How to stop water coming out of copper T-bar despite spindles being closed?

[TJP]

Hi folks',

I have a problem regarding my bathroom sink. I currently have two new spindles installed into the basin top that connects to the T-bar copper piping. The problem is even though the spindles are turned off, I'm losing water at a rate of 20L/phr. I've examined the seating for the spindles and it looks good nothing down there to interfere with having a tight seal. I'm wondering if there's a way to plug the T-bar where the spout would usually sit to reduce if not completely stop water flow.

Attached photo is of a spare T-Bar I have and not the actual bar currently leaking.

Regards,

TJP.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @TJP,

Could you confirm whether the water you’re losing is actually flowing out of the spout? Also, is it both the hot and cold taps that aren’t shutting off, or just one of them?

If your spindles use ceramic discs, it’s possible the height hasn’t been adjusted correctly, which can prevent a full seal. On the other hand, if the spindles are the valve washer type, the issue could be that you need deep-seat spindles, and your current sink top might be preventing the valve from fully contacting the seat.

Once we know which type of spindle you have and which tap is affected, it will be easier to suggest the best way to fix the leak. 

Remember this is considered plumbing work and requires a licensed plumber to perform the installation.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[TJP]

Hi Mitchell, I appreciate your reply.

As to whether it's the hot or cold tap I am unsure, I felt the water coming out of the bar and it felt cool, but the water didn't have enough time to warm up. There is still a slow leak even with the water turned off at the main.

These are the spindles I am using as well as the current sink. 

Regards,

TJP.

[MitchellMc]

Did you screw the spindle, which you have in your hand, right down and tighten it until it contacted the seat and stopped @TJP? Did you then screw on the outer section of the spindle until it made contact? The outer secondary part of the spindle is not in your images.

The most common reason for ceramic disc taps to leak on installation is that the outer section (not pictured) and the inner section are screwed in at the same time.

Mitchell

[TJP]

Hi Michael,

Yes the outer section has been attached and tightened.

[MitchellMc]

And, to confirm @TJP. The inner section, in your hand in the above photo, was screwed in first, by itself, with a spanner, that you used to tighten it into position?

Mitchell

[TJP]

Ahhhh Michael, no I did not tighten the inner section with a spanner, only by hand. I thought the outer section with a spanner was all that was required.

Problem is now resolved, apologies for the back and forth and a BIG THANK YOU for rectifying this.

Thank you for your knowledge.

Have a wonderful day,

TJP

[MitchellMc]

Awesome @TJP! Absolutely love a good fix like that. If it makes you feel any better, that's the exact same thing I did the first time I installed ceramic disc spindles. Assembled it all and then couldn't work out why my water was still flowing.

Glad I could assist!

Mitchell

[TJP]

Yes! That does make me feel better!

Appreciate you Michael.

TJP.

[TJP]

Apologies, I meant Mitchell.