It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime. Is
that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Silly question - never tried fixing one before...

Ta

Tim

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On 02/12/2013 20:34, Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

A soak in de-scaler might do the trick. Ceramic cartridges ain't cheap.
£15 to £30 a pair.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

Nope! None whatsoever IME.

The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime. Is
that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Only certain way is to remove one, take it & the handle to proper
plumbing shop & get a match. Not all plumbing shops stock a large range.

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Pretty much, no sealant or grease.

Silly question - never tried fixing one before...

I've done dozens :-)



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Monday 02 December 2013 20:44 The Medway Handyman wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 02/12/2013 20:34, Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a
tablespoon in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

A soak in de-scaler might do the trick. Ceramic cartridges ain't cheap.
£15 to £30 a pair.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

Nope! None whatsoever IME.

Thanks Dave,

I do know who the manufacturer is - or I will when I dig out the box they
came in (I fitted them 4 years ago).

We've had a number of burst pipes in the road over the last few years (main
mains - big pipes) and quite a lot of very brown water afterwards - I wonder
if some grit got through and nicked one... Might have been weeping for a
long time - just really noticed the other day, but there's often been a
buildup of scale under just that tap. That's why I'm not too bothered - but
thought it was time to know how to just in case...


The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime.
Is that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Only certain way is to remove one, take it & the handle to proper
plumbing shop & get a match. Not all plumbing shops stock a large range.

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Pretty much, no sealant or grease.

Ta - not a lot can go wrong I guess then - if I manage to get the wrong part
it won't fit and I put the original back and try again!

Thanks again,

Tim
--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On 02/12/2013 20:59, Tim Watts wrote:
On Monday 02 December 2013 20:44 The Medway Handyman wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On 02/12/2013 20:34, Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a
tablespoon in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

A soak in de-scaler might do the trick. Ceramic cartridges ain't cheap.
£15 to £30 a pair.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

Nope! None whatsoever IME.

Thanks Dave,

I do know who the manufacturer is - or I will when I dig out the box they
came in (I fitted them 4 years ago).

We've had a number of burst pipes in the road over the last few years (main
mains - big pipes) and quite a lot of very brown water afterwards - I wonder
if some grit got through and nicked one... Might have been weeping for a
long time - just really noticed the other day, but there's often been a
buildup of scale under just that tap. That's why I'm not too bothered - but
thought it was time to know how to just in case...


The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime.
Is that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Only certain way is to remove one, take it & the handle to proper
plumbing shop & get a match. Not all plumbing shops stock a large range.

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Pretty much, no sealant or grease.

Ta - not a lot can go wrong I guess then - if I manage to get the wrong part
it won't fit and I put the original back and try again!

Thanks again,

Tim

Try here Tim; http://www.shop.lunns.net/tap-spares-8-c.asp

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Tuesday 03 December 2013 08:12 The Medway Handyman wrote in uk.d-i-y:

Try here Tim; http://www.shop.lunns.net/tap-spares-8-c.asp


Thanks Dave -

I cannot see "Ultra" there - I wonder if they simply buy in another make?
I'll ring Ultra now.

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On Monday 02 December 2013 20:44 The Medway Handyman wrote in uk.d-i-y:


Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Just looked -

"Home of Ultra" SOLO 3" lever range.

CG302 IIRC:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/tap/dp/B002BAURPA

It is of course a discontinued range - I could ring them and find the part -
I guess it might be the same insert they use in their other taps...

Cheers,

Tim
--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On Monday 02 December 2013 21:24 Tim Watts wrote in uk.d-i-y:

On Monday 02 December 2013 20:44 The Medway Handyman wrote in uk.d-i-y:


Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Just looked -

"Home of Ultra" SOLO 3" lever range.

CG302 IIRC:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/tap/dp/B002BAURPA

It is of course a discontinued range -

Actually - this is starting to **** me off.

I recalled that I did not have enough tiles to complete the bath panel (of
the same type as the wall).

So I checked - good job too. Buggers have discontinued those (Johnson
Cotswold 10x10 white gloss) - luckily WallsandFloors.co.uk are offloading
some end of stock onto ebay so I grabbed a pack.

Really - *why* do they keep changing all the time? The design was perfectly
good - cottagy but not particulary distinctive.

Same with taps - There must be a limited number of lever tap styles that are
aesthetically possible (to tell apart) - why keep changing the buggers?



--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On Monday, December 2, 2013 9:49:25 PM UTC, Tim Watts wrote:
Same with taps - There must be a limited number of lever tap styles that are
aesthetically possible (to tell apart) - why keep changing the buggers?

They could at least standardise the cartridges. Like tap washers, door knob spindles, 13 amp plugs, etc.

Owain

On Monday 02 December 2013 23:56 wrote in uk.d-i-
y:

On Monday, December 2, 2013 9:49:25 PM UTC, Tim Watts wrote:
Same with taps - There must be a limited number of lever tap styles that
are aesthetically possible (to tell apart) - why keep changing the
buggers?

They could at least standardise the cartridges. Like tap washers, door
knob spindles, 13 amp plugs, etc.

Owain

That too - when I went hunting, there are bloody millions of the things!

I'll ring the manufacturers and order some spare cartridges.


Fron an engineering POV, the

1) Are one or maybe two best arrangements of splined shaft. Perhaps "normal"
(thick and strong) and "fine" for some delicate handle.

2) 2 sizes of base 1/2" and 3/4"

3) Perhaps 2 lengths - long (hi flow, bigger apertures) and "compact".


So there are 8 possible standard cartridges. Any tap design can be trivially
made to suit those.


--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

In article , The Medway Handyman
writes
On 02/12/2013 20:34, Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

A soak in de-scaler might do the trick. Ceramic cartridges ain't cheap.
£15 to £30 a pair.
Snip
Just bought a pair of 1/2 inch inserts for just over a fiver at Clas
Olsen. I took a chance on the fitting at that price and was in luck; 10
minute job when I got home and the tap no longer drips.
--
Chris Holford

On 02/12/2013 20:34, Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

A soak in de-scaler might do the trick. Ceramic cartridges ain't cheap.
£15 to £30 a pair.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

Nope! None whatsoever IME.

The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime. Is
that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Manufacturer specific - assuming you know who that was.

Only certain way is to remove one, take it & the handle to proper
plumbing shop & get a match. Not all plumbing shops stock a large range.

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Pretty much, no sealant or grease.

Silly question - never tried fixing one before...

I've done dozens :-)



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines sometime. Is
that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Silly question - never tried fixing one before...

Ta

Tim

Gravity or mains pressure water?

I had one that leaked very slightly for several years. I've now gone
over to mains pressure water and it seals perfectly now.

On Monday 02 December 2013 21:03 Bob Minchin wrote in uk.d-i-y:


Gravity or mains pressure water?

I had one that leaked very slightly for several years. I've now gone
over to mains pressure water and it seals perfectly now.

Mains - 5 bar
--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On 02/12/2013 21:03, Bob Minchin wrote:
Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a
tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

Not sure if it'll get worse or not so I feel like being prepared.

Do the valve inserts follow any sort of standard?

The tap is 3/4" fitting and I could count the number of splines
sometime. Is
that all there is to it or are they manufacturer specific too?

Is it just a case of take off lever, unscrew brass bit from the top, and
screw in new one - or is some thread sealant and/or grease needed?

Silly question - never tried fixing one before...

Ta

Tim

Gravity or mains pressure water?

I had one that leaked very slightly for several years. I've now gone
over to mains pressure water and it seals perfectly now.

I have noticed that as well - I fitted a bath mixer to an aunts bath
once and found it let by a little. However I was also fitting a pump for
the shower, and it was easier to arrange it such that it pumped all the
water in the bathroom. The moment there was some additional pressure
there, the taps sealed completely.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 02/12/2013 21:03, Bob Minchin wrote:
Tim Watts wrote:

Gravity or mains pressure water?

I had one that leaked very slightly for several years. I've now gone
over to mains pressure water and it seals perfectly now.

I have noticed that as well - I fitted a bath mixer to an aunts bath
once and found it let by a little. However I was also fitting a pump for
the shower, and it was easier to arrange it such that it pumped all the
water in the bathroom. The moment there was some additional pressure
there, the taps sealed completely.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a tablespoon
in 1-2 hours.

I've had success both:

* For very slow weeps, simply dismantling the things, washing the bits
through and putting it back together

* For properly buggered, I've bought just the ceramic discs (from ebay
IIRC) and rebuilt them. The units I've played with just push together (2
discs and a sealing ring or two.)

I've a feeling the number of sizes of disc is a lot less than the loony
number of cartridges but it's easy enough to pull them apart to check
and put back together (which covers point 1 too :-) )

Also, has anyone else had the experience of taking a cartridge into a
merchant (I've done both PlumbCentre and an independent) and them
staring at it as if you've presented them with a stick of rhubard?

--
Scott

Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?

On Tuesday 03 December 2013 09:06 Scott M wrote in uk.d-i-y:

Tim Watts wrote:
It's not urgent - more of a 'tuit.

Got a bath tap that leaking slightly - very tiny amount, like a
tablespoon in 1-2 hours.

I've had success both:

* For very slow weeps, simply dismantling the things, washing the bits
through and putting it back together

* For properly buggered, I've bought just the ceramic discs (from ebay
IIRC) and rebuilt them. The units I've played with just push together (2
discs and a sealing ring or two.)

That's interesting -

What I think I shall do is buy a pair of cartridges (when I find out what)
and then I can rebuild the dodgey one and keep it as a spare.

I've a feeling the number of sizes of disc is a lot less than the loony
number of cartridges but it's easy enough to pull them apart to check
and put back together (which covers point 1 too :-) )

Also, has anyone else had the experience of taking a cartridge into a
merchant (I've done both PlumbCentre and an independent) and them
staring at it as if you've presented them with a stick of rhubard?

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

On 03/12/2013 09:06, Scott M wrote:

Also, has anyone else had the experience of taking a cartridge into a
merchant (I've done both PlumbCentre and an independent) and them
staring at it as if you've presented them with a stick of rhubard?


Only 1 of the 5 independents in the towns stocks a range of ceramic
cartridges, the others look blank.



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk