If you are following these steps, ensure you familiarise yourself with shutting off the water supply before you get started, prepare for leaks and ensure that everyone in the household is aware that the water supply is going to unavailable for the duration of the repair.
1. Turn off the water supply to the tap
CAUTION: Do not proceed with these steps until you are confident the flow of water from the open tap has ceased!
2. Most modern tap installations have an isolation valve on the water pipe feeding the tap. This should be found on the pipe to the the tap in question somewhere between the wall and underneath of the sink. Using a flat headed screwdriver, turn the screw 90°clockwise so the screw position is angled across the pipe instead of going with the direction of the pipe.
3. If there is no isolation valve on the pipe leading to the tap and you are dealing with the cold water tap, then you will need to locate the stopcock, this is generally under the kitchen sink. Turn on the kitchen sink cold water tap so there is water coming through. Then turn the stopcock clockwise until it stops turning, the flow of water from the kitchen sink tap should stop. Turn off the kitchen tap.
Turn on the bathroom tap until the water stops flowing. It is now safe to disassemble the tap.
NEVER force the stopcock, if it is stuck contact a plumber to address the situation.
4. If you are working on the hot water tap and there is no isolation valve on the hot water pipe under the sink, and you have a cold water storage tank in the roof, then you need to locate the shut off valve between the hot water tank and the tap.
5. If you can't find any other way to shut off the hot water, locate the stopcock (usually under the sink in the kitchen) and turn it clockwise until it won't rotate any more. Turn on the cold water tap in the kitchen, once the cold water has ceased to flow turn the cold water tap off again. Now turn on the hot water taps and drain the system of the hot water. Once the hot water has stopped flowing you can start to work on the tap.
6. Open tap to ensure water flow has ceased.
7. To prevent losing any items down the drain during the maintenance process, put the plug in the drain hole.
8. Remove the handle.
9. Remove the tap collar.
10. Using a spanner, hold the tap in position, unscrew and remove the ceramic cartridge.
Holding the tap in position prevents the tap twisting on the water pipe below which could damage the connection and cause an expensive leak.
11. Create a solution of warm water and vinegar in a container big enough to fit the ceramic cartridge in. Soak the cartridge in the solution for about 15 minutes. This should dissolve any limescale build up. You may need to increase the amount the of vinegar and leave it soaking longer.
12. Remove the spring clip from the shaft.
13. Remove the o-ring from the bottom of the cartridge.
14. Push the shaft down until the two ceramic discs and secondary o-ring pop free.
Take note of the components orientation and order in which they fit in the cartridge.
15. Inspect the cartridge to ensure all limescale has been dissolved, if not, using your water / vinegar solution, remove all visible limescale traces. Increase the amount of vinegar if necessary.
Examine the condition of the ceramic discs. If the surfaces are rough and/or pitted then the cartridge will need to be replaced, if they are clean they can be replaced
Be careful with your eyes when using the vinegar solution and the toothbrush, eye protection should be worn.
16. Clean the o-rings with warm soapy water.
17. Replace the first ceramic disc on the end of the cartridge shaft.
18. Place the second ceramic disc against the first, taking care to get the orientation the same as when they were removed.
19. Add the o-ring.
20. Push the inner core back into it's original position.
21. Add the second o-ring.
22. Replace the circlip.
23. Screw the new ceramic cartridge into place, holding the tap firmly all the while preventing it from twisting the pipework below.
24. Replace the tap collar.
25. Replace the tap handle.
26. Ensure the tap is in the off position.
27. Turn the water supply back on.
Have someone with the tap who can alert you if there are any issues with leaks, so you can shut the water off again immediately.
We update the maintenance tips and troubleshooting guidance from time to time and aim to make it as helpful as possible. The purpose of the maintenance and troubleshooting section of this website is to provide you with general guidance. Please ensure you read and follow our instructions carefully and do not undertake the maintenance or troubleshooting unless you are aged 18 or over, are competent to do so and are confident that you can complete the maintenance. If in doubt do not attempt any actions and where an appliance is gas fuelled refer to a Gas Safe engineer for assistance.
This website is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and does not:
- cover every reason that your product could fail;
- cover all of the maintenance that can be undertaken for your product;
- supersede any advice in your instruction manual or from your product manufacturer.
Do not carry out any maintenance or use the troubleshooting guide if it puts you or anyone else in danger or if you believe it may cause damage to your, or another person’s property.