Can’t get the tap cap off.

[AliB]

Dripping IKEA tap. Can’t get the tap cap off for love nor money.

I guess it must prise off or unscrew but the cap fits so flush to the tap there is nothing to prise under or any way of unscrewing it. Very flummoxed

Any ideas welcome please.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

It looks like one of the cross head spindles unscrew?

 

[AliB]

It looks like one of the cross head spindles unscrew?

It looks like one of the cross head spindles unscrew?

No. They are fixed, moulded to the centre. It’s definitely the central cap that needs to be removed but we can’t get it off.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

No. They are fixed, moulded to the centre. It’s definitely the central cap that needs to be removed but we can’t get it off.

Try (carefully) to use a utility knife to flick the center cap out then.

 

[AliB]

Try (carefully) to use a utility knife to flick the center cap out then.

Done that. No go.

 

[Ben-gee]

Try unscrewing the centre cap, put on rubber gloves and press really hard downwards as you do it?

 

[RayW]

Turn off water supply, turn on tap fully, un-screw shroud. Is there sufficient gap for thin spanner to access cartridge?

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Do you know the model of the tap? Or perhaps contact Ikea?

 

[Basher]

No. They are fixed, moulded to the centre. It’s definitely the central cap that needs to be removed but we can’t get it off.

Can I ask why you are convinced the crosshead arms do not unscrew?
I'm sure they aren't literally 'moulded' as they seem to be machined brass parts, and would normally be screwed and loctite'ed into the centre. I've seen types of Ikea tap that unscrew like this, where one arm hides a grubscrew, which when undone releases the handle.

 

[AliB]

Turn off water supply, turn on tap fully, un-screw shroud. Is there sufficient gap for thin spanner to access cartridge?

No. You can only just see the nut.

 

[AliB]

Can I ask why you are convinced the crosshead arms do not unscrew?
I'm sure they aren't literally 'moulded' as they seem to be machined brass parts, and would normally be screwed and loctite'ed into the centre. I've seen types of Ikea tap that unscrew like this, where one arm hides a grubscrew, which when undone releases the handle.

There is no evidence of any grub screw anywhere & when you look closely at the screw arms there is no join gap, even miniscule.

 

[AliB]

Do you know the model of the tap? Or perhaps contact Ikea?

It’s at least 17 years old. I haven’t a clue what it was called. Knowing IKEA they won’t have a clue about undoing it. I doubt they actually made it, or could tell me the name of the company that made it. It’s a shame because I love the tap. It’s possible that a bit of grit has got into it & is preventing it shutting right off. The ceramic faces may just need cleaning or polishing.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Can I ask why you are convinced the crosshead arms do not unscrew?
I'm sure they aren't literally 'moulded' as they seem to be machined brass parts, and would normally be screwed and loctite'ed into the centre. I've seen types of Ikea tap that unscrew like this, where one arm hides a grubscrew, which when undone releases the handle.

The screw arms still look like they unscrew imo, I can see what appear so to be a join. Failing that, they may just pull off.

 

[steadyon]

I can think of 3 possibilities. In my view their order of likeliness is:
1. That domed disc at the top of the handle does unscrew. Try descaling and pouring boiling water over it, then something like a rubber glove to give extra grip.
2. The round chrome shroud below the handle unscrews from the body of the tap, and the handle comes of with it. Some VADO taps use this method. Again, rubber gloves for extra grip.
3. As suggested above, one of the handles "spokes" unscrews to reveal a grub screw.