Plumbing

[waylen]

Wehave a leaking washer on our bath tap. It`s impossible to buy a new one so have to replace the tap. Does anyone know the approximate price a plummer would charge? We are both 81 and wary about being cheated.

[TWR]

Waylen, these taps are a pain, once of a day you could replace the Washer, I have a coupe that have Oxidised & running very slow, I'm sure if you drill out the Top of the Tap you will find a screw that can be removed, that way you can replace the Washer, It's another UK Rip off.

[TWR]

Sorry, price wise, that is if they can get the same taps, £150 that's in my view.

[alavahalf]

You haven't described the tap whatsoever ... so it would be impossible to give any advice.
The only type of tap I have ever found where the washer can't be replaced, is a quarter turn tap with a ceramic cartridge ( this type of tap has no washer).
If the tap is of this type and made by an unknown manufacturer, it may well be impossible to identify the ceramic cartridge. The wise choice is to replace the tap as this will be the cheapest option.
I'm afraid plumbers dont stock ceramic cartridges as there are far too many variations.
As for the cost of fitting the new 'taps' .. that will vary dramaticaly depending on callout fees, ease of access, the quality of the replacements and your geographical location in the UK.
If I were you I would contact your local trading standards and ask them for a list of local approved repairers who are willing to do smaller works.
Good luck.

[overthetop]

You are right to be wary. In view of your age, ring your Local Council or Age UK. They will help guide you. Good luck.

[waylen]

Thank you so much alavahalf, your answer was so helpful. Yes, it is a ceramic type and impossible to replace. I will contact the relative people you reccomended. My husband is partially sighted and cannot do these jobs round the house. x

[murraymints]

if you contact your local age concern office they sometimes also have volunteers that will do odd jobs free if you have the parts..

[ummmm]

Not all plumbers try and rip you off. I used to work for one so done all the invoicing. He rarely charged a call out fee. This is a job for one of the apprentices.