from a carboot or market these are usually duff stock sold to scrap merchants for scrap prices but some of them think its a viable practice to sell them on..brum

 

[solutions]

When you say it may have been sufficient to replace the valve, I take it you mean washer? Sometimes the tap mechanism is so seized that it's a better long term fix to replace the whole innards as labour charges to free it up would cost more than the parts.

As to why it's still dripping, maybe the tap needs reseating. Doing it up very tight will actually worsen the problem as you'll damage the washer.

Great minds think alike.
Your version is much more concise I must still have been writing mine and thought I would be first reply, only to say essentially exactly the same thingas yours that got in there first.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I always think it's worth having a try at reseating the tap. It only takes a few minutes with a decent tap reseating tool. I reseat loads, no point in chucking away an otherwise decent tap.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

I always think it's worth having a try at reseating the tap. It only takes a few minutes with a decent tap reseating tool. I reseat loads, no point in chucking away an otherwise decent tap.

Spot on Mike....don't just throw it away without at least trying to reseat the tap. just to clear up in my own mind you don't have an under sink water heater that vents through the tap do you?

 

[REDSAW]

the casting of the brass inside the tap starts to crumble after time depending on quality even when its been re-seated

 

[Toxic Ted]

The only unsuccessful seat re cut i had had a hair line crack through it.