Help identify a tap cartridge
- Thread starter pangolin
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Best go to a plumbers merchant as there are loads with subtle differences like the splines and the shaft length. I've usually ended up butchering the new one for the ceramic discs.
classic33
Leg End Member
There's these, using the BS5412 on the one taken out.
https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/bristan-...ded-collar~p121247411/?exta=gshp&extac=gshpfa
But there's something else, which can't be made out, stamped after that. I'm with fossyant, take one to a plumbers merchants.
https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/bristan-...ded-collar~p121247411/?exta=gshp&extac=gshpfa
But there's something else, which can't be made out, stamped after that. I'm with fossyant, take one to a plumbers merchants.
newts
Veteran
- Location
- Isca Dumnoniorum
It's very difficult to match up tap valves. The length from o ring down to the disc sealing washer varies between manufacturers, often small increments. Throw in minor differences in spline teeth numbers, diameter & length finding compatible spares is very difficult unless you know the make & model of the tap. You could try carefully prising out the blue silicone washer at the bottom & finding a match (that's the bit that causes the leak).
Tap magician is very good for spares & have a good selector tool.
https://www.tapmagician.co.uk/WebPages/Range010.html??64367
Tap magician is very good for spares & have a good selector tool.
https://www.tapmagician.co.uk/WebPages/Range010.html??64367
Bring the mixer tap with you to the plumbers merchant. They can then test fit the cartridge for you. Number of and pitch of splines is a nightmare. I bought a Universal 1/2" Replacement Tap Valves Brass Ceramic Disc Cartridges Insert Set for Kitchen Bathroom Faucet Bid Tap after trying three large plumber merchants last Saturday!
Example of universal replacement.
Example of universal replacement.
sevenfourate
Devotee of OCD
- Location
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
I had a ‘nightmare’ simply 🙄 replacing these too recently. Small differences meant anything but exactly the same wouldn’t work. In the end I had / chose to modify the tap handle to suit the last cartridges I bought……😳
So absolutely agree with taking your old ones into a Plumbers merchant for them to match up. You can soon waste time, effort and money trying yourself if you’re not careful……
So absolutely agree with taking your old ones into a Plumbers merchant for them to match up. You can soon waste time, effort and money trying yourself if you’re not careful……
Fastpedaller
Über Member
Plumber here........ They can be difficult to identify. Most builders merchants don't stock them. Our local one had a pair on the counter when I entered a few years ago, and I commented it's good they are stocking them. Their reply was "we've decided there's so many we won't bother stocking them". If you know the make/model of tap it's a good start. As said above "tap magician" are good and very quick service as well. Bristan taps have a date stamp on the side nearest the wall etched into the chrome, which may confirm they are Bristan, but doesn't overly help. Screwfix and Toolstation each stock a few, and I've found them (after Tap Magician) to be the most useful - take one of the tap handles to test the fit, and also turn it to test (some will fit on but slip under torque when fully open or closed). Some have a spline which is too long compared to the original, but can be filed so the handle goes on to the correct place if all other dimensions are the same, similarly if the spline is too short a small washer may space the handle to the correct place. If you are handy with a vernier calliper then tap Magician is probably the place to go, making sure the spline count is the same etc.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Plumbers & builders merchants were a complete waste of time for us. One even suggested it was easier to just buy a new tap altogether (fancy mixer tap, not cheap).
Online specialists are better but...
... these things are easily dismantled and can be cleaned up in very little time for 0p.
We have done ours twice in 14 years when they started dripping and they are still spot-on.
Just Google eg "servicing ceramic tap cartridge" or similar.
Online specialists are better but...
... these things are easily dismantled and can be cleaned up in very little time for 0p.
We have done ours twice in 14 years when they started dripping and they are still spot-on.
Just Google eg "servicing ceramic tap cartridge" or similar.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
To be fair to the merchants unless it's a recognise brand of tap they actually stock it is close to impossible to identify the unit required. My mixer shower thermostat failed and the genuinely very good and well respected local merchant said they'd have a go if I brought the thermostat part it, but no promises, but the practicalities if this meant I bought a complete new shower unit. You'd naturally think there'd be no more than half a dozen valves and all the makers would fit whichever was most suitable, but stupidly there are hundreds
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
You'll need to measure a lot of different points and count the splines. Then compare to online drawings . Done mine successfully a couple times, it's just accurately doing the homework...but there are lots and lots of variants out there.
Do a Google image search.
I did it for a cartridge and it instantly identified it as a Franke brand
Profpointy
Legendary Member
I expect you have a much better shot at it with a proper brand like Franke, rather than a no-name or designer-sounding name which you've never heard of
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
I’ve been through this hell without luck. My local plumbing merchant has now closed.
It really is something that government could do to standardise these, if the industry won’t.
Battery sizes don’t see to be a problem, so why not plumbing parts?
It really is something that government could do to standardise these, if the industry won’t.
Battery sizes don’t see to be a problem, so why not plumbing parts?
