Changing Tap Washers

[needawin]

Two taps with washers gone. No water. Both different types. Don't know how to get the tops and covers off either.
One tap old type with cross bar top. No visible signs of screws etc to take top off.
Other more modern with knob type top. Again no visible means of removing top.
Thankfully both have the in line on/off valve so no problems there.
Any advice please?

[paul1763]

with what you describe as knob type, you prize off the'H' or 'C' logo with a small screwdriver allowing access to the nut enabling you to remove the knob and dissmantle the tap, is the cross bar a 'T' or 'X'? there should be very small screw on the side of the 'X' which holds the x onto the shaft, the 'T' type usally have a screw in the top that's the only type i've come across maybe you could try youtube good luck

[alavahalf]

The one with the cross top should have a small screw in the side as Paul said.
It is usually made of brass, so dont shear it of. You have got to be quite firm when removing this small screw. Let's hope you get it out.
Once out you will find that the head of the tap is usually seized on, as a second line of defence. What you do is unwind the tap to the fully 'on' position
Get an adjustable spanner and rest it on the shroud/cover of the tap. Then turn the tap wheel as though you are trying to turn it off and at the same time.. lever up with the spanner an prise the wheel/head off.
Have done 100's and it never fails..... not unless you shear the screw off.
When re-assembling, just wipe a smear of vaseline on every contacting surface and all threads, and wipe the excess off again. If you ever do another repair you will find this makes it a lot easier to strip down.

[TWR]

Need, I seems the tap top on yours are the same as mine, ceramic?? ours became oxidized & the top was glued in place, as a norm the tops as said are easy to take off but not these, which ever way you choose to go, turn off the cold at the main, & also your hot until no water flow.

[alavahalf]

TWR has got a point ...... if the taps only rotate a 1/4 of a turn
(from fully off to fully on) then you more than likely have ceramic cartridges fitted (no washers).
All the good plumbers I know will tell you the same thing... ..." Unless you can identify the manufacturer and model number of the taps, just replace the taps". You may be going on a wild goose chase if you are hoping to buy identical replacement cartridges. The cartridges vary in length for a start. The head diameter often vary by a couple of mm's. Not to mention the number of splines (the new valve will not fit the original head).
Plus you can't return it after you have tried to force it all together.

I have got British Pegler 1/4 turn taps myself .. the taps were £120 pair .. believe it or not the replacement cartridges are £50 each.

Hence .. The long and short of it is .. if they are ceramics, to save time and money buy new taps.

[needawin]

Mission accomplished. Thankfully they were the washer types and not the cartridge. Another bit of "know how" for the old brain.
Many thanks to you all who replied for your help.
AB is really tops!