Monobloc kitchen tap mystery

[GeoffLondon]

On this kitchen tap (pictured) I can't see a way to remove the tap handles to get inside to access the washers, valves, etc. to repair a drip.

Tap

• GeoffLondon
• 22 Mar 2015
• 1

Wing Lever Monobloc

I can feel a hole around the back that probably contains a grub screw that would release the curved spout. But it seems like nothing else comes off, as far as I can see or feel.

Any ideas? Is this just cheap tat, made to be replaced, and not repaired?

Thanks,
Geoff

 

[kidgreen61]

Presumably, the round part at the bottom of the tap levers will unscrew,
or, do the tap levers just pull off?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

They are not all the same, but if you cannot see any fixing screws or a small access hole to fixing screws. Generally the tap lever will lift straight up, with some gently force. This will then give you access to the valve, there will likely be a cir-clip over the spindle.

 

[GeoffLondon]

the round part at the bottom of the tap levers will unscrew

Hi KidGreen61,

Thanks for the response.
The round part at the bottom of the tap levers is one solid piece of metal with the tap levers, not separate.

The other alternative is worth a try (pull off). I'll see...

 

[Dan Robinson]

Looks like cheap tat, but there might be a grub screw on the round base of the handles.

 

[GeoffLondon]

the tap lever will lift straight up, with some gentle force

Hi PrenticeBoy,

Yes, gentle force did lift off the tap lever, after a little bit of rocking back and forth.

Now I'm faced with this (pictured) that looks very approachable!

Tap closeup

• GeoffLondon
• 22 Mar 2015
• 1

After gently lifting off the lever (cold water side), with the help of a screwdriver, and some...

Thank you, all!
Geoff

 

[polesapart]

Its a Bristan.(Echo?) you'll probably need new ceramic cartridges.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The blue plastic, should also lift away, this will then leave access to spindle clip and the valve nut.

 

[GeoffLondon]

The blue plastic, should also lift away, this will then leave access to spindle clip and the valve nut.

PrenticeBoy, you are exactly right. It came apart just as you said, and now I can see all the parts in front of me...

Untitled

• GeoffLondon
• 26 Apr 2015
• 1

I figured the cartridges would be standard, and I could take to any ironmonger for replacement.

But having the old part in-hand was not enough! It turns out to be impossible to replace the cartridges without knowing the make and model of tap, according to the experts at Nu-Line in London.

Home again -- looking at faint writing on the base of the tap -- I found out the make of tap it is: Damixa. And looking online I found the model: Damixa Venus.
http://www.damixa.com/p/1440/Venus/Kitchen-Mixer

Anyone know a good place to purchase replacement cartridges?

Geoff

 

[muggles]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAMIXA-replacement-ceramic-cartridge-quarter/dp/B00BPDUSBW

 

[Classic40]

You would be better off buying a new tap.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Tap...Deva+Kitchen+Lever+Mono+Sink+Mixer+Tap/p18942

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

For replacements, best take them to your local plumbers merchants.

 

[footprints]

Try here, very quick service.

http://www.shop.lunns.net/ceramic-disc-valves-42-c.asp

 

[GeoffLondon]

Anyone know a good place to purchase replacement cartridges?
Geoff

So, ultimately, I found what I needed from www.TapMagician.co.uk
I wrote to them on their website, and told them I had a Damixa Venus, and they wrote back and said I needed a pair of QE53 cartridges.

The price was about 40 quid and 3 quid for shipping. Ordered on the weekend, and they arrived by Royal Mail on Tuesday.

Fitted them Tuesday night, and now it's all done. No more leaks.

The one strange thing, is that the pair of QE53 cartridges are puportedly colour coded red and blue for hot and cold, and the colours were the wrong way around, so after I got it all fixed, I had to take it apart and do it the opposite way, so the handles would pivot in the correct direction.

So the next plumber who takes it all apart will see the red tap on cold and blue on hot, and wonder "whaaaa?"

Thanks everyone for help!

Geoff

 

[longdogs]

Anyone know a good place to purchase replacement cartridges?
Geoff

So, ultimately, I found what I needed from www.TapMagician.co.uk
I wrote to them on their website, and told them I had a Damixa Venus, and they wrote back and said I needed a pair of QE53 cartridges.

The price was about 40 quid and 3 quid for shipping. Ordered on the weekend, and they arrived by Royal Mail on Tuesday.

Fitted them Tuesday night, and now it's all done. No more leaks.

The one strange thing, is that the pair of QE53 cartridges are puportedly colour coded red and blue for hot and cold, and the colours were the wrong way around, so after I got it all fixed, I had to take it apart and do it the opposite way, so the handles would pivot in the correct direction.

So the next plumber who takes it all apart will see the red tap on cold and blue on hot, and wonder "whaaaa?"

Thanks everyone for help!

Geoff

Lever taps quite often come with the levers pointing outwards in the off position and it is left to the plumber to change them round to a more useable position. Almost everyone prefers it the other way.