Talk me through fixing dripping tap

[Whatdoesitmeann]

The cold water side is dripping. Is this a plumber job or can I do it myself? I can isolate the water no problem but that's as far as I can get. Thanks

@pigletjohn Are you still around?

I think you have ceramic taps where the operating lever has a quarter turn from open to close. These are prone to wear and need new cartridges fitted from time to time.

Provided they are a reputable brand and cartridges to fit are easily available, you can change the cartridges yourself. You will need to turn of the water supply. Put in the plug and lay a large towel in the basin to catch the tools and small parts that you will drop, to avoid them falling in the basin and cracking it or falling down the drain. You will need a set of adjustable spanners and some screwdrivers. You can put elastoplast strapping on the taps to reduce scratching of the chrome with your tools. You will need to take at least one tap apart and remove the cartridge so you can buy two new matching ones. They will be (nominally) half inch basin size. They will have a number of splines that you count after taking off the old ones. You will need some plumbers PTFE tape to put on the screw threads to prevent leaks and future seizing. If you can get some white silicone plumbers grease it will be useful to lubricate moving parts.

There are hundreds of YouTube vids on mending taps. Don't use American ones as they are different. I do not think your taps have rubber washers which are different.

Once you have learned to take a tap apart you can easily put it back together if you need to go and buy parts.

If you know the make of your taps you might be able to order replacement parts from the maker. Bristan for example are very good.

Example.

These cheap ones will do. Expensive ones are easier to tighten precisely. Rubber gloves will help you grip the adjuster.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-adjustable-wrench-set-3-pieces/868xg

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Adjustable-Drop-Forged-Steel-3-Piece-Wrench-Set/p/149054

Some screwdriver sets. You will need Pozidrive and Slotted. Philips are not quite the same and you will occasionally need them, but do not use them on Pozi screws. There is an identifying cross on Pozi. Some Stanley set do not include Pozi, I think they are made for the American Market.

Avoid cheap steel screwdrivers. Only get Chrome Vanadium alloy (this is not chrome plating) or Chrome Molybdenum

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-6-Piece-Screwdriver-Set/p/266047#

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-mixed-stubby-screwdriver-set-6-pieces/1875v

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-mixed-screwdriver-set-6-pieces/6934v#product_additional_details_container

Own brand looks good value. B&Q sometimes have big sets.

Look at the tips, if they are ground to a matt finish that is a good sign as it reduces risk of slipping.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-mixed-screwdriver-set-13-pieces/185ky

This is brilliant thanks for the advice! Will see what I can do!