Kitchen Tap Too Tight

[Student89]

Anyone know how to fix a kitchen tap that is too tight?

It is one of those mixer taps - with a 'dial' for hot on one side and a dial for cold on the other..

Dial is the wrong word - but its what you twist to turn the tap on or off.

The cold dial is far too tight.

It's easy to twist on. But very difficult to twist to turn off.

The thing is, it's a relatively new tap unit. We got it fitted just a few weeks ago.

 

[piglet11]

A photo would help.

If it's two separate taps and not a combined mixer, it should be easy to fix.

If it takes more than one turn to close off, it will have a washer and a gland. The gland nut is the top of the Chrismas tree. If the gland is too tight it can be difficult to turn. It might have an 'O' ring that needs a small amount of silicone grease.

If it closes on a quarter turn, it will have a cartridge in it which is more difficult to get at. Same principal, 'O' rings.

A replacement cartridge is quite cheap.

If you had it fitted, get the fitter back and let them fix it and ask them if they tested it when they finished. Honestly, you shouldn't need repairs quite so soon, but there are a lot of cheapo unbranded taps on the market.

 

[Student89]

Thanks piglet. Appreciated.

Yeah, it shuldnt have gone so soon.

It's a mixer tap. One faucet with a warm/cold tap on either side.
I'll get a photo when I get home tonight.

I guess the best call of action is to get the plumber back in.