Tightening my hot sink tap the other day to stop water flow I found that instead of the usual resistance when it won't turn no more, it felt light it would keep tightening. I loosened up the tap to let the water out and a bit of metal came out. I tightened it and loosened it again and more came out..this happened a few times.

It looks like it might have been flat and circular....any ideas what it might have been. That water ain't leaking but I don't trust it.

Is it a new tap of are bit available ?

Depending on who manufactured your tap there are often parts available. Some of the more expensive manufacturers will even send bits out free!

Take it apart and compare with the internals of the cold tap.

Soundsa bit like a split circlip, but I'm not a plumber

Depending on who manufactured your tap there are often parts available. Some of the more expensive manufacturers will even send bits out free!

Knowing the builders that built mine I doubt they are too expensive.

Take it apart and compare with the internals of the cold tap.

Soundsa bit like a split circlip, but I'm not a plumber

From the bits I seen it looked like a diaphram only metal...if you get me (hence why I can't understand why not leaking). Didn't really look like a regular type of "C" looking circlip.

You're going to have to get your hands dirty and have a look

word of warning , don't take it apart unless the water is turned off , or at least the tap isolator valve is turned off . does the tap seem to turn more now to get the water too stop ? sounds like the part that shuts the water off has broken , i think it may have a rubber washer under the bits of metal you've found , which is why it still stops the water , i think you will need a new tap insert , B+Q do them iirc , or has been said above the manufacturer may send them out , oh yes ,and i'm not a plumber either , but i once did a plumbing course at night school

You're going to have to get your hands dirty and have a look

I'm just afraid that if I take it apart it may not stop the water after re-fitting without the broken bit that is...then I'll be stuck.

I might give the maintaince guy who looked after the houses a shout to see where replacements for that particular tap can be got...ya never know he might look after me

does the tap seem to turn more now to get the water too stop ? sounds like the part that shuts the water off has broken , i think it may have a rubber washer under the bits of metal you've found , which is why it still stops the water ,

That sounds about right

Chances are you can shut the water off either on the pipe under the sink, or the main **** from the hot tank, dismantle the tap, pop down to B&Q with the broken washer, buy a new one and re-assemble. Have a go yourself before paying a call out fee to a plumber.

Chances are you can shut the water off either on the pipe under the sink, or the main **** from the hot tank, dismantle the tap, pop down to B&Q with the broken washer, buy a new one and re-assemble. Have a go yourself before paying a call out fee to a plumber.

I'll have a look at it when I go home

**** was meant to say c o c k

I once spent hours worrying about a metal disc that came out of my tap, then I remembered the outside tap kit I'd just fitted (that clamps around the pipe and cuts it's own self-sealing connection - i.e. the metal disc). Some 'instant' washing machine fittings do the same. Not saying that's your problem, but if the tap looks OK inside, I wouldn't worry.

A new pair of pillar taps from Screwfix.com is about £11 - just bung some new ones in...

I went to loads of places today to get a spindle...didn't want to remove old one first just incase it wouldn't go back together. All places sell taps for around 20-30 euro but the spindle is only 2 euro.

Got home and went to install it...bloody thing had no threads for the outer tap cover. I ended up making one unit out of 2...took a bit of fileing (spelling doesn't look right), anyway it fits now so hopefully it won't leak...thanks all for your help.

Btw it was the brass washer type thing just above the nylon washer at the end that broke up.....funny thing is that tap very seldom gets use, I did notice a leak previously and probably tightened too tight.