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Hot Water Tap - Bathroom Sink (Mixer Tap)

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PigandPooh2 | 11:45 Fri 15th Jan 2010 | DIY
9 Answers
We had a new bathroom suite fitted about six months ago and ever since then you aren't able to turn the hot water tap very far, and just more than a trickle of water would come out.
Finally having had enough of the situation I was trying to turn the tap more the other day to try and get more water through, but now no water is coming through the hot water tap at all and you can still only turn the tap very slightly. We are now having to bathe from the hot water tap in the bath!!
Was the hot water tap screwed on too tight initially and how can I rectify this problem i.e which tools will I need and how do I take the tap apart??
Thanks
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Surely you should speak to the fitters?
Is it a new type quarter turn or older style multi turn jobbie?
You say you had it fitted rather that fitted it yourself. Sorry if this is a daft question, but could you not get the plumber/builder that did the original job to come back and fix it ?

Not 100% sure about fixing it but it would involved turning off the water, possibly draining the hot water system. Then it's a case of getting spanners/wrenches on the nuts, taking it all apart and seeing if you can spot the problem. If you can't see a nut on the tap, try removing the hot/red cap at the top and see if there is a screw you need to remove.

Alternatively if may be less hassle to get a plumber to fix it for you than to DIY something you are unfamiliar with.
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I just had this problem myself. If it's the same problem, it will be a faulty internal O-ring spindle seal, allowing water to pass into the void above the moving part of the tap which lifts the washer from the seating. Once water is in this space, you can only move the tap a small amount, due to this being uncompressible, as all water is. You can dismantle the tap, but repair will be very fiddly, even if you can find the correct O-ring. Easier to change the whole insert. Take it to your local Plumbers merchant, with the tap top, as spindle arrangements can vary.
If bathroom suite was fitted professionally then get them back to sort out the problem. It should have worked from day one and fitters should have noticed problem (also you should have checked that everything was working ok before paying)

You don't say which hot tap is causing problem, is it bath tap or wash basin tap?

If you want to do job yourself then:-

Get some tap washers and a roll of PTFE tape from hardware store.

Turn hot water off, drain hot water, take tap apart (usually screwdriver and adjustable spanner should suffice). Check for any blockages etc.

Replace washer, put some PTFE around thread of spindle (helps to prevent leaks). Put tap back together. Check to see if tap will open and close better than before. Close tap, turn hot water back on.

At best, problem sorted. At worst, back to square one.
Oops - Just read title. Please ignore 2nd line of my reply.

You say that you you are having to 'bathe' from the hot water tap in the bath, would not think the wash basin (sinks are in kitchens) would be big enough to 'bathe' in.

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Hot Water Tap - Bathroom Sink (Mixer Tap)

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