Should I do this DIY myself or get someone

[Bluewaterloo]

I need to replace a leaking kitchen tap. I tried to get a plumber twice over the past month but they were no shows.

I checked online on videos on how to shut off the water and disconnect the fittings and old tap.

And how to instal a new tap.

I bought a tap from Amazon and waiting for delivery. I will have to order some more tools.

I don't feel in any way confident doing this myself. Even with videos.

My only apprenshion is will the new fittings fit my current how and water pipe fittings. I do t know what fittings I have under the kitchen sink. Do you know female/male threads. This is the only thing that's holding me back.

I do t want to take out the old tap to discover that the new fittings won't go in.

Should it I continue calling plumbers or find a handyman or should I take a chance with this myself.

Do it! The sense of achievement will be huge, and the video's are generally really good.

If you have a disaster, you've turned the water off already and can get a plumber in - but I think you'll be surprised.

I've fitted all sorts myself, but then again I did work in construction for over a decade.

Is it leaking as in dripping or leaking somewhere else? It could just need a new washer.

if you want to install a new tap, what is the original tap set up [take a photo] and what is the new one you are fitting [take a photo]. Post both on here and we may be able to help.

Can you not just change the washer?

I'm not bad at DIY with the help of Youtube but I won't touch electrics or plumbing (apart from a washer change).

The tap that needs replacing is a lever tap. When the lever is pulled up to turn the tap on, it leaks under the lever and let's water flow. It's not a big flood but it is getting worse. The counter top is getting wet. Currently trying to keep it dry.

I have aging mother that doesn't have the comprehension to minimise the use of a tap and she's also paranoid about anyone driving into the driveway and any man that comes into the house as if he's a bad person.

This tap needs replacing. My mother will be gone on Saturday so I hope to tackle it then.

The sink has one hole for the tap so that's the tap I bought. I bought a one hole mixer tap.

It's not a washer job. It's a lever tap that is leaking when it's pulled up letting out a flood onto the sink and the counter behind.

This is the hot and cold water pipe fittings under the tap as it is now.

I am concerned that maybe the new tap may not connect into the existing fitting as shown here.

In that case I would try to call someone in if possible. If it doesn't fit, you (or they) can use an adapter although I can't remember what they're called.

Could you post in your local FB group for recommendations?

I know I will have to loosen the bolts under the red circle to dismantle the tap and take it out.

But what am I supposed to do with this get up as circled in the red. Is that screw just keeping the pipes together and will it be easy to take apart.

I think the tap I ordered has female thread.

I do t know if it's going to fit onto this.

I had that with a lever tap but it just needed an allen key tightening.

Can you take a photo of the tap itself and we might be able to resolve it for you.

If you've been watching videos and buying tools you sound pretty confident to me. I replaced the innards of a toilet cistern and had absolutely no plumbing experience. Just take things steady and keep a firm hand on the stop cock/cutoff valve.

This is the tap.

The tap does need replacing. It's leaking under the lever when it's pulled up to use it.

My only apprehension at this point is the threads on the new fittings and connecting the new fittings to the water outlet fittings that's already here.

I think the new tap has female threads.

When you turn off the stop tap, open both hot and cold on the tap and wait until there's no water flow. (You may have water in a tank which will take a while to drain out).

Buy some ptfe tape to wrap around the threads once you're ready to connect the new one - it'll help stop the join leaking and you won't feel the need to over-tighten the nuts (don't over tighten them as it may damage the threads).

Have you got a couple of adjustable spanners - there'll probably be another bigger nut just under the sink holding the tap in place which is usually a bigger nut. Buy two, so that you have the ability to have two spanners on different nuts at the same time if you need to put force on one of them to loosen it. When putting force on a nut, you need to hold the other components steady or you may loosen other parts of the pipework.

The bit you have circled is the bracket holding the pipes to the wall, but not inherently important. However you have an earth lead attached as well, not unusual and you should be able to relocate it below the joint.

Your new tap will probably come with flexible hoses to fix to the existing pipe. Do not undo anything until you have checked that these hoses are long enough to meet that join.

Thank you for all of the replies.

I read some reviews on the tap I bought on amazon and this is one review and there's a few more like this but not a lot of them.

This is one review

This is the tap I bought.

I am finding it impossible for anyone to come and replace the tap.

Is there a local handyman could try?
I'm sure it wouldn't need a qualified plumber just someone used to DIY

I came on to say the plumbers tape [PTFE] which you wrap around the thread of the joint before screwing the fitting..is very important to make a sound, dry join.

Thank you so much for all of the replies.

I was reading another online page. I hope to make an online order for some tools tonight.

I will buy some mono spanners. I don't know the name of them.
I will buy other tools like spanners and tape. I will buy a selection of connectors too.

Thank you for walking me through some of the steps here I am clueless.

Before I do anything I will check to see if the flexitails will fit the length under my sink.
Then when I turn off the water connection, I will let the water run and drain the tank.

I haven't a clue what I am doing but I will see if I can do it. I am so nervous.

Will the stop cock lever stop the water to the kitchen sink?
A YouTube video shows screws under the kitchen sink to turn but I can't identify them under my sink.

God, I am so nervous.

I'm getting no help from anyone.

It really isn't easily. My mother has ignored a leak for months and she refuses to sort this out and it just falls back onto me.

Sounds like you are as nervous as I am with DIY, and I wouldn't try it.

Can you look for a handyman rather than plumber? Ask neighbours, or local Facebook group?