Leaking tap advice

[Makingtrax]

Before buying a new kitchen swan neck mixer tap in my 3 year old Knaus. Any advice on what might be happening here.

Each morning I’m finding a small pool of water all around the base of the tap on the work surface, with the pump switched off but with residual pressure. If I clear the pressure by running the tap, there is no water next morning.

The problem I have is I can’t see where the leak is coming from.

1) No water under the work surface anywhere, pipes and under the tap all dry.

2) Wrapped kitchen roll around the control knob and it stays dry.

3) Wrapped kitchen roll around the swan neck swivel point and it stays dry.

4) No water dripping from above.

Any suggestions before forking out for a new tap. Was very careful to drain down the water before winter set in and left the tap open in midway position, so very surprised if it’s frost damage.

 

[tonyidle]

If depressurising it prevents the leak it has to be leaking before the shut-off valve. So if it's not from the control knob it must be coming from the base of the tap next to the work surface. Remove tap and investigate .

 

[Boringfrog]

Don't these have a removable cartridge?

 

[Makingtrax]

If depressurising it prevents the leak it has to be leaking before the shut-off valve. So if it's not from the control knob it must be coming from the base of the tap next to the work surface. Remove tap and investigate .

Thanks Tony. But I was expecting a leak underneath if that was the case.

 

[Makingtrax]

Don't these have a removable cartridge?

Yes, the little plastic cartridge is under the control knob. Was expecting it to leak around the controlknob if the cartridge had gone.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Fletton]

As it’s getting warmer ... is the kitchen roll drying before you have time to check it?.. as it seems odd that there’s no sign when wrapped in either position...

John T

 

[Makingtrax]

As it’s getting warmer ... is the kitchen roll drying before you have time to check it?.. as it seems odd that there’s no sign when wrapped in either position...

John T

Don’t think so, there’s enough water at the bottom to make me think not. A possibility of course. It’s quite cold here in Shropshire though John

 

[Fletton]

Don’t think so, there’s enough water at the bottom to make me think not. A possibility of course. It’s quite cold here in Shropshire though John

Ahh!... so still getting water at base - even when wrapped... I miss understood..

So any seepage must be where tap meets worktop... is that what you’re saying/thinking?..

Insofar as any water is seeping between the decorative sleeve and innards?.. in which case i’d have thought it’d get wet under sink too... sooner or later!. I have the same tap...

 

[Makingtrax]

Ahh!... so still getting water at base - even when wrapped... I miss understood..

So any seepage must be where tap meets worktop... is that what you’re saying/thinking?..

Insofar as any water is seeping between the decorative sleeve and innards?.. in which case i’d have thought it’d get wet under sink too... sooner or later!. I have the same tap...
View attachment 295827

Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. Your pic rings a bell, just seen you’ve got a Knaus Sky . My first thought was the cartridge, but I can’t even get it out there’s two little screws that holds it in place, which I’ve taken out but the cartridge is in fast and I can’t lever it out.
I’ve phoned up Lowdhams parts (where I’ve got the van from) and the parts department said it doesn’t show the cartridge as detachable on the schematics . . which seems crazy.

New tap is £75 + VAT, might just buy and fit a new tap, as it’s starting to annoy me.

 

[Fletton]

Have you removed ( what appears to be a small allen-key screw ) and removed the swivel arm - and had a gander for - lower seal seapage?..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Makingtrax]

Have you removed ( what appears to be a small allen-key screw ) and removed the swivel arm - and had a gander for - lower seal seapage?..

View attachment 295829

Yep, removed that and the upper seal is fine. Wrapped kitchen roll around it and it remains dry.

 

[Fletton]

Yep, removed that and the upper seal is fine. Wrapped kitchen roll around it and it remains dry.

Spooks then!?...

All seems very odd!.. the only other thing that comes to mind... you have seapage via the single mixer seal - that sits behind the micro switch holder assembly..
and it’s seeping down tween deco sleeve at that point....

 

[Makingtrax]

Spooks then!?...

All seems very odd!.. the only other thing that comes to mind... you have seapage via the single mixer seal - that sits behind the micro switch holder assembly..
and it’s seeping down tween deco sleeve at that point....

Yeah, think it’s a new tap John.

 

[Pikeman]

I had that tap on my Knaus. Bad design, in so much as every on/off manoeuvre flexed the wires back and forth until one would break. Very fiddly to fix, by pulling excess wire through to re-connect. In the end I changed the tap to a different design.

 

[Makingtrax]

I had that tap on my Knaus. Bad design, in so much as every on/off manoeuvre flexed the wires back and forth until one would break. Very fiddly to fix, by pulling excess wire through to re-connect. In the end I changed the tap to a different design.

Thanks for that. If I change the tap I won’t get the same again. Been really careful with it, but it’s failed at 30 months.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Makingtrax]

Spooks then!?...

All seems very odd!.. the only other thing that comes to mind... you have seapage via the single mixer seal - that sits behind the micro switch holder assembly..
and it’s seeping down tween deco sleeve at that point....

John, going to try and get this cartridge out first. Either the chrome collar turns and comes off, or the white Teflon ring inside turns and comes off, or it just pulls out. They’re all stuck, so going to have to apply some force. Any idea which?

 

[Makingtrax]

@Fletton
I’ve done it now, the chrome collar pulls forward revealing 3 further screws that need removing with a star shaped socket set. A polythene cover comes away and reveals the cartridge. Here’s a photo of it.

I’ll replace that first and see what happens.

Anyway you know how to change the cartridge now, if you get a leak.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Stealaway]

One of these? ---- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...m4439f1db3e:g:OXAAAOSwqxdb228g&frcectupt=true

 

[Makingtrax]

One of these? ---- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...m4439f1db3e:g:OXAAAOSwqxdb228g&frcectupt=true

Cheers. £18.50 ‘s not too bad compared to a new tap.

 

[Stealaway]

Cheers. £18.50 ‘s not too bad compared to a new tap.

I know

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Fletton]

@Fletton
I’ve done it now, the chrome collar pulls forward revealing 3 further screws that need removing with a star shaped socket set. A polythene cover comes away and reveals the cartridge. Here’s a photo of it.

I’ll replace that first and see what happens.

Anyway you know how to change the cartridge now, if you get a leak.

Cheers

Steve
View attachment 295859

Good info... (banked for future ref;... cheers @Makingtrax aka Steve...

John T

 

[Makingtrax]

Good info... (banked for future ref;... cheers @Makingtrax aka Steve...

John T

Cheers John and many thanks for your help.

 

[Twincam Escort]

Did a new cartridge cure your problem Makingtrax?
I've got a leaking Reich Vector tap in my van that uses the exact same cartridge.
I got a leak seeping out were the base meets the work surface, even when under no pressure.
I have stripped it all down and concluded it must be the main body seal - but now I'm wondering.