Sticking mixer tap

Osem · 06-01-2015, 09:29

Our kitchen sink is equipped with one of those ceramic disc mixer taps with a single lever which moves left/right to select hot/cold and up/down to alter flow rate. Over the last day or two, the up/down movement has become quite stiff and jerky and I'm wondering if this is fixable. I've taken apart and cleaned a few normal (rotating) ceramic cartridges to cure drips but have no idea whether stripping it down would be possible in this case. I also struggling to visualise how the up/down on/off mechanism works and what might be the cause of the stiffness. Anyone got any ideas/suggestions?

TIA as always.

Taf · 06-01-2015, 10:07

Any sign of lube inside?

Osem · 06-01-2015, 10:58

HI Taff. Not opened it up yet, still finding out how best to do that. I'll have to turn the household water off (seized isolating valve) to do anything much so want to find out as much as I can before I start. I'm intrigued about how the up/down on/off action works - is that going to be ceramic or something more traditional?

swoop101 · 06-01-2015, 11:11

check youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_4GooCbjy0
and similar can help a lot

Taf · 06-01-2015, 11:39

If it's a throaway module like that I am impressed with the new technology!

Osem · 06-01-2015, 12:16

Yeah I have already looked at quite a few but not seen one immediately identifiable as having the left/right and up/down motion and it's that latter aspect that I'm concerned with as the tap otherwise works perfectly. I know how to open it up now but as I said I'll have to turn the house water off so want to find out as much as possible first. If the cartridge itself can be easily disassembled I'd like to give that a try just in case it's a simple fix.

I'm wondering if this is what I have as opposed to the type shown in your YouTube link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubFDYMMCszY

Quote:

Originally Posted by swoop101

check youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_4GooCbjy0
and similar can help a lot