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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Plumbing Questions >> Tap kind of sticky https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1280671003 Message started by juco on Aug 1^st, 2010, 2:56pm

Title: Tap kind of sticky
Post by juco on Aug 1^st, 2010, 2:56pm

When I turn my sink cold water tap off it has a kind of spongy feel to it so much so that unless turned off very tightly it kind of eases back slightly and drips water.

I did take it off and clean it with a rag, admittedly not very well and it did have a lot of green gunge on it which was sticky. The washer looks ok. It is just a normal type tap not ceramic or mixer or anything fancy.

Anything I can do to make it a more `positive turn off`

thanks

Title: Re: Tap kind of sticky
Post by CWatters on Aug 1^st, 2010, 3:32pm

Change the washer anyway.

Sometimes the seat corrodes and little pits form allowing water through. You can get a "tap re-seating tool" that grinds the seat to make it flat again...

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/tap-reseating-tools-239-0000

Be aware that removing metal from the seat using this tool sometimes exposes tiny bubbles and fissures formed during the casting process which makes the problem worse. So try a new washer first and be prepared to replace the whole tap if grinding the seat fails.

Title: Re: Tap kind of sticky
Post by juco on Aug 1^st, 2010, 5:48pm

OK I will have a look at that tomorrow although I dont think it needs regrinding as it does turn off but then (the tap) slowly creeps back a few degrees of its own accord and starts to drip.

Thanks I will let you know how I get on.