How to Repair or Replace a Quarter Turn Ceramic Disk Tap Valve

In today's video I will be showing you how to repair or replace a quarter turn ceramic disk tap valve.

TODAY'S TOOLKIT
- Long nosed pliers (not essential but I needed them to remove the cap from the tap handle
- For the replacement ceramic disk valves I recommend you go to ebay
- Vaseline - some people use this instead to lubricate the ceramic disks but it's not advisable because, being petroleum based it will rot any rubber o rings.

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I'll be running through the 4 steps, from
1) Removing the existing valve
2) What to look out for when buying your new valve
3) Installing your new valve; and
4) How to clean and/or repair your existing disk tap valve

I'll be setting out in detail the pitfalls to avoid when choosing your replacement disk tap valves, and where to get them from.

I recommend you buy your replacement valves from ebay because the ebay sellers have a sophisticated platform complete with dimensions, spline teeth numbers that helps you identify exactly which disk valve you require - whereas with websites like Screwfix you only have a picture to rely on.

If you decide to repair rather than replace your disk valves, you want to take them apart by removing the circlip as shown in the video. Clean the "o" rings in soapy water, and if you live in a hard water area, you may need to place the rest of the disk valve including the ceramic plates in a descaler.

Then check that the disks themselves aren't scratched. If they are, you'll need to buy new valves. If they are not scratched, then lubricate them with silicone grease or vaseline. Then reassemble and reinstall the disk valves to see if the dripping has stopped.

SUBSCRIBE - you can subscribe to my Channel here:

LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte

[blackbeautifulandsmart]

Tbh this was one of the best “ how to do” video I’ve watched. It was thorough and I loved the way you sign posted your viewers to where to purchase the valves from. Well done and thank you.

[sharonthwaites]

This is brilliant: I've yawned through so many tedious 'how to' videos whose presenters could learn something from your snappy, concise and friendly style: thank you.

[tracyknight]

From a dripping tap 18 months ago, to a now, constant steady stream, watching your vids has given me the know how to fix this myself. Thank you! I now have a drip-free kitchen tap :)

[jameswarn]

Charlie - great informative video thank you, one tiny point I would mention - Vaseline is oil based and while will work well on the ceramic discs it will damage or dissolve anything rubber like the coloured seal, washer or an o ring so always use a silicone based lubricant like the one you used

[gavinnicholl]

Charlie to the rescue again. The tip to wrap masking tape around the valve collar to let you use a pair of grips to loosen it was brilliant! Thanks Charlie!

[roseymec]

Slightly drip turned into steady stream in very old Armitage Shanks bathroom sink hot water tap. Started taking it apart using my DYI skills, but quickly realized that I hadn’t a clue what to do with what I saw. Your clearly presented video gave me new knowledge and a dripless tap. Many thanks from this transplanted Florida gal who has subscribed and recommended you to others!

[SharonClifford-ym]

Just successfully repaired the ceramic gland valve and it's thanks to your video, used vaseline to lubricate it, used a bit of bicarbonate of soda and warm water to gently remove any lime scale, so far no drip. So tired of replacing taps due to this issue. Thank you so much😊

[madjack-bvdv]

I had two leaking taps an hour ago. Found this video. The advice to dismantle the cartridges and lubricate them is genius. It took me ten minutes per tap. Thank you very much.

[johnfozard]

Well done Charlie. All of the many videos that I have watched of yours have been accurate and informative with easy to understand language. I appreciate all the effort and best use of cameras etc to best explain what you are doing and how it should be done. Seriously impressive work. Keep it going. John.

[moley]

Hey, I've watched some YouTube videos in my time but your presentation was first class. Thanks.

[Fraser]

Thank you so much. Very thorough explanation. I was all set to go and get new valves but I managed to sort the problem just by dismantling and cleaning. I am completely handless when it comes to DIY so am feeling very pleased with managing to sort this myself and it’s all thanks to your video. Just gained yourself a new subscriber. Thanks again!!

[rmower]

As per usual, a quality video.
Not just replacing, but a repair too.
Keep up the Great work Mr

[jasonburch]

Thank you for taking the valve apart down to the component level. I took mine apart and since I could not see any real damage I cleaned the surfaces of the valve (where you talk about possibly adding a lubricant). I Did not add any lube, just reassembled, and the leak has stopped. Thanks again for the detailed video.

[Paul-Townsend]

Many Thanks. I'd tried soaking the ceramic discs to decalcify before and never ever been successful. HOWEVER this time I then 'polished' them on paper, as per one on the comments below, and then applied some vaseline (a tub with a best before Sept 1999). It worked! No more dripping tap. A great video from you again.

[jonniejam-shovel]

A good video with plenty of common sense advice. I've changed a few of these cartridges in my time and I will add a few points which have helped me. This type of cartridge is not happy with high water pressure, turn your pressure down and you will find the cartridge will last longer. Hard water scale is also a problem, and may cause these to seize up. I've successfully freed my taps off with wd40, and liquid vasaline which you can dribble onto the top of the bare spline and work on and off. Also the slotted screw shut off valves under the sink, can also seize keep an eye on them too. Better still I've fitted the 'lever arm' type for isolating the taps. Holding onto the tap while unscrewing the cartridge is very important too. Get another pair of hands to help you out if need be. All in all a good film. 👍Cheers.

[Crusoe]

Thank you so much for this! Your excellent advice allowed me to choose the correct valve first time and replace the existing one, which was completely shot and leaking. Lots of handy tips that encouraged me to try it at all - I'm terrified of plumbing! Totally makes up for the plumber that left me in the lurch with this job. What a gem.

[allanapel]

Excellent video, Charlie, really straightforward and well-paced particularly as DIYers don't do this kind of job every day. My burning thought from the start was 'how can you be sure to get the right replacement?'. Your Ebay advice is spot-on.
It reminds me of my dad's Renault 16 back in the 80's when his mechanic had hammered in a new driveshaft unaware that it had a different spline count with the resulting breakdown soon after.

[suemount]

Feeling self satisfied took cartridge apart sorted it put it back no drip and saved money thanks Charlie got my diy mojo back looking forward to learning more from you

[colinstewart]

Just followed Charlie's instruction on how to cure a dripping tap, excellent instruction, very clear saved me money as I followed it to the end and dismantled the ceramic tap lubricated it and put it back together..NO more drips Perfect !

[frankmanigrasso]

Thanks for posting this. I just fixed a leaking tap by using some silicon grease and it worked. I'd have put the fix at the beginning of the video as it is a far cheaper option than new valves. Only need to buy replacement valves if the grease doesn't work. And it's really easy to do, as you have shown on the video. Wish I'd seen this two years ago, I spent a fortune on new valves, when I could have just applied grease to the ones in place.