Anyone know anything about taps?

[BelfastSmile]

Our bathroom tap is playing up. DH wants to get a plumber in, but I'm convinced it could be something simple that we could fix ourselves.

It's a mixer tap, about 10 years old. It's really hard to turn off (especially the hot side). You can eventually get it turned off by turning it back on slightly and then turning in the off direction again. However, after a while (10 mins or so) it then starts running again. At this point it can be turned off further.

It's sometimes a bit hard to get it going to turn it on, but once it's moving it turns ok. Turning off, again it turns fine until a certain point, when it feels like it's fully off, but there's still water running- that's when you have to turn it on slightly and then off some more.

Any ideas? Is it worth taking it apart? I can turn off the water supply to it, that bit is fine!

Does it have capstans or knobs that screw up and down? (Rather than quarter-turn levers?)

Probably the horseshoe clip or jumper has come loose. This is often because someone has been turning the taps off with great force.

Take it apart and replace the washers, reassemble it properly.

A traditional tap with good washers can be turned off with one finger. Great force is not required, all it does is crush the washers and wear out the tap. Sadly some people have got into the habit and won't stop.

Does it have capstans or knobs that screw up and down? (Rather than quarter-turn levers?)

Do you mean the type of tap? They're like knobs, the kind of thing you'd see on a bog-standard article about taps. Nothing fancy.

I'll have a go at taking one apart and see what happens. We've a neighbour who's got building experience and can have a bash at most things, so I'll maybe get him on standby.

Lots of utubes on "how to change a tap washer"

You need a UK one, not American as their plumbing is very different.

Try Videojug.

You will need a cheap set of three adjustable wrenches, some screwdrivers, a green scourer to clean the internal parts, and preferably some PTFE tape to seal the screw threads before reassembly. And some tapwashers

White silicone grease for the moving parts is useful but not widely sold. An eggcupful will last a lifetime.

Check prices on Screwfix before you buy.

Put in the plug and lay an old towel in the basin before you start for the things you drop.

Ok, thanks! That's really helpful!

When you say 3 adjustable wrenches, are there specific sizes? Or do I just need to have 3 of them?

This sort of thing. Small, medium large.

www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-adjustable-wrench-set-3-pieces/6392c

They're not very good, but they'll do for taps.

Thanks, @PigletJohn!