repair shower mixer tap

[adivadiv]

Hello chaps, I have a shower mixer tap, the sort where when you turn the tap on, it fills the bath and if you want it to come out of the shower head you push the knob down. Well it is playing up in that when you turn the tap on, it comes out of the shower head straight away so i think that either a washer prob or it needs cleaning out inside. My prob is that I don't know how to take it a part. It does seem to have a pin of some sort that goes right through the knob. It may even be a very small allen key. Can anyone help me please, I am desperate as I have just sold the house and I want it to work right for the buyer.
Thank you.
jake

 

[ChrisR]

I've had a few in bits, with variable results. Quite often the design is dire and a tiny bit of wear means you can do nothing with it. Sometimes lubricating them makes them worse! Just hand over £50 towards a new one!

 

[taydo]

the majority I go to you pull the knob up. The water pressure then holds the knob up until you switch it off.
they quite often get scaled up and jam on in the way you describe.

I agree with Chris go out and buy another one or have a word with the new owners chances are they will rip the bathroom suite out and replace it anyway.

 

[adivadiv]

Well thanks boys for the reply, but could you be a bit more negative please. Bloody hell, you are youngsters of course, because I am used to repairing things and you are used to binning things. So do you both work for plummers merchants. Good on yer.
But this is a repair, and not a modern think, just replace it, thing.
The question was, "how do I take it apart"
If I could take it apart, I can fix it. It really just needs cleaning. The water supply to this address was very bad untill 2 years ago.
Ok chaps, any tradesmen here that could tell me how to take it apart.
No more coyboys please.
Thank you.
jake

 

[the plumber]

apart from not taking advice from people that know what else do you do?
there are hundreds of makes of these taps some are allen keys some are l or r threads some are bayonet which make is yours and if your to tight to pay a plumber buy a new one

 

[petert11]

Managed to get mine apart. After removing connector for shower hose a large allen key allowed removal of water diverter mechanism.

 

[mickyg]

But this is a repair, and not a modern think, just replace it, thing.

Its not about modern thinking, its about modern manufacture. these things are not made to be repaired, they're made to be throw away and replaced. You may be able to take it apart and clean it up, yes its possible, but the "best" advice is to replace it as 90% of the time they can't be repaired. You asked for advice, you got it and ignored it. Good luck fixing it.

 

[jobloggs]

Best bet is to post a photo of tap so that people can see what's involved.

 

[gremlin16]

there are hundreds of makes of these taps some are allen keys some are l or r threads some are bayonet

and many are foreign carp.

 

[Technotim]

cor aren't we doom and gloom throw away society.

Managed to get mine apart. After removing connector for shower hose a large allen key allowed removal of water diverter mechanism.

as above if the shower diverter is spout mounted.

If it is top mounted the where the body meets then is similar when the hose is dead bottom of the diverter these are easier, if it is front mounted like on traditional types they can be a bugger.(wow that was clever I never put the asterixs in that word)

Best bet is to post a photo of tap so that people can see what's involved.

that would be the best or a make and model.

 

[jimbob690]

This web page may help everyone

http://www.lets-do-diy.com/Projects-and-advice/Plumbing/Minor-plumbing-repairs.aspx

 

[spamface]

This web page may help everyone

http://--/Projects-and-advice/Plumbing/Minor-plumbing-repairs.aspx

Yes it did thanks, shower diverter failed this morning.
Being too "tight" to throw away £50 on something I don't need I fixed it with an adjustable spanner, mole grips and a small bag of assorted washers I had in a drawer. Took less time to fix than it would driving round to B&Q.
Result!