plumbers help needed !

[leeandjoanne]

my hot tap in the kitchen is wobbly but everytime we normaly tighten it up its fine but now we tighten it and it just loosens itself and whatever we are turning it just goes round and round cant affored a friggin plumber this time of year for summint so silly i could proberly fix any help will be appreciated with diagrams thanks

[buildersmate]

This website is quite good with solution descriptions but lacks diagrams - sorry can't find one with diagrams.
http://www.diynot.com/pages/pl/pl030.php

If the top of the tap is just wobbly on its spindle, then try using Threadlock or similar product from Halfords to 'lock' the little screw that (usually) holds it.

If the tap top plus spindle is too stiff on the upper body of the tap that includes the O-ring which seals the spindle / body, it is presumably turning the upper body in relationship to the lower body? If so, you will have to take the whole upper body off (large spanner required on hex part) and find out why it is so tight. Probably gummed up with calcium. Take it all apart, and reassemble using the link above description about changing the O-ring.

You tap may be a different sort from my assumption - so sorry if this is not the way your tap works (taps with ceramic discs inside are different, for example).

[leeandjoanne]

its just a old council basic tap and the whole thing is wobbly not jst the top or it which you turn to turn it on

[singapore54]

I doubt you have the correct tools you will need a basin wrench. Sounds like the top hat washer has broken. This fits between the holding nut and the sink. If you are very lucky, you may be able to tighten the nut all the way up to the sink. If not you will have to isolate the hot supply remove the feed pipe and refit from scratch, in my experience, and I've done hundreds, my job you see, its best to start from scratch as the putty will be rock hard and you probably won't be able to turn the nut. remember you will be lying on your back in a cupboard under the thing, bad place for a disaster.