Any Plumbers Out There? Bathroom Tap Question

[Orikoru]

We've had a right saga with our bathroom taps. We've got one of those 3-in-1 shower + bathroom tap mixers. Firstly the temperature tap got completely stuck, couldn't turn it. It was still under warranty with B&Q, and we got a replacement - they told us it was the last one they had in stock in the country, so can't really go down that route again.

Rather than replacing the whole unit, we just replaced the faulty tap with the new one. Screwed it in no problem, and it worked - for about a week. Now when we run it won't go anywhere near hot enough. It fluctuates between lukewarm and cold - even turned right up it only reaches 32°c when it should be getting to 40 easily.

Is this something I can fix myself or will I need a plumber to sort this? Or is the unit just cack? Of course we don't want to buy a whole new unit as it will mess up the tiles then. All I know (very very little) is that it's something to do with a 'cartridge' potentially??

 

[GreiginFife]

We've had a right saga with our bathroom taps. We've got one of those 3-in-1 shower + bathroom tap mixers. Firstly the temperature tap got completely stuck, couldn't turn it. It was still under warranty with B&Q, and we got a replacement - they told us it was the last one they had in stock in the country, so can't really go down that route again.

Rather than replacing the whole unit, we just replaced the faulty tap with the new one. Screwed it in no problem, and it worked - for about a week. Now when we run it won't go anywhere near hot enough. It fluctuates between lukewarm and cold - even turned right up it only reaches 32°c when it should be getting to 40 easily.

Is this something I can fix myself or will I need a plumber to sort this? Or is the unit just cack? Of course we don't want to buy a whole new unit as it will mess up the tiles then. All I know (very very little) is that it's something to do with a 'cartridge' potentially??

On some thermostatic taps you can take the knob off the end and turn it further round and put it back on. Basically changes the ‘maximum’ temp. If you move it round clockwise it will increase the max temp, counter clockwise reduce.

 

[Orikoru]

On some thermostatic taps you can take the knob off the end and turn it further round and put it back on. Basically changes the ‘maximum’ temp. If you move it round clockwise it will increase the max temp, counter clockwise reduce.

Yeah.. you can take the metal casing off as we did that while messing about with the old one. Might have a look at that tonight, ta.

 

[Whereditgo]

Worth checking if there are in-built filters as well. It's possible the filter could be partially blocked on the hot water side.

 

[GreiginFife]

Yeah.. you can take the metal casing off as we did that while messing about with the old one. Might have a look at that tonight, ta.

I’m making the assumption that whatever they replaced also replaced the thermostatic cartridge…

 

[RobertIsabella]

Thanks! I’ll try replacing the cartridge and see if it helps!

 

[SteveW86]

Whatever you do, don’t call this guy round.

 

[Orikoru]

Whatever you do, don’t call this guy round.

View attachment 57448

I dunno, he looks pretty handy?

On some thermostatic taps you can take the knob off the end and turn it further round and put it back on. Basically changes the ‘maximum’ temp. If you move it round clockwise it will increase the max temp, counter clockwise reduce.

I did this last night, I thought it had worked to begin with as it started getting warmer, but then it just seemed to return back to 32°. I reckon this warranty replacement unit might just be another knackered one that someone else has previously returned. I'll have to get a plumber round to look at it I guess - at least with two tap units we have two chances of making one work.

 

[GreiginFife]

I dunno, he looks pretty handy?


I did this last night, I thought it had worked to begin with as it started getting warmer, but then it just seemed to return back to 32°. I reckon this warranty replacement unit might just be another knackered one that someone else has previously returned. I'll have to get a plumber round to look at it I guess - at least with two tap units we have two chances of making one work.

Sounds like it's the cartridge that could be an issue and possibly wasn't replaced as part of the new part. Failing to regulate the temp properly is usually the first sign a cartridge is done.

 

[Orikoru]

Sounds like it's the cartridge that could be an issue and possibly wasn't replaced as part of the new part. Failing to regulate the temp properly is usually the first sign a cartridge is done.

Yeah - which makes no sense on a brand new tap. Unless you're saying the cartridge is in the main bit of the unit and not the tap bit that turns - but I didn't think that was the case. I'll speak to my plumber mate and see if he reckons it's worth replacing the whole thing.

 

[GreiginFife]

Yeah - which makes no sense on a brand new tap. Unless you're saying the cartridge is in the main bit of the unit and not the tap bit that turns - but I didn't think that was the case. I'll speak to my plumber mate and see if he reckons it's worth replacing the whole thing.

Cartridge usually sits inside the tap body, part of the turn mechanism. Seen some last years and sone last months.