Told your tap can't be fixed? Think again

Been told your kitchen tap can't be repaired? Can't get the spare parts? Or been advised to throw it away and buy a completely new one?

Hold on! Before you spend money on a new tap, let us help.

You might be surprised to discover that many common kitchen tap problems can be fixed by simply replacing a small part.

And here's the best bit, you don't need to be a professional plumber to do many of these repairs yourself!

At TapSparesUK, we have specialised in kitchen tap spares for over 40 years. We stock replacement valves, cartridges, O-rings, handles, spouts, aerators and much more.

So, before you give up on your tap, have a read. You might find that the fix is easier, cheaper and simpler than you think!

Kitchen Tap parts don't last forever and they are not supposed to!

Think about it. Your kitchen tap is probably one of the most frequently used things in your home. It's turned on and off countless times every single day.

Inside that tap are moving parts, seals and components that naturally wear with use.

Ceramic valves, cartridges, O-rings and seals all have a working life. Over time, they can become worn, damaged or affected by limescale and mineral deposits in the water supply. Water quality, usage and general wear and tear can all make a difference.

That's perfectly normal.

Manufacturers design many of these components to be replaceable. So why replace an entire tap when the problem could be a valve costing a fraction of the price?

What parts can actually be replaced?

You might be surprised at just how many parts of a kitchen tap can be replaced individually.

Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Tap valves and cartridges

Is your tap dripping from the top of the spout? Is the handle becoming stiff or difficult to turn? Does the water continue running when you've turned the tap off?

A worn valve or cartridge could be the issue.

Many dual lever taps have separate hot and cold ceramic valves, while single lever taps generally use one cartridge to control both the temperature and water flow.

Replacing the faulty valve or cartridge can often solve the problem without replacing the entire tap.

Need a hand? Read our guides:

• How to Stop Your Kitchen Tap From Dripping
• How to Tell Which Kitchen Tap Valve Needs Replacing: Hot or Cold?
• How to Change a Cartridge in a Single Lever Kitchen Tap
• 7 Easy Steps to Change Your Valve in a Dual Lever Tap

2. O-rings and seals

Leaking around the base of your kitchen tap spout?

Don't assume the whole tap is faulty. The O-rings that seal the spout against the tap body can become worn, flattened or damaged over time.

Replacing the O-rings is often all that's needed to stop the leak.

Of course, if the spout itself is corroded or damaged, that may need replacing too.

Read our guide: How to Replace an O-Ring Kit on a Kitchen Tap.

3. Tap handles

A loose, cracked, damaged or missing handle doesn't mean your tap needs replacing.

Handles can be purchased separately, allowing you to restore your tap without the expense of buying a complete new one.

Read our guide: How to Replace a Kitchen Tap Handle.

4. Kitchen tap spouts

Is your spout leaking, damaged, corroded or looking a little worse for wear?

On many kitchen taps, the spout can be removed and replaced separately.  

You don't necessarily need to remove the whole tap from your sink. If the correct replacement spout is available, you may be able to restore your tap with a relatively straightforward repair.

Read our guide: How to Remove and Replace a Kitchen Tap Spout.

5. Aerators and other small components

A damaged or blocked aerator can affect the water flow or become worn, damaged or lost over time.  To replace these, they simply screw on clockwise and off anti-clockwise.  

"The parts are no longer available" – are you sure?

This is something we particularly want customers to think about.

Just because a plumber or supplier can't find a replacement part doesn't necessarily mean one doesn't exist.

There are thousands of different kitchen taps on the market, including models that have been discontinued for years. Identifying the correct replacement can take a little more investigation, especially when manufacturers have changed their designs or part numbers.

But don't give up just yet!

We are specialising in kitchen tap spares for over 40 years and have expert knowledge on taps and their parts.  We have a wide range of replacement components for many different makes and models.

Even if your tap is many years old, it's worth checking before deciding that a replacement is your only option.

What if you don't know what tap you have?

Don't worry. You don't need to know the technical name of every component or understand how your tap works.

Start by taking a few clear pictures:

• A picture of the complete tap.
• A close up of the handles.
• A picture of the part that's causing the problem, if you can remove it.
• Any brand names or markings you can find.

If you have already removed the faulty valve, cartridge or other component, pictures and measurements can be particularly helpful when identifying a replacement.

You can also use our Find Your Tap section to help identify your model.

The important thing is to get the correct part. Not all tap valves, cartridges, handles or O-rings are universal, even when they look almost identical.

You Don't Need to Be a Plumber to Fix Your Kitchen Tap!

You'd be surprised how many kitchen tap repairs you can do yourself. Replacing a ceramic valve, changing a cartridge, fitting new O-rings or replacing a handle are all jobs that many homeowners can tackle without calling out a plumber.

You don't need plumbing qualifications, years of experience or a toolbox full of expensive equipment. Usually, all you need is the correct replacement part, a few basic tools and some simple instructions.

That's where our DIY guides come in! We've put together easy to follow, step-by-step instructions to help you identify the problem and fix it yourself.

Of course, always turn off the water supply before starting, take your time and never force a part that seems seized or damaged. If you're unsure, get professional help.

Give it a go! You might surprise yourself at just how easy some of these repairs really are.

Before You Buy a Completely New Kitchen Tap... Repair, Don't Replace!

There's no reason to replace something that is still perfectly usable. If your kitchen tap is in good overall condition, repairing it could be the smarter choice.

Think about it:

• Your pocket: A replacement part will often cost considerably less than buying a completely new tap.
• Your time: No need to shop around for a new tap, remove the old one and arrange a full installation.
• The environment: Less waste and fewer discarded taps.

Of course, there are times when replacing a tap is the sensible option, particularly if the body is cracked, badly corroded or the necessary parts genuinely cannot be sourced.

But don't make that decision without checking your options first.

A little repair could save you a lot of money and give your kitchen tap a few more years of life!

We are here to help!

At TapSparesUK, we stock a wide range of replacement kitchen tap components, including:

• Ceramic tap valves and cartridges
• O-rings and seal kits
• Replacement handles
• Kitchen tap spouts
• Aerators
• Other replacement tap components.

We even stock tools to help with your repair - silicone grease, spanner, valve removal tool.

We want to help you keep your existing tap working for as long as possible.

So, the next time someone tells you your tap can't be fixed, don't rush out and buy a new one.

Check with us first. You might be surprised at what we can find!