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How to fix tap with worn shower seat?

I am having problems with a tap in the shower. The flow on the shower itself is fine - the leak comes out of the tap itself which I'm guessing is because the tap has to be spun around so many times that its essentially falling through the back of itself.

The seat has been re-done many times to the point where its beyond the reach of the tap.

Do I have any good options? Would a ceramic spindle be able to go deeper than the washer spindle? Are different brands of the old washer spindles more likely to be able to do the same?

Would some kind of spindle extender be of use? Obviously i don't need much extension - perhaps a couple of mm? Apparently the copper extenders can be trimmed - is that right? Is it true that ceramic spindles can be adjusted to reach the seat? (struggled to very this on-line)

Thanks in advance

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Matty1

I know of you are talking about.

Basically there is a O ring around the shaft of the tap spindle thats worn and can be replaced with a FIX a TAP kit in plumbing section re the original leak. Reseating should be rarely done if at all only if the base is scratched up corroded a bit.

But the re seating issue is another matter a replacement longer spindle maybe be to long.

So I recommend switching to Ceramic 1/4 turn spindles this normally 95% of the time will simply screw into the old shower tap hole and seal against the seat.

There is a great range of ceramic taps fixes I highly recommend them over the old tap washer system.

Take your old spindle into bunnings and get the plumbing section to best match your spindle depth and tap handle length is another variable. Take your tape handle to as it needs to fit on the new ceramic handle some are universal with a threaded end and or will match a square holed tap.

While your at it replace both taps. On that note as they are only 1/2 or 1/4 turn there are left and right turning ceramic spindles

EG looking at your new shower one tap handle points left one points right and both are horiziontal when the taps are off. So to turn on either tap they will rotate down 1/2 turn etc one will go clockwise one anti clockwise so you will need one of each direction.

Hope this helps.

JacobZ

Hi @Matty1,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

@Jewelleryrescue has already provided some fantastic general advice that should help solve your issue.

If you upload an image of your current spindle, we can try to offer some more specific advice.

Let me know if you need a hand uploading images.

Jacob

Matty1

Hi JR

I can't thank you profusely enough - this situation really had me in the dumps and your thoughtful thorough response really dragged me right out of them.

Is switching over to ceramic spindles something I can do myself? What else needs to be done to get them ready? And they are adjustable are they? I couldn't work that out on-line. Thank you again for making the time and effort to make that post - its genuinely appreciated.

Hi Jacob

I could upload an image if you like but its just the spindle that came with the estilo wall assembly I bought from you kind folk about a month ago.

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Matty1

Yes @Matty1 they are terrible at showing how the new ceramic filter will replace the old almost no info. I also was struggling to fathom that dilemma out but simple once done.

Once you have being to bunnings and had assistance with matching your existing spindle to closely match a replacement ceramic shaft (also with your tap handle it needs to be matched so you don't need to replace with new handles unless you want.)

The old spindle you take in make sure it is in the closed (water off) position ie the spindle is extended outwards and put the tap washer in it as a guide so the new ceramic filter length can be chosen for best fit. Basically the ceramics shaft needs to be as long as the old spindle and tap washer together, To reach the bottom and seal.

The ceramic filter will easily adjust to the deeper seat of your old tap in theory. 🙂

It is a simple matter to screw the inner ceramic filter into the tap wall outlet, so the inner spindle winds down snug sealing over the seat (instead of a tap washer)

Next the body of the new ceramic filter will wind down over the inner spindle and seal against the outer tap body seal. Job done add the tap handle. 🙂

It may be useful to loosely fit the tap handle during installation so you can position the ceramic disk and shaft so the tap handles are in the off position and sitting horizontal for good looks,

Hope this helps not confuses

Matty1

Hi JR

Oh it helps more than it confuses I can assure you - all explained clearly and comprehensively.

Actually so much so that I might just show it to the store assistant at bunnings rather than try to explain it all myself 🙂 Just one question - you seem to have covered it all beautifully. You speak of matching the current spindle to a ceramic - does this mean that the ceramics come in different sizes?

Much gratitude again- I was quite convinced I was going to have to replace the whole seat which was really not an enticing prospect at all.

JacobZ

Hi @Matty1,

Ceramic spindles come in slightly different shapes, but the thread size is usually 1/2 inch BSP.

The easiest thing to do is bring the old spindles in-store with you so you can match them up.

I'm sure the team at your local store will be happy to read the advice here and help you with a replacement.

If you have any further questions along the way, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Jacob

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Matty1 and @JacobZ

@JacobZ is right there is a bunch of different Ceramic tap spindles all are designed with 1/2 BSP as mentioned so in short, they are designed to incorporate into existing wall plumbing with the older style tap washers. Plug and play.

We strongly suggest you take your old tape handle and locking nut if applicable and old spindle with old washer so bunnings staff can assist you with the replacement selection.

See for your self. On Bunnings web site type in search for 'ceramic tap spindle' you will soon see there is bunch of them that can become extra confusing.

These are the variables you will need to match and or select

1 Clockwise or Anti clockwise turn on. This is for your right- and left-hand taps. You could have both handles turn clockwise or anti clockwise, but it depends on the way you want them to operate. Most tap handles sit horizontal in the off position and (with lever style handles will point outwards left and right and then turn downwards to turn on. This uses a clockwise and anticlockwise tap) If your flip sides of clockwise etc the taps will now turn on if you lift them up. Oh by the way ceramic taps are interchangeable for the hot or cold water

2 1/4 turn or 1/2 turn. This is how far the tap moves for full water pressure. I might also add here ceramic taps adds a hi level of water control regardless of water temperature so set the water temp and during the shower the water temp stays the same re the valves don't expand or contract like rubber washers. I used to be adjusting shower tapes every 30 seconds with my old-style washer spindles.

3 Wall or basin spindles Longer or shorter thread bodies. Typically, this means the shower spindle is a longer threaded section to screw down into the deeper shower seats to seal at the bottom where the old washer used to be. These will also fit basin tap fittings, but the longer thread section will have the tap handles sitting up higher in a less natural position, so they make shorter spindles to lower the tap handle height. The short threads will not reach/seal the deeper wall shower seats. The ceramic fittings are highly versatile and will allow themselves to fit almost every standard fitting.

4 Tap handle Attachment Does your tap have a square tap hole that just push on or do they need a threaded cap to lock them onto the handle or sometimes both If your existing tap handle doesn't fit the top of the ceramic spindles tap handle then you will need to select one that suits or you might need to buy a full set of new tap handles and spindles in rarer cases. Most Ceramic spindles are reasonably universal and will accept a broader selection of tap handles.

This will help clarify the spindle variables. Keep in mind you not long ago you were struggling with the tap washer vs ceramic equivalency into your normal plumbing we didn't want to bog you down with too much info straight away. I think you're ready for it now. 🙂

Matty1

OK so I went to Bunnings on Saturday - told the bloke I was keen to switch from washer spindles to ceramics and that i was having issues with being unable to shut the tap because of a deep seat. He said no drama as he'd made the change himself and we looked for the spindle for the job. There were no ceramic spindles available individually for some reason so he suggested i get the mondella cadenza set as he had that himself with great results. I asked him if the spindle should be be able to adjust to my deep seat and he said no worries on that front. Alas I tried to install the new spindle and it simply did not go deep enough to meet the seat. Would another ceramic spindle make any difference? Have i likely done something wrong? What are my options from here? I really appreciate all your support folks but I do wonder if I am too inept to make full use of it unfortunately...

JacobZ

Hi @Matty1,

I'm sorry to hear things haven't been as straight forward as we had hoped.

There are deep-seat spindles, such as this Shaw & Mason Brass Deep Seat Basin Spindle, but I'm not sure how well it would work in your situation.

Do you have a photo you can share of the seat?

If it is simply sitting too deep in the wall, you may need to speak with a plumber so it can be extended to a usable depth.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Matty1

Hi Jacob - so are you saying that none of the ceramic spindles available would be suited to the job? I was under the impression that it was simply a matter of finding the right spindle but was that not the case? I told the guy at bunnings i had a deep seat and showed him my current spindle but he didn't see it as an issue..

Matty1

Hi Jacob - could you please explain what you mean by this sentence?

If it is simply sitting too deep in the wall, you may need to speak with a plumber so it can be extended to a usable depth.

JacobZ

Hi @Matty1,

You've said that the issue is because your seat is too deep for a standard spindle to reach. If that is the case, then it seems likely you'll need either a deep seat spindle or the seat needs to be adjusted so that a standard spindle can reach it.

I can't see your old spindle or the seat, which is making it difficult for me to completely understand the issue you're having.

If you can upload some photos of your old spindle and the pipework that you are trying to attach it to, this would greatly help me to help you.

Let me know if you need a hand uploading images, I'm happy to help if required.

My colleague @EricL, who has lots of experience with this kind of issue will also be online shortly to help.

Jacob

EricL

Hello @Matty1

Since you've mentioned that you have done a bit of reseating on the spindle base and the seat has gone a bit lower, it might be necessary to install new seats. This can be done using a Doust Plumbing Tap Total Repair Kit. This kit will bring the seat back to its original height using a replacement seat set. In essence you should be able to use standard height spindles along with the ceramic sets.

But just to be sure, can you please post a photo of your current spindle. Once we see what kind of spindle you have we'll be able to tell if you need a deep seat set or if a standard height set will work for you.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Matty1

Hi Eric - I could upload a photo if you like but as I said in another post its just the one that comes with the estilo wall top assembly I got from you guys - https://media.bunnings.com.au/api/public/content/05b6221a4eb74d208b363f8cf0f438f3?v=f437540f&t=w700dpr1

EricL

Hello @Matty1

I've placed an image below which should help with your decision making when it comes to spindles. Generally speaking, the standard spindle is technically the same height as a ceramic spindle. The only reason it will not fit properly is that the seat has been damaged, or it has been reseated too deeply. This is the part where you'll need to use the Doust Plumbing Tap Total Repair Kit to repair the seat of the spindle base. Please note that the locking sleeve of the ceramic spindle must be removed before installation.

The spindle with the extended bottom is called the deep seat spindle. It's the tallest of the bunch in the display, it will not fit a standard spindle body, it needs to be installed in a spindle base that is designed for deep seat spindles. If you are thinking of using a deep seat spindle in a standard kitchen brass body, it will not fit properly and it will not seat properly either. The last two images are of a ceramic spindle, one has the locking sleeve attached; the other one is the spindle itself without the locking spindle.

When installing the ceramic spindle, the locking sleeve must be removed first and the ceramic spindle body screwed in until it meets up with the spindle seat at the bottom of the body. There must be some screwing threads left on the surface so that the locking sleeve can be attached again.

If you have any other questions we can help with, lease let us know.

Eric

Noyade

Hi @Matty1

I was made acutely aware by another member on this site that this forum is based on opinions.

This was after I inappropriately openly 'disagreed' with something.

I thought a lot about this after that - they were absolutely right.

Two pages in and we're really not getting this solved mate - my humble opinion is you now seek the services of a licensed plumber.

Cheers.

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