Which tap is leaking in our kitchen mixer tap?

[cheddarman]

I have a mixer tap on our kitchen sink and it's started to drip.
I c an see how it comes apart but how will I know which one is leaking once I open them up or should I just change both washers to be on the safe side?

Thank you.

 

[moonlight]

Turn either the hot or cold off to determine which is dripping.

 

[cheddarman]

Turn either the hot or cold off to determine which is dripping.

Doh! Right Simpson moment!

 

[moonlight]

Doh! Right Simpson moment!

At each service valve. They are not washers either. You will need to take the one that is the problem and the head to buy the correct one.

 

[cheddarman]

At each service valve. They are not washers either. You will need to take the one that is the problem and the head to buy the correct one.

Thank's, yes forgot about them

 

[Best]

Hello Cheddarman. If you push one of the handles in towards the tap body and the drip stops or lessens, then that is the faulty side. That often works.
I find most of the mixers I fix are the cold works faulty, but could also be the hot of course.

 

[king of pipes]

As above turn one side off at a time a new tap insert will be needed as they are quater turn operation and the inserts are handed for hot and cold it looks like a tap from Howdens I fitted one recently ? Kop

 

[cheddarman]

As above turn one side off at a time a new tap insert will be needed as they are quater turn operation and the inserts are handed for hot and cold it looks like a tap from Howdens I fitted one recently ? Kop

Many thanks for that.
Yes it is a Howdens kitchen. Bought the new build bungalow about three years ago and already the worktop is "swelling" where the joints weren't sealed properly!
So I have to replace the complete insert, not just a washer?

 

[moonlight]

Many thanks for that.
Yes it is a Howdens kitchen. Bought the new build bungalow about three years ago and already the worktop is "swelling" where the joints weren't sealed properly!
So I have to replace the complete insert, not just a washer?

Its a ceramic cartridge like this.

 

[cheddarman]

Unfortunately the installation plumbers haven't fitted isolation valves in the supply to the mixer (as they have on all others) so have a bit of a quandary as to how to isolate them! They come off the main system which is pressurised and comprises an Air Source heat pump so I am reluctant to turn off the main supply and drain the system!!

 

[moonlight]

Unfortunately the installation plumbers haven't fitted isolation valves in the supply to the mixer (as they have on all others) so have a bit of a quandary as to how to isolate them! They come off the main system which is pressurised and comprises an Air Source heat pump so I am reluctant to turn off the main supply and drain the system!!

You could turn off the supply to the cylinder that would then prove if its the hot. You can turn the cold off at the main stop tap. Good luck

 

[SimonG]

Buy as a pair. Change as a pair.

 

[cheddarman]

Buy as a pair. Change as a pair.

OK, I've got the Daikin engineer coming next week so will do this at the same time as I'm probably going to have to drain the system, there being no isolating valves fitted.
I will buy a pair but how can I be sure I'm getting the correct item? I can find nothing in the "house manual" about parts used in the kitchen.
It is a Howden kitchen.
Cheers
[automerge]1573214113[/automerge]
Further to my last, I contacted Howden, gave them the invoice number from 2015 and they have found the purchase and confirmed the tap needed. They have ordered the inserts and they'll be available next week. Excellent service!!
Thanks to all on here for the help.
Cheers

 

[Stigster]

I will buy a pair but how can I be sure I'm getting the correct item?

That's the problem. Because there are so many different types where the spline count (the "teeth" that have to match up with the head) is different or the diametre of the spindle is different, we usually take the faulty cartridge to the merchant and match one up.

Depending upon location and when paying a plumber to do the job that is sometimes uneconomical so sometimes it's better to change the whole tap. I'm not saying you'll have to do that, just that it is a possibility.

I'll have a quick look and see if I can find your tap and if there is a recommended cartridge for it though.
[automerge]1573209441[/automerge]
OK, I've found your tap and all the technical information but as usual, there is no proper information for the cartridge it uses so again, as usual, the cartridge will either need to be removed and taken to a plumber's merchant for matching or the whole tap replaced.

Whilst your plumber is there and they have isolated the tap for you and removed the cartridge you could take it to the merchant yourself. If they don't have the one you need at least you will be in the right place to get advice or pick up a new tap.

Lamona Victorian White Handle Chrome Mono Mixer Tap

This Victorian-style swan neck tap with white lever handles will add a soft shade of purist influence to your kitchen design. It works with both low and high water pressure systems and the dual flow makes selecting the right water temperature easy.

www.howdens.com

 

[cheddarman]

That's the problem. Because there are so many different types where the spline count (the "teeth" that have to match up with the head) is different or the diametre of the spindle is different, we usually take the faulty cartridge to the merchant and match one up.

Depending upon location and when paying a plumber to do the job that is sometimes uneconomical so sometimes it's better to change the whole tap. I'm not saying you'll have to do that, just that it is a possibility.

I'll have a quick look and see if I can find your tap and if there is a recommended cartridge for it though.
[automerge]1573209441[/automerge]
OK, I've found your tap and all the technical information but as usual, there is no proper information for the cartridge it uses so again, as usual, the cartridge will either need to be removed and taken to a plumber's merchant for matching or the whole tap replaced.

Whilst your plumber is there and they have isolated the tap for you and removed the cartridge you could take it to the merchant yourself. If they don't have the one you need at least you will be in the right place to get advice or pick up a new tap.

Lamona Victorian White Handle Chrome Mono Mixer Tap

This Victorian-style swan neck tap with white lever handles will add a soft shade of purist influence to your kitchen design. It works with both low and high water pressure systems and the dual flow makes selecting the right water temperature easy.

www.howdens.com

Many thanks for all this info.
]As I said above, I contacted Howden, they tracked down the original invoice from the builder and have ordered me a pair of inserts fo the tap.
]I am tempted to fit a couple of isolating cocks while the system is down!!

 

[Stigster]

Excellent. That's ideal. Definitely fit some service valves at the same time.

 

[moonlight]

You don't need to drain the hot water if you have a mains fed cylinder. Just turn the cold mains off, inside or outside. Open taps check no flow and begin.

 

[cheddarman]

You don't need to drain the hot water if you have a mains fed cylinder. Just turn the cold mains off, inside or outside. Open taps check no flow and begin.

Thanks for that! ................(these to make the reply 20 characters long)