Looking at these tap kits, which were mentioned in another thread, I see
the only Swirl kits listed are for bathrooms; basins and baths.

We have a knackered kitchen mixer tap, circa 40 years old. Would the
1/2 inch basin taps be likely to fit the kitchen mixer taps? No idea
what the thread in the mixer taps is, but probably standard 1/2 inch? Aesthetics are unimportant. What is important is my limited plumbing
ability. Turn off water. Remove old tap tops. Fit new tap tops. Turn
on water. Job done - or not.

--
Graeme

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On 22/02/2025 10:14, Graeme wrote:

Looking at these tap kits, which were mentioned in another thread, I see
the only Swirl kits listed are for bathrooms; basins and baths.

We have a knackered kitchen mixer tap, circa 40 years old.  Would the
1/2 inch basin taps be likely to fit the kitchen mixer taps?  No idea
what the thread in the mixer taps is, but probably standard 1/2 inch? Aesthetics are unimportant.  What is important is my limited plumbing ability.  Turn off water.  Remove old tap tops.  Fit new tap tops.  Turn on water.  Job done - or not.

Taps typically are designed for ceramic inserts or for conventional
rubber washers. The ceramic insert taps are normally quarter turn
between off and full on, whereas the rubber washer taps normally require
a few turns between off and full on.

If you have rubber washer taps, it may be an idea to also recut the seats.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-tap-reseating-tool/89487

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On 22/02/2025 11:22, Graeme wrote:

Thanks.  Yes, the existing taps are rubber washer, and I have recut the seats, as well as replaced the washers.  The problem is mainly that, whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or two,
but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I had issues with a tap that had a badly cast seat that would rip
washers to shreds. I carried on with the cutter a lot past where it felt smoother

It is possible to replace more than just the washers.
e.g. https://www.toolstation.com/made4trade-threaded-tap-glands/p55418

Depending on how glued together the tap parts are that is often a very inexpensive solution

I'm tempted, for the sake of a tenner, to try the Swirl kit and see if
that helps.

--
In todays liberal progressive conflict-free education system, everyone
gets full Marx.

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In message <vpc8tq$3tb00$1@dont-email.me>, David <david@nospam.com>
writes

On 22/02/2025 10:14, Graeme wrote:

Looking at these tap kits, which were mentioned in another thread, I
see the only Swirl kits listed are for bathrooms; basins and baths.
We have a knackered kitchen mixer tap, circa 40 years old.  Would
the 1/2 inch basin taps be likely to fit the kitchen mixer taps?

Taps typically are designed for ceramic inserts or for conventional
rubber washers. The ceramic insert taps are normally quarter turn
between off and full on, whereas the rubber washer taps normally
require a few turns between off and full on.

If you have rubber washer taps, it may be an idea to also recut the seats.

Thanks. Yes, the existing taps are rubber washer, and I have recut the
seats, as well as replaced the washers. The problem is mainly that,
whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or two,
but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I'm tempted, for the sake of a tenner, to try the Swirl kit and see if
that helps.

--
Graeme

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

In message <vpcci7$3ts6d$3@dont-email.me>, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes

On 22/02/2025 11:22, Graeme wrote:

Thanks.  Yes, the existing taps are rubber washer, and I have recut
the seats, as well as replaced the washers.  The problem is mainly
that, whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week
or two, but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I had issues with a tap that had a badly cast seat that would rip
washers to shreds. I carried on with the cutter a lot past where it
felt smoother

OK, thanks. Worth a try, as I cannot make it worse than it is now :-)
--
Graeme

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On 22/02/2025 11:22, Graeme wrote:

In message <vpc8tq$3tb00$1@dont-email.me>, David <david@nospam.com> writes

On 22/02/2025 10:14, Graeme wrote:

 Looking at these tap kits, which were mentioned in another thread, I
see  the only Swirl kits listed are for bathrooms; basins and baths.
 We have a knackered kitchen mixer tap, circa 40 years old.  Would
the  1/2 inch basin taps be likely to fit the kitchen mixer taps?

Taps typically are designed for ceramic inserts or for conventional
rubber washers. The ceramic insert taps are normally quarter turn
between off and full on, whereas the rubber washer taps normally
require a few turns between off and full on.

If you have rubber washer taps, it may be an idea to also recut the
seats.

Thanks.  Yes, the existing taps are rubber washer, and I have recut the seats, as well as replaced the washers.  The problem is mainly that, whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or two,
but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I have the same problem.

I'm in a hard water area and always assumed that the problem is
limescale build up on the valve stem.

I've noticed that it gets particularly bad if I only partially open the
tap. I've found that fully opening the tap on a regular basis helps.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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In message <vph0g7$u1uu$1@dont-email.me>, David <david@nospam.com>
writes

On 22/02/2025 11:22, Graeme wrote:

whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or
two, but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I have the same problem.

I'm in a hard water area and always assumed that the problem is
limescale build up on the valve stem.

We are in a very soft water area. Never need to descale kettle or iron
etc.

I've noticed that it gets particularly bad if I only partially open the
tap. I've found that fully opening the tap on a regular basis helps.

I'll give that a try, thanks.

--
Graeme

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On 24/02/2025 14:27, Graeme wrote:

In message <vph0g7$u1uu$1@dont-email.me>, David <david@nospam.com> writes

On 22/02/2025 11:22, Graeme wrote:

whenever I dismantle the tap and rebuild, it is fine for a week or
two,  but becomes progressively more difficult to open and close.

I have the same problem.

I'm in a hard water area and always assumed that the problem is
limescale build up on the valve stem.

We are in a very soft water area.  Never need to descale kettle or iron
etc.

I've noticed that it gets particularly bad if I only partially open
the tap. I've found that fully opening the tap on a regular basis helps.

I'll give that a try, thanks.

Years ago, I used a reviver kit on a kitchen tap. I think it was 1/2",
but can't really remember.

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