Kitchen Tap Leak

[bettz1]

Hi,

Our kitchen tap seems to have a slow leak. It seems to be coming out somewhere on the cold water side although the I can't see any washers I need to replace any ideas?

Also there seems to be water building up at the top of the mixer part.

 

[Ian H]

You need to turn the water off and undo that big nut.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If the leak only happens when the taps are on, then its the seals inside the swivelling spout.
2. If the leak happens when the taps are off, then one or both of the tap valve cartridges is leaking, and the spout seal appears to be leaking as well.
3. To the remove the cartridges, do as Ian H suggests above.
4. To remove the spout, check for a screw or Allen grub screw round the back. If there is one, undo it (not quite all the way out and don't lose it) and pull the spout out. If there isn't one, try turning the spout 90 degree from fully facing the front and try pulling.
5. To get the correct cartridges and spout seals its best to know the make and model of tap. May be marked on it somewhere, if not, try shower doc.
6. If you have to change one cartridge. I'd suggest changing both at the same time.

 

[bettz1]

P

1. If the leak only happens when the taps are on, then its the seals inside the swivelling spout.
2. If the leak happens when the taps are off, then one or both of the tap valve cartridges is leaking, and the spout seal appears to be leaking as well.
3. To the remove the cartridges, do as Ian H suggests above.
4. To remove the spout, check for a screw or Allen grub screw round the back. If there is one, undo it (not quite all the way out and don't lose it) and pull the spout out. If there isn't one, try turning the spout 90 degree from fully facing the front and try pulling.
5. To get the correct cartridges and spout seals its best to know the make and model of tap. May be marked on it somewhere, if not, try shower doc.
6. If you have to change one cartridge. I'd suggest changing both at the same time.

The tap leaks slowly when the taps turned on. Once off it's fine or so we think after drying the water around the tap nothing more comes out in the off position.

I was worried I was going to have to undo the screws under the sink to get the swivel part off as there's no grub at the back of it I'll try turning it 90 degrees first

 

[bettz1]

Right taken out the tap cartridges is there any way to tell if there damaged?

Also the only marking on them is by the brass bit which says SMR 09/11,i take it that's the cartridge size i want to order?

There about 52mm in length

 

[oldbuffer]

1. No, there is no way to tell by inspection. The seal is between the two mating flat surfaces of the ceramic discs, and;
1a. You'd need a good microscope to detect flaws in the mating surfaces.
1b. They often leak because the blue / red silicone rubber washers have worn. It's the compression of these washer which pushes the ceramic seals together.
2. Now you've got them out, consider replacing them anyway.
3. It's the spout that is leaking, you have to find the way to get it out. Try as mentioned earlier, or maybe that shroud at the base of the tap end of the spout unscrews / twists and comes off?
4. There appears to be a model / make etched into the rear of the base of the tap. "ABAD2--" is visible, what does the whole thing say?
5. Get the make and model and you may find instructions on the internet.

 

[bettz1]

1. No, there is no way to tell by inspection. The seal is between the two mating flat surfaces of the ceramic discs, and;
1a. You'd need a good microscope to detect flaws in the mating surfaces.
1b. They often leak because the blue / red silicone rubber washers have worn. It's the compression of these washer which pushes the ceramic seals together.
2. Now you've got them out, consider replacing them anyway.
3. It's the spout that is leaking, you have to find the way to get it out. Try as mentioned earlier, or maybe that shroud at the base of the tap end of the spout unscrews / twists and comes off?
4. There appears to be a model / make etched into the rear of the base of the tap. "ABAD2--" is visible, what does the whole thing say?
5. Get the make and model and you may find instructions on the internet.

Great spot didn't even see the letters on the base of the tap.

I think it says ABAD20212 but a google search brings nothing up

I'm trying to undo the shroud but its in the most awkward position under the sink


Managed to get the spout off,from what i can see the seals look fine?

From what i can see that looks like my tap

https://www.tap-spares.com/p/Genoa-Cruciform-Monobloc_313.html

 

[oldbuffer]

1. The upper black rubber O ring seal looks damaged.
2. I don't think its a Genoa, the round part of the handles appear parallel throughout their length, the Genoa are cone shaped.
3. If you have access to a vernier or digital caliper:
3a. Remove the bottom O ring.
3b. Measure the diameter of its seating in the spout.
3c. Measure the thickness of the rubber O ring
3d. See if you can get a pair of O rings to match.
4. Otherwise try getting a set of the spout seals for a Genoa or Akron (they are the same), and see if they fit. No guarantees.

 

[bettz1]

1. The upper black rubber O ring seal looks damaged.
2. I don't think its a Genoa, the round part of the handles appear parallel throughout their length, the Genoa are cone shaped.
3. If you have access to a vernier or digital caliper:
3a. Remove the bottom O ring.
3b. Measure the diameter of its seating in the spout.
3c. Measure the thickness of the rubber O ring
3d. See if you can get a pair of O rings to match.
4. Otherwise try getting a set of the spout seals for a Genoa or Akron (they are the same), and see if they fit. No guarantees.

Cheers I'm going to take it to the plumbers merchants on monday

 

[bettz1]

So thought I'd update its started to leak again I changed the o rings last time but it looks like the cartridge has slight cracks in on the cold tap.

You can see in the pics the cold valve is covered in limescale

I'm hoping I can get away with the bristan ones from screw fix although knowing my luck the size will be slightly out

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bristan-...Iv3KQc-6aQbCBCYBx4Uk--keM8CrSK3waAnbYEALw_wcB

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Could it be an abode tap?

 

[bettz1]

Could it be an abode tap?

The taps a leisure aquadisc 2 cheapest I can find the replacement valve are around £16

https://www.tap-spares.com/p/Aquadisc-2-TAD2-2004-Onwards_281.html

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Sorry didn't see the last photo til just

 

[Madrab]

How old is the tap? What does it owe you? I'd just spend £50 and replace it TBH. Costs more in time in effort to fix it I'd say.

 

[bettz1]

How old is the tap? What does it owe you? I'd just spend £50 and replace it TBH. Costs more in time in effort to fix it I'd say.

Taps are about 6 years old tbh the Mrs wants new taps and a sink, with it always looking dirty but that's partly down to the tap leaking, cleaned them all up today no more limescale just need to stop the dripping on the cold side, plus its still leaking from the middle spout