Badly dripping taps - washers /ceramic discs. Please help .

[peridito]

Ok ...kitchen mixer tap and bathroom shower mixer tap both dripping and getting worse .

Finally call in handyman ( please don't judge me for not getting a plumber ) as I thought simple job change wsher .

He dismantled ,used vinegar ,reassembled .No good . He recommends new taps . Says ceramic disc bit can be expensive and we don't know make ,might as well get new taps .

What do ppl think ? If ceramic discs deterioate like this ( 2 or 3 years since replaced ) would it be better to look for taps with washers which hopefully could be replaced at less coat ?

Do they make taps with washers anymore ?

We are in SE London and v v hard water - you can see a white film on the surface of a glass of blackcurrant squash . Water board say something about end of a run .

Bumping as I'd like to know too.

We are also in SE London in a hard water area but have never had ceramic discs.

The kitchen tap has just started to drip after 20 years and I can't remember replacing a washer in all of that time.

photos of your taps may help.

yes you can still get taps with washers. I like Bristan taps and spares for them are available even if they have ceramic cartridges.

if you want to buy taps just as ornaments, ceramics will be fine.

If you can identify the dimensions of your ceramic cartridges, and count the number of splines on the spindles, you can probably find something to fit. Lunns have a good range.

@PigletJohn thank you .

I'm looking at this www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/bristan-club-pillar-bath-shower-mixer-chrome-with-metal-heads-vac-pbsm-c-mt

but can't tell if it has ceramic discs or not . I feel really put off ceramic discs ,taps in basin upstairs been there for years and are fine .Do you think my prejuidice is warranted ?

Features
Product Code: VAC PBSM C MT
Finish: Chrome
Product Type: Contemporary
Construction: Body is of brass construction
Valve/Cartridge Type: ½” Standard valve
Supply: Suitable for all plumbing systems, preferably balanced
Inlet Connections: ¾” BSP
Water Pressure: Min 2.0 bar Max. 0.7 bar
Additional Information
Supplied with metal heads
Supplied with metal backuts
Chrome plated to BS EN 248
Guarantee: 5 years covering manufacturing faults

PS Yes I do want taps that work as taps .

This one is more like my kind of price
www.tapnshower.com/bristan-club-pillar-bath-shower-mixer-chrome-with-metal-heads and same design as existing .

I've seen that easy-clean knob type before, and the tap had washers.

I'd have called it a "bath shower mixer (2-hole)"

have a look on www.bristan.com/products/bathroom-taps

for some reason my PC won't search today

I've found VAC PBSM. Is that similar?
PBSM C MT

www.bristan.com/product-files/541165/spares-drawing.pdf parts diagram

The replacement valve for which is £4.06 which is typical of a valve with washer, and so cheap you could buy a spare pair for the future. Usually the washer will be held on to the bottom with a screw.

if you find the tap, scan right and look for "spares" and there should be a diagram of parts, and probably prices of them

To be absolutely sure, you could mail or phone Bristan

"VAC" appears to be the prefix for the "club" range

"VAB" appears not to exist

I see from one of the diagrams the the tap is also sold with no knob so you can fit one of your own choice. This might be useful if your other taps have a different knob. But you might need Bristan knobs as others may not fit.

Thanks so much PJ ,I think I'm getting to grips with it . They generally say if ceramic and if silent I think might have washers .Some do specify compression valve which I think = washers .

Lot of variation in price for same make and model .