water tap

[shanks]

has anyone any idea how to fix my tap,the problem is it only turns on a little the water then only comes out as a trickle,can it be repaired or will l need a new tap?thanks for any help

[wildwood]

Assuming this is an ordinary tap. First turn the main water supply to the house off. Then open some of the other taps to relieve the pressure within the pipes. Just under the piece you turn the tap on/off with is a cover that should turn anticlockwise. When off and lift you should see a nut shape thingy that you need to remove. This will require a spanner of suitable size. Turn the 'nut' anticlockwise until the whole kaboodle comes out. You can now determine why the water doesn't flow. It is probably a washer that has come loose. A lot of those washers that look like a half rubber ball need to be turn onto the thread that holds the washer, not pushed. You will have to determine what is wrong and if it is the washer take note of the type and put in a new one. After everything is replaced and the water turned back on, turn one of the taps on carefully, there may be a bit of splurting until the air is out of the pipes. You may just have saved yourself enough moolah to buy me a nice Xmas prezzie :-)

to be continued....

[wildwood]

Just to spoil your day, there could be a gauze pipe filter within the waterflow somewhere before the actual tap, especially if the tap is a ceramic washer or flip-up type. In that case you need to determine where the filters are and this is probably a job for a real plumber.
Then again..... to brighten your day, if the tap is one of those with a swivel neck like that is usually on the kitchen sink, there is a little screwable cap at the end with some gauzing that collects debris from within the pipes over time. Unscrew/clean/replace. This is not a true filter but makes the water come out of the tap nice and even instead of splurting and splashing all over you.

If it is the tap through wear, the spindle assembly can usually be replaced without replacing the actual tap housing. A lot cheaper and you can do it yourself. Take the worn 'guts' of the tap to the hardware store and try to find someone who actually KNOWS a bit about plumbing.
I don't, so if this is not helpful just ignore it.

Merry Xmas anyway.

btw this is the first time ever I've given an answer that require two posts so feel privileged by all means.

[shanks]

wildwood am humbled by your knowledge,even thou l have not attempted to fix problem yet,will do tomorrow morning and will let you know the outcome