How to fix stiff shower tap?

[kingj]

  

Hello everyone. My shower tap needs to be tightened very firmly to stop water from dripping. This makes it hard for my kids to turn it on, so they often leave it open since it's difficult to close fully.

i had initially changed it from lever assembly to turn-taps since we were having issues with mixing of hot and cold water. 
What should I do before I call a plumber  

[tautua]

Tap valve seals.

[Nailbag]

Hi @kingj 

He was referring to domed/tapered tap valves not seals. Though they will give you further reach due to the over grinding of the seats themselves, they would only be a short term fix if at all once they bed in. 

Your best long term solution will be to take the advice of the plumber and remove the two tiles surrounding the taps. Then you could take the opportunity to replace the two taps with a single flick mixer. Then there will never be an issue of dealing with traditional taps and valves again with a much easier regulation of water temp. 

Nailbag. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @tautua,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Allow me to add a link to the 12mm Copper Tap Valves you've mentioned above so @kingj can have a look for themself.

Jacob

[tautua]

Welcome

[kingj]

I was referring to using this Doust Plumbing Tap Total Repair Kit or Hydroseal Tap Seat Replacement Kit  to create a new seat, as shown in the videos below:

• YouTube Video 1
• YouTube Video 2

[EricL]

Hello @kingj 

On the condition that there is still enough material for the new seats to anchor onto then the repair kit should work. But if the seating area has become too thin, the new seats will not anchor properly. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric