How to disassemble a ceramic tap valve and stop a dripping tap

How to dissemble a ceramic tap valve so you can stop a dripping tap and how to remove the limescale if you live in a hard water area

[@FonzAndTheBoyz]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I was trying to 'repair' the leaking cold water tab using new but ill-fitting washer and O-ring, only for the leak to persist. Then I added teflon tape here and there but by now the small dripping leak had turned into a strong flow. Then I found your youtube. i took all the parts out and put the metal parts in a de-scaler. The rubber and plastic bits were washed with soap. When assembling using the original rubber I did use some generous dab of vaseline here and there, but only thinly on the ceramic slide valve. It all worked a treat and the leak is fully gone. I took the opportunity to take all dimensions of the cassette should I need to order one next time. It doesn't look very standard, dimensions differ by just a few mm from more standard cassettes. Thanks to your tips I fixed this annoying leak. My wife was impressed how well I acquitted myself and her confidence in my DIY abilities has been restored!

[@alanmcdeer539]

Thank you so much Adam, you saved me money and trouble, in fact I would have to change all the tap since the hot water valve spline and a hot water tap lever got stuck together that they seem soldered, and by no means come apart. After watching your video I gently took off the washers and ceramic bits put them in vinegar for about an hour, cleaned well, put them back. I used sunflower oil instead of vaseline which i don't have, reassembled the tap and magic, no dripping anymore. I wasted a day looking for 3/4" valves, no plumbing shop stock them! I wish I found your video earlier! You are a good man Adam, thank you again!!!

[@davidtucknott733]

You sir are a genius! I tried to find new ones and nowhere seemed to stock them and was about to pay £28.00 for one I found on the internet. I stumbled across your video and gave the ceramic a clean and it's fix it! Thank you!

[@migueliglesias4890]

Thanks a lot. It took me a while to find a video that actually focuses on the cause of the leakeage, rather than replacing the whole cartridge. I will go and proceed.

[@natsterjam]

I have just finished servicing the cartridge in my tap as you have shown here. EXCELLENT! it works brilliantly and in my case, it not only stopped the drips but also the squeal of a badly played trombone every time the toilet was flushed. The cartridge was dirty enough to create a squeal even when the tap wasn't operated through pressure in the pipes. Don't ask ,it's a rented property and the plumbing is old and has been bodge repaired many times, loose pipes behind everything! Nice one my friend! thanks to you sharing your knowledge I am sane again without buying a new cartridge.

[@ekdilipkumar]

Firstly I did not believe the video, but just followed it. Amazing, the tap repaired. I used greese instead of Vaseline. Thank you so much for making this rare video.

[@mrmanny]

Wasn't able to find a replacement valve, and my wife was getting tired of the constant drip. NO MORE Drip after a simple cleaning, thanks to your vid. Thank You and Happy Holidays 🙏

[@tedcampbell770]

Excellent video; not only did it give me a good understanding of the cartridge but allowed me the opportunity to repair it, in easy steps, and get the tap working again; thank you very much

[@jmysflix]

Brilliant, I'm not confident with plumbing jobs and had read / been told that the only cure would be buy new cartridges (mixer tap). But this video explains what to do really well. I used white vinegar & soaked the discs for an hour then applied tiny smear of vaseline to the discs. And... it actually worked a treat. Thanks for making this video.

[@rodneykahn6927]

ditto. maybe cleaning with vinegar without disassembly is simply not effective.

[@charlesforeman9438]

Great , i can't thank you enough for the video . We moved into this bungalow a month ago & i have never come across this type of taps before as i have all ways had the washer type one's. Found your video and job do from start to finish in 15 min from cleaning off the limescale to back together . Now no dripping tap at last. Thanks again

[@ChrisBunney]

Thanks for this video - I was just going to go out and buy a new cartridge valve, but after watching this video I disassembled and cleaned it and now it is good as new! Thanks!

[@jaselee2975]

You don't know how much this has saved me. Finding a cartridge valve is so difficult with so many types of measurements. Luckily a dash of vaseline and it solves my problem!

[@ryanorchard]

As a fellow Spyderco user I disapprove of this video. As a leaking tap owner I fully approve of this video. Thanks.

[@mk-ok5ie]

Bravo ! First video with smart guy teaching the real stuff. Very helpful thanks

[@andyholloway2549]

I agree! so many vids just show to remove the Valve chuck it away and put a new one in! W.ell done for actually showing us a "proper repair" !!! this vid just saved me £17 ! Thank you and be safe

[@trentmurray1362]

Thank you so much. After watching your video I fixed the ceramics in my tap. The other night after watching other videos that did not suggest the use of vasoline the leak was not solved. Then today I had another go, watched your video and added vasoline and there you go - sorted. Thank you!

[@WozzRob]

Was going to automatically replace a valve but after going to 4 places who didn't stock it, had to go to the Internet. This video came up in my search. It took me 10 mins to sort and now a really irratating dripping tap is completely fixed. Thanks very much Adam Farmiloe the perfect solution!!

[@marcelschuurmans17]

Thank you for your informative Footage. It was very helpfull! It took me a while to find a video that actually focuses on the cause of the leakeage, rather than replacing the whole cartridge.

[@SureshKumar-ge6wv]

Marce

[@willj7248]

Great tip, I followed this and used some silicone and - tada - no more drips! Saved me a tidy sum. Thank you for sharing

[@romeshjayawardene3551]

Thank you so much for this video. I followed your technique for my dripping tap. Soaked ceramic bits and brass assembly in vinegar and then sprayed silicone spray on the ceramic bits. Just like magic, the dripping stopped!

[@MWlswF4]

Was getting bored trying to find a replacement cartridge, but so far this video has saved me that hassle, only been a few days but so far no leak, thank you!!

[@Jtsh706]

Thank you. Very helpful and helps to save the environment.

[@bobhughes6924]

Your video was the only one I could find that showed me how to pull apart the cartridge to allow me to get at the discs and clean them rather than buying a complete new cartridge, not so easy to get in NZ where so many taps are 'unbranded' Chinese made. Brilliant fixed the drip for nothing, thank you.

[@yekutielbenheshel354]

I have a couple of 'unbranded' Chinese made faucets that are both leaking. I am going to show our handyman this video in the hopes that the will be able to fix the leak the way that you have.

[@jimpatch5970]

There are also O-rings on the shaft that center the shaft and seal water from leaking up through the top side under the handle

[@yekutielbenheshel354]

Interesting. Thanks. Putting marketing and planned obsolescence aside, is there any practical reason for a consumer to prefer these cartridges over something like an old fashioned ball valve.

[@watermelonlalala]

@@yekutielbenheshel354 I saw a plumber in another video say they are supposed to have lifetime warranties, so if you know the manufacturer, you can contact them and they should send you some new cartridges, free. Would be nice if the company name was on the product.

[@ambalee]

Thank you for your video! Fixed my leaking tap through this!

[@ddools]

two hardware store insisted i needed to replace the set. nice, this worked a treat

[@Docv400]

At last, someone that knows what 'Repair' means, not like all the others that just throw the leaky cartridge away and stick a new one in!

[@migueliglesias4890]

Exactly. There's a big difference between repairing and replacing. Some people require a certified mechanic, just to remove an Allen drive headed screw. It is for them that changing a secrew is a major repair. Now I'll go and try to do it myself.

[@andyholloway2549]

I Concur !!!

[@MrSmid888]

In fairness some brass glands suffer corrosion with the movement of the gland over the years, basic tap valves are about £4 so if you’ve gone to the hassle of removing the old you’re better to replace the lot. Or one day you’ll have a new washer and parts but the metal corroded. A great video nonetheless, but some valves are just knackered 😄

[@MartynAskwith]

Thanks mate, you have just saved me 20 quid ! And even more as I will do this when my other taps start to leak

[@Split10uk]

This worked for me. Had a struggle getting the valve out of the tap, and my valve was different from the one you showed. I didn't need to remove the circlip to get the ceramic parts out...They just dropped out. Cleaned, applied petroleum jelly and put it back together.

[@colindglen1234]

Thank you. Not too difficult when somebody shows you! Saved me a few Bob at the plumbers as well. Very satisfied.

[@BoiledOctopus]

Superb. Followed instructions and no more leaky tap. Thank you!!

[@tomellis37]

Brilliant! I have a ceramic valve that is not leaking, but it's squeaking. I couldn't determine if it could be disassembled or not, and didn't want to risk breaking it. Now I see how to do that; thanks! I'll take mine apart and will clean the surfaces and lube, if necessary, with a restaurant-grade silicone lube.

[@solomonpapadopoulos6602]

Hi, thank you for this video! I managed to sort out a dripping tap thanks to you (I used silicone grease).

[@SHANUSHAH]

Well Done, It's nice to see you repairing the valve and not just changing it like most Video on youtube, some even say you can't repair it you JUST HAVE TO CHANGE IT !!!!!!! WHAT

[@cliffcarlo180]

Inside of mine and right at the bottom was a very thin white/clear nylon washer. Easy to miss and easy to lose. Not sure if these will have the same but something to look out for.

[@VFRian]

Thanks Adam - just got the leaking tap - yay! But living in Costa Rica parts and getting things is a nightmare, so out with "you Tube"..... saw your England shirt and thought - must be a good bloke! So now off to repair the cartridge as per your video - cheers

[@rogergelik5078]

Super video! I used Danco Waterproof Grease which says "lubricant on faucets and valve stems including those with ceramic disc cartridges". All the gaskets looked good, so just put on/around the ceramic bits. Seems to be working!!

[@EricDankbaar]

Simple video with great result. Thanks for stopping the dripping valve in my bathroom and sharing this helpful video!

[@gordonsinclair9603]

Thanks Adam your post was great and it worked for me !

[@puzzlering1]

Thank you for a very useful and really informative video. Take care and be safe Sam

[@ThongNguyen-fp1cp]

Thanks for this video ... It's helping me to fix the leaking tap at home.Thanks

[@DavidHobbins]

Great - the only KZbin video I could find on fixing the disc itself (they're available on eBay) I have a peculiar cartridge so this was really helpful.

[@adamfarmiloe]

Glad I could be of help 👍

[@alanwalker1269]

Thanks for this,it worked a treat.No more leaks,i would have just bought a new one if i hadn't seen this..Great stuff...

[@bundybarron]

Great video! Change two valves in about 5 mins after watching this and no drips to report!

[@braver4383]

Thanks Adam, you saved me a couple hundred dollars

[@donainscough6598]

Very helpful thank you, nice and clear.

[@martinwray7001]

Do these things wear much or is it usually just a case of cleaning the scale out to stop a drip? Thanks for the video.

[@robg2198]

Many thanks for posting this video. At last no drips!!! Cheers Rob

[@JanJarvis]

I want to get this message out. I had a dripping tap, hot and cold sides. When off work with man flu, I started to look, turned off the water, then went to bed for two days. In the intervening time my wife and kids tried to turn the water on many times and grumbled. When I turned the water back on both taps had stopped dripping. Worth a try. Not the man flu. Turn the water off and operate several times. They now haven't dripped for four days.

[@stephenbosley1219]

Yes a great simple set of instructions worked perfectly on my Bristan kitchen taps, a big thank you!

[@johnmac4094]

Good upload. My only concern is that I’m not in a hard water area and I can’t find a valve to match anywhere… I really hope this works! Cheers.

[@mohanvvip]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you. Like others have said, no point replacing the entire assembly when you can clean out the cause of the leak. *This is repair*, replacing the entire cartridge is a scam.

[@gjones8025]

...on a 1 month old cartridge that started dripping - took apart as described cleaned, then resealed seat between ceramic faces (with vaseline) - hey presto no drip, and was quicker than a trip to B&Q. Thanks

[@davidthompson3434]

Nice video Adam. Easy to follow!

[@Ironbuket]

I have a drip coming out of the gland rather than the tap. From the area near the circlip. Is this something that can be repaired? I’m looking all over online and can’t find the type of gland we have to buy a replacement

[@torchwood1969cm]

Thanks Adam, Can't get bits for mine any more this saved me replacing the whole lot. Cheers

[@AngelEyes_55]

GREAT video pal, thanks!!

[@MrRoberttheprune]

Just got a pair of replacement ceramic cartridges in Bunnings for under £6. I replaced my old washer type ones on my Ikea kitchen sink mixer now it feels like a new tap!

[@iddqds]

thanks adam. now i realized that the source of my problem and how to save couple of quids. i am going to give it a go with vaseline and vinegar and order the discs if i fail to fix it. brilliant.

[@produkable]

This worked, thanks. Just saved me a trip to screwfix!

[@mrshaneyt43]

Thank you sir, you have saved my sanity 👍🏻

[@TheHbooth]

This is great and just what I needed.

[@yeunget]

Thanks! Easy to follow and some great tips.

[@geubes]

Excellent, saved me £££ and confirmed my suspicion that the plumber was a bit naff when he said he wasn't sure the dripping was fixable without a new shower unit. He won't be getting a call back

[@logitechmk350]

How if that blue rubber ring lost? Is that effected to leaked water? Thanks

[@BoiledOctopus]

you will need to replace the rubber ring.

[@SC-vi4xi]

My one is leaking at the Spline, I replaced the rubber washer, that didn't make any difference, I guess I need to replace the complete valve?

[@Christina-jz9gb]

Hello. My tap has been leaking so i soaked the whole valve in white vinegar and baking soda and then added vaseline onto the ceramic part. The valve doesn't seem to turn off the water at all. I ordered 2 new valves but the fitting is wrong and those 2 doesn't work either. I had been swapping the ceramic parts in between the old and new part. Is it because its too greasy from the vaseline?

[@_H_2023]

Sorry I don't know anything about plumbing I should learn to do this but can you just put the whole cartridge in vinegar up to the top of the discs without taking it apart or will that cause other problems? thanks for the video [like]

[@kesimmonds]

I wouldn't. It would be likely to attack silicon washer, and you want the parts clean and rinsed off before reassembly to get rid of all the gunk that gets taken off.

[@_H_2023]

Thanks for the reply. I ended up just replacing the whole thing,Kept the original part so will experiment with that and see if this works.

[@kesimmonds]

Yes. I'm at the stage of having to do one myself soon, and wondering how long a cleaning type repair would last. Probably go for replacement and then do the same as yourself :)

[@mattwhitfield7840]

The top doesn't necessarily just push right out. Mine had two o-rings around the stem that made it much harder.

[@pd9962]

Very helpful. Great results.

[@CT2507]

Thanks a lot. My cartridge is some cheap shit that is not even hollow but solid in the middle with a couple of o-rings around the solid center piece. I just put a larger o-ring around the center piece and it seemed to do the trick! Cheers. :)

[@TheAdeybob]

you can rejuvenate the silicon components by soaking them for a couple of minutes in some silicon lubricant

[@normangale8825]

Where can you buy the silicone washer from though?

[@peepiepo]

Unfortunately I found in the cartridges for my tap there is a tiny plastic washer that seems to gradually wear down every time the tap is turned. Can't do much about it other than replace the whole thing.

[@mjowsey]

Sorry to be pedantic 'disassemble' is what you did to the tap Looks like you did a good job with fixing the drippy tap.✔

[@mauricebyrne5016]

excellent tip, going to give it a go 😃😃

[@jmacaulay4406]

Excellent vid. Thanks

[@justice4g]

here the replacements are about 50 GBP / pair and mine in particular don't have a circlip so need to work out how to open the thing

[@xXMarkWadeyXx]

From experience, after descaling the ceramic discs, washers etc, and it still drips. Then the problem is the actual thread that the valve stem fitting, screws into wash basin. The thread will need re-seating, you'll need a re-seating tool for this.

[@jageshpopat2884]

That looks so easy to dis-assemble. But when I tried to do it, the internal assembly of spindle and ceramic disc wont come out whatsoever. May be it was frozen with scale or something.

[@Baegitte]

THIS IS GOD'S GIFT TO US DIY NEWBIES!!

[@Jerome-gs1nw]

Thanks very much for the tips

[@hosseinebrahimi3451]

it cost me 1.30 US$ to replace it. I'm from Iran. i disassembled and dipped all the parts in strong nitric acid. rinsed them and applied silicone rubber grease to all moving parts but this time leakage didn't go away but this method had worked before and it endured 2 more years till now. i guess edges of ceramic parts have been damaged after many years of service

[@YourVeganFoodExplorer]

Really helpful thank you 👌

[@markramsay6399]

Very helpful!

[@nista67]

Works fine if the problem is scale build-up. If grit has scratched the surface of the ceramic discs, that's another issue.

[@aravec]

Brilliant! thank you so much for sharing this information. Top man.

[@ccccapone]

great video, these taps have been doing my head in....

[@Dreedree61]

Thank you. This really is helpfull. Now i know who is playing a bad Horn in my bathroom... Thanks again.

[@tony9987]

I've had two 1/4 turn ceramic tap valves in the past year on my kitchen tap and the second one just started leaking again.... it appears that, when I put the valves in what should be the "off" position, there are still gaps between the ceramic plates. Is there any way of repairing this? Why has this happened to two valves in such a short space of time? Thank you

[@jimpatch5970]

There may be a spacer missing, like the thin one (with a slot) on top of the valve inserts (see video at 1:43, he doesn't talk about it) just below the inner metal shaft with the protruding ridge that turns the valve pieces.

[@LaSouthernGemini]

Well done on your video. I will try what I learned on my girlfriends bathroom sink ... if I can't find the complete valve itself to simply plug right back in.

[@tuocd1980]

Thank so much

[@tinakellbersavage5078]

What is the tool to remove the valve? I have a franke tap that has two sides straight and two sides rounded!

[@SuccessforLifester]

Look for a small little hole usually at the other side of the tap. It usually has a small little screw with the hexagonal socket. Use those mini wedges to unscrew that. You probably need to get plumber wedges to remove the round caps.

[@shanndy100]

I had the same problem. For anyone else having a problem removing the valve that isn't a hex nut you might need one of these www.central-servicesuk.co.uk/product.php/3875/436/valve_locking_nut_removal_tool At £2.50 they are a lot cheaper than one's advertised on Amazon

[@Bowwylad]

perfect will give it a go! thanks

[@robertgroves8691]

Don’t use Vaseline. It is petroleum based and within two or three months will have made the rubber seals porous and you’ll be swapping the seals. Use silicon grease or vegetable. Veg oil will have to be redone in a couple of months too as it doesn’t work for as long as grease - I prefer it though as I simply prefer the idea of tiny minute vegetable oil contact with my drinking water over silicon dispute the fact we’re told it’s “food safe”. Horses for courses but definitely avoid Vaseline unless it’s a quick fix until you can get something suitable the next day etc. good video tho

[@PaulyThaDon]

I wonder if using a de scaling liquid for 12 hours would do the same without taking apart, I will try it

[@adamfarmiloe]

Paul B not sure because of the pressure of the water as this is a valve

[@watermelonlalala]

That's what I was searching the comments for, a tip on how to clean it without taking it to bits.

[@PaulyThaDon]

Tried it

[@PaulyThaDon]

Didn't work, got one off ebay for few quid, they aren't great in my opinion as new drip formed a week later, probs the cold tap gone now

[@watermelonlalala]

There's a video where a guy soaks the whole cartridge in a cup of vinegar or similar fluid and then in cup of water. He says this might work to fix a drip for six minutes to six years (temporary fix). He did not demonstrate the fixed part.

[@anthony342]

always turn the rubber blue or red washer the other way around when doing this .. as they can sometimes cause the tap to leak

[@iucledenis]

Sorry mate,if I turn the rubber blue or red the other way around it doesn't have the groove anymore and it doesn't fit in there... I still have a leaking tap after doing the job explained in the video. Any help much appreciated!

[@m.a.9471]

thanks mate. helps me a lot

[@iucledenis]

Hey mate! Thanks a lot for your tutorial! I've seen it after purchasing the new ones. I then tried to do the job you advise on the old ones. Reassembling all back together it actually works,but this time the tap leaks much slower,about 1 drop every 10sec compared to constantly leaking in the first place. Any advice to stop it leaking completely? Thanks!

[@MaruyaSAg]

How come the metal ring/cover at the bottom of your valve came out so easily? Mine is super tight. No amount of pushing on the top spline or pounding the spline will make the bottom metal ring pop out.

[@jimpatch5970]

Did you remove the clip on the valve stem, just above the valve body? The bottom of the valve is a rubber seal. if yours is metal then you may not be a 1/4 turn valve

[@juspickin]

spot on mate drip stopped cheers