It's Dripping and Leaking! But Which Part is Likely to Require Replacement?

[peterfoster]

Got an eleven year old Franke Danube quarter turn operation, swivel spout, ceramic dish, twin lever mixer tap. It drips a little from the top of the spout unless you turn it off with some force! There is also a leak which appears (when the flow of water is turned on highish) where the spout meets the spout fixing bush. Which part should I replace, please? Thanks.

 

[Gray0689]

The taps
Ceramic quarter turn not worth messing about you won't fix it

 

[WHPES]

Franke spares are readily available and promptly despatched - see their website.

Where the spout meets the base its just an o-ring. If youre ordering a cartridge get them to send you the o ring as well

 

[Timbob]

You need two new ceramic disc cartridges, from FRANKE for that model tap, they are very make and model specific, so you need the right ones. you need the two as its a mixer tap you cant be sure which cartridge is leaking. 9 times out of 10 that will stop the drip. The leaking spout, where it joing the body of the tap, will require new O-rings, again for that model tap from the manufacturer.

If you cant get the specific cartridges, dont waste your time, just get a new complete tap.

 

[peterfoster]

Thanks for your help, guys. Having called Franke I have established that I don't have the Danube tap but the earlier Professional Cruciform one instead but they are very similar so I assume your comments will still be applicable. The cost of the two valves and the "O" ring kit is £24.67 delivered so I just need to decide whether to order the parts and repair what I have or go for a new unit.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Yep, thats the choice you know have

I would say a nice new tap but obviously thats more money

Dopnt go a buy a cheapo tap though as it will be from China and you will have a leak this time next year

 

[peterfoster]

I've ordered the "O" rings kit but have delayed ordering the two ceramic cartridges because I can't get the old old ones off! I've taken the plastic handles off but I can't loosen the nuts on the valves. I guess the valves must be coroded in by limescale. I've tried to loosen them with a monkey wrench but they won't budge. Is it just a question of applying more "brute strength" until they eventually loosen or is there an alternative strategy I could employ such as spraying the nut with WD40 or something! Thanks.

 

[Timbob]

WD40 tends not to help in that situation mate, The cartridges keep the water in, and in the same way they will keep the WD40 out, if you see what I mean.

It would be unusual to not be able to get the cartridges out of a mixer tap as you can get fairly good leverage aand a good hold of the tao to hold againt etc...

However, if they wont budge, then new tap im afraid mate.

 

[peterfoster]

I've fitted the "O" ring kit which has solved the problem of the leak where the spout meets the spout fixing bush. Again, I've tried to remove the ceramic cartridges by applying more brute force but they won't budge and I'm concerned that I might damage the tap itself as it's starting to move a bit with the force I am applying to the nut on the cartridge. The only leak I have now is one from the top of the spout - one drip every 10 seconds!

 

[leelister6]

Just get a new tap tightwad!!! LOL

 

[peterfoster]

Look after the pennies....

 

[Gray0689]

Look after the pennies....

That's what he said lol tight

 

[peterfoster]

I'm on a fixed income....

 

[PlumbBobBob]

save up? they're not that expensive really

 

[peterfoster]

Taps are most certainly a requirement. Ideally, taps, which do not leak, would be preferable. Currently, one of my taps is producing a leak of one drop of water every 10 seconds. The problem is defective valves. I am happy to spend the necessary sum of £18 or so to buy these replacement valves. But before ordering these items I have discovered that the existing units are impossible (for me at least) to remove, probably because of corrosion by limescale. So, I could replace the tap (I note that this would cost around £70) and pay someone to install it at a cost of (put something suitable in here, Doris, will you....) or I can leave it to drip at the rate of one drop every ten seconds. Errrr.... that's it.... Many thanks to everyone for your helpful advice.

 

[leelister6]

Well if you cant change the innards you're gonna have to pay someone who knows what they're doing to do the job for you, and there's no guarantee that this will work (scouring on the sealing faces etc.) A new tap may cost you more but will cause less hassle in the long run

 

[peterfoster]

I agree that the expenditure of money will in most cases reduce the degree of hassle.

 

[WHPES]

Last ditch attempt - use a stillson on the cartidges - they WILL come out but they will probably be wrecked in the process, but they are wrecked anyway.

If you cant get a grip and have a good bench vice, take the tap off, wrap in an old towel and place in a vice to get a good purchase