Stiff kitchen tap

[Jinglepot]

I have a monoblock mixer tap in the kitchen.Overnight it has got really stiff and hard to turn the quarter turn from hot to cold. I don't know how to open it up to look inside, as there doesn't appear to be any way it. Can anyone help me please?
Thanks, in hopeful anticipation!

[Jinglepot]

Sorry, any way in!

[CSG2306]

Hi Jingle***,

Have a look and see if there is an insert with red and blue markings on it. It is usually under the handle. If so prise this off and you will find an Allen Screw under this. If you loosen the Allen Screw, the top will come off.

Regards

[Jinglepot]

Thanks CSG2306, I managed to get the top off, but thought the problem of the stiffness would be really obvious -- it's not! Would you have any suggestions as to what might be causing it,and/or my next step please. Thanks.

[CSG2306]

Hi once again,

Do you live in a Hard Water area? if so limescale could be the problem.

Monoblock taps usually have a ceramic disk instead of a normal washer. This could be covered in scale, if this is so, remove the disk, just cover it with hot water in a small bowl and add a teaspoon of Citric Acid. (You can purchase this from a chemist, it is harmful.) When the effervescent stops, repeat the process until the disk is clean.

You must insure that the other parts of the tap are free from scale, they can be cleaned in the same way. The inner parts of the tap can then be smeared with a silicone grease, available from a plumbers merchant or good ironmongers, don't be tempted to use ordinary grease.

I am experiencing the same problem with our year old Franke tap, I am just about to start cleaning it.

Please keep us informed.

Regards

[Jinglepot]

Hi again CSG, I did notice limescale in the inside of the tap. There also seems to be some inside the top. Tomorrow I'll go to the chemist for the citric acid and to the hardware shop for the silicon grease. Fingers crossed this will work.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again for your help.

Cheers