Please please help with this plumbing query.

[maxiewaxie]

I am now on my 4th kitchen tap fitted by the fourth plumber and after a mere 2 days this one is dripping. Everyone who looks at it says I have been unlucky and bought dud taps. I can't believe this is the case, this is over a period of about 1 year. They all work well for up to 2 weeks and then it's as if something goes wrong with the insides of the tap, I think this must be to do with water pressure but I'm no plumber unfortunately. As a last resort I bought a mixer tap of the old type ( need more than a quarter turn -without a ceramic disc) as the plumbers merchants said that would be ok for high /low pressure and much less to go wrong. I have a combi boiler, every other tap in the house works fine. The other taps faults have included - not being able to turn them off, not able to get any hot water etc. I live in Brighton, if anyone can help me I'd be very grateful, I have spent enough now to buy a new kitchen. I do have an American style fridge that takes water fro the ice etc and a slimline dishwasher but other thanthat it's just a regular sink.
How do I know if I have high/low water pressure, could this be the problem?
Thank you so much anyone who offers any explanation.

[Trixie2]

Had a similar problem a while ago. It happened after a meter had been installed by the local authority. The problem was grit had been allowed to contaminate the system by the "not too carefull" workmen. Fortunately I only replaced the washer a couple of times so the cost was minimal. Had to let the water run for a while to flush the system before fitting the final new washer. Have you had any similar work done? Hope this is of use.

[catmando]

Sounds odd. I'm no expert but, assuming you are referring to a mains water tap, perhaps there is muck in the pipe from outside which will find its way into the body of the tap and then easily form an obstruction when the tap is closed down on the washer, thereby causing the drip.

This won't account for the earlier hot water problem though.

Examine the inside of the tap for grit especially round the washer and, if necessary, clean it and give the system a good flush out - ie let the water run through for a while.

To check the pressure you can get/borrow a meter to screw onto an outside tap if you have one. The water authority should also be able to tell you about the pressure and will also advise if it is muck in the pipes.

Good luck

[maxiewaxie]

Thank you, I'll give it a try.