My Cold bath tap has become very stiff ......

[timmy toad]

My missus who suffers from arthritis has just started to complain about the cold bath tap being too stiff to turn, it is a ceramic disc quarter turn type made by BRISTAN

Si thought Easy to fix, get some new handles/levers with more leverage. So i go to unscrew the handle retaining screw and there is no screw !, there looks to be a small chrome domed plug !!!!.

So my first question has to be, How on earth can i take the handle OFF please, and then i would hope i could get a different shape handle/lever to simply put in it's place, or am I dreaming?

Second question, the cold bath tap that needs the new handle/lever is a bit stiff to turn anyway, so i seem to remember that with the handle removed AND turning the water OFF i can can simply unscrew the ceramic disc cartridge and put a new one in, probable a pair !.

Anyway i have thoughtfully taken a photo of the offending domed chrome plug to give somebody here a better idea of what i am up against !.

Tim

Untitled

• timmy toad
• 18 Nov 2012
• 1

 

[HERTS P&D]

Sometimes it better just to change the complete tap.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/h-c-dual-commercial-lever-bath-shower-mixer-bathroom-tap/25843

Andy

 

[calorific]

TBH the amount of time spent faffing around with these, you'd be wiser to follow Hert's advice. You'll need a small number of tools to do this (adjustable basin spanner and box spanner) which will set you back a few quid, but will last you a lifetime and will be of help if you need to renew other taps to more managable ones for your wife.

 

[timmy toad]

I was dreading a reply like that, because the side of the bath from where i have to get access to the Tap nuts is all tiled !!!!!!, and it is right next door to the WC !!!.

I DO KNOW that when i did tile the side of the bath, i did make an access panel that was 3 tiles wide and 1 tile high and i have been dreading the day when i will have to remove it again.

I was hoping i would simply be able to replace the lever and the cartridge but leave the body where it is !!.

Hey i found the picture, yippee !.

Tim

 

[timmy toad]

OK lads, i take on board what you are both saying about replacing the taps as the best option.
BUT you can see in the picture, the little plug i am referring to, is it possible to remove it, would i have to destroy it to remove it and would i find a screw to undo when i do remove it ???

Tim

 

[seco services]

That's a bristan java
Remove the chrome cap and then use a 2.5mm allen key to loosen the grub screw.

PT No

VS03-B24C - Cold cartridge
VS03-B24H - Hot cartridge
VS03-C24 - Pair cartridges.

 

[Agile]

Thats fine Seco but just how does he remove the domed plug?

Or how would I remove it?

Tony

 

[seco services]

Thats fine Seco but just how does he remove the domed plug?

Or how would I remove it?

Tony

What the cap over the grub screw ?

 

[Agile]

No, the cap over his domed head!

 

[timmy toad]

Howdy friends, hey how did you know i had a bald head ?? LOL

Seriously now, i have just had another look at my problem tap and i noticed it was bit rattly and i just pulled it upwards and it came off with the little allen screw rattling around in the bath, not going down the plug hole.

Also, rather happily, i could now see from inside the lever/knob how and what i have to do to get dammed screw plug out !!!!

Thanks for your help Lads AND Lasses, i am still keen on simply replacing the cartridges and the levers !

Tim

 

[conny]

No, the cap over his domed head!