Hi guys, I have an issue with my kitchen tap. See photos here for the tap: https://imgur.com/a/XNkvIjg
There is usually a black washer (which I have removed and is not in the photo here) which sits in the small part I have separated from the tap itself.
The black washer always wears out within a few weeks and starts releasing black particles in the water.
This has been going on for a while.
How do I resolve this issue?
Thanks.
That is bizarre!
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I've left it out for now but I have water seeping out/spraying from that point.
I can go with a different coloured washer but I don't want these washer particles in my water.
It's probably Chinese rubber aka made from floor sweepings in the "I can't Believe It's Not Rubber" factory. See if you can get a quality washer, a new tap end fitting complete, or a quality o-ring from an industrial supplier. Are you sure the water is OK? You are not over-tightening stuff? No sharp edges on the mating surfaces?
Like?
quality washer
A whole new tap you mean?
a new tap end fitting complete
Yep, water is ok
Are you sure the water is OK?
No
You are not over-tightening stuff?
Nope
No sharp edges on the mating surfaces?
You should be able to either get a new aerator filter insert complete with rubber, or the whole screw on tap end.They only need a slight tighten up.
Are you EVEN sure you got the correct washer?
Going to try this out. Thanks.
Well this is a strange one.
The 'small part' you're talking apart is called the aerator. Specially, a female Aerator (the screw threads are on the inside).
And yeah, as you've experienced, you need the washer to create a seal otherwise it'll spray out of the screw threads.
Just going to spitball some ideas n comments:
- Have you tried fully replacing the aerator? Just looking at the photo, it looks quite aged. Link to a Bunnings option.. Most aerators are universal and should fit on yours. But check the size! And it'll come with a new washer.
- Out of curiosity, as its wearing out each time…what sort of washer are you using as the replacement?
- Be wary of over tightening the washer, as it will over-compress the washer…and…well break especially with water constantly rushing past.
- Clean / Check (carefully) the male threads incase theres something sharp which might be tearing up the washing whenever you tighten the aerator back on.
- Lastly, the water pressure behind the tap might be too high? Unlikely but never know. Needs a plumber to check though.
Try a silicon washer
potable water isnt filtered unless you have installed a filter at your house, that might be particles that have floated its way down your pipes.
if not then you might be tightening your tap too much and causing friction to scalp off some of the washer.
Maybe a little thread tape on the threads?
don't believe anything to do with thread.
If the aerator leaks around the top thread tape might prevent the leaks. Thread tape isn’t black and won’t crumble either.
So have decided to go buy a new aerator as a quick fix.
But decided to take the opportunity to inspect the hoses underneath and I see some minor signs of rust. So I'll be looking to replace the tap and the hoses by a plumber (I'm not good with these things).
Any recommendations for a good kitchen tap?
When I click on the link i get this.
Leave the black washer out or get a different colour (fiber washer, teflon etc.)