leaky tap

[Jennie]

Hi all,
I've got a leaky kitchen tap to mend. It's a monobloc tap, leaking from where the spout joints the tap body (sprays water out when the tap is turned on).
I removed the spout, which wasn't fixed in properly (hence the leak). It basically just lifted out with no effort.
I've attached a pic. The 'o' ring seemed OK. I suspect the problem was with the plastic ring at the base of the spout, whcih wasn't clicking in properly to the tap body. Tehre was no obvious signs of damage though, so I'm puzzled.
Would love to hear your thoughts - I guess you'll all say 'buy a new tap', but it would be interested to fix, if possible.
Jennie
PS. Don't tell me to call out a plumber. I'm a trainee plumber, so would like to do it myself.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

looks like bottom oring is worn out probably, try to go to merchant and get new one. take tap with you if in doubt to get correct size.

 

[Aquazone]

As Galaxy has said, replace both o-rings, bit of grease round them and refit. Make sure you push spout fully home.

There will be a grub screw on back of tap which will need to be tightened against spout.
The plastic ring will prob have a small section missing from it (I.e not a full circle) this gap should be where the grub screw goes.

 

[REDSAW]

tip of the day for you then....
take off 'o' rings, wrap some ptfe around groove about 3-4 times.
reseat rings then re-fit.

 

[lame plumber]

tip of the day for you then....
take off 'o' rings, wrap some ptfe around groove about 3-4 times.
reseat rings then re-fit.

what do you charge for that then🙂

 

[REDSAW]

what do you charge for that then🙂

as much as i can!! min hour for knocking on the door lol.

 

[Best]

If it leaks at the neck, the top 'O' ring will be worn - sometimes it may look ok, as in the photo, but it can be slightly flat. The bottom 'O' ring is a seal between the hot & cold flow of water & it also acts to steady the neck.
Use silicone grease & good luck in finding correct size of 'O' rings!

 

[Jennie]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the 'o' rings need attention.
Should there definitely be a grub screw holding it all together? There wasn't one present when I took the tap apart - though I can ask the owner to have a look at the back of the tap for a screw hole.

 

[Best]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the 'o' rings need attention.
Should there definitely be a grub screw holding it all together? There wasn't one present when I took the tap apart - though I can ask the owner to have a look at the back of the tap for a screw hole.

If there was a grub screw & it is missing, that would explain a leak at the neck! Lol! :smile:
Use a mirror to check.
The grub screws just screw into a groove in the neck, sometimes going through a notch in a plastic sleeve, if one present. The only other type on push on necks is a "ball bearing" on neck that slots down into a notch in the body.

 

[Paulus]

I have never come across one without a grub screw. No grub screw = excessive movement = worn "o" rings = leak. If you can't fit a grub screw I would suggest a new tap although I know you didn't want to hear that.

 

[Best]

I have never come across one without a grub screw. No grub screw = excessive movement = worn "o" rings = leak. If you can't fit a grub screw I would suggest a new tap although I know you didn't want to hear that.

The necks with a "ball bearing" that locks into a horizontal groove are actually quite good - if you come across a mixer without any grub screw, then to remove the neck it usually needs the neck aligned with the slot which will be the spout either pointing to the left or right, depending on mixer type.
If a grub screw is missing, perhaps she might be lucky to salvage one that is right length & threads.