Friday, 4 July 2014

Tap Magician Guide on identifying the correct replacement ceramic tap cartridge








We stock the worlds largest range of cartridges

Do you need help to find and install the correct replacement tap cartridge to repair your tap? You may have been told by your plumber the only way to fix that leak is to spend £100 + (not including labour costs) on a new tap...

Or you may have just trawled around all your local plumbers merchants and hardware stores and either purchased several replacements... all of which are the wrong size, or phoned the tap manufacturer only to be told that particular cartridge has been discontinued!

Well, you are not alone! In fact our business was born out of our own experience of trying to repair a dripping ceramic disc tap at home. Finding and procuring the right insert was a nightmare and resulted in many costly mistakes before eventually repairing the troublesome valve. 









You wouldn't believe how many variations there really are. Not a day goes by where we don't get emailed with a new size...nothing ceases to amaze us anymore when it comes to ceramic disc glands! Every manufacturer has a different design of cartridge, with some being different in each of their numerous models.

So when our customers phone us for advice this is what we ask them

1. Do you know the manufacturer and model of your tap? 


Yes - Over time we have compiled a database of which of our replacement cartridges will fit certain manufacturers and models. We have built this from what previous customers have ordered. 

Please follow this link to use our   Shop by manufacturer  page
We are still currently updating this page so please contact us if you can't see your manufacturer or model listed. Sales@tapmagician.co.uk 

NO - Then you will need to remove the cartridge to check the dimensions. (if you are used to calling a plumber in, then consider saving yourself £££, there are lots of very helpful you tube videos our there with step by step guidance on removing the tap handle and cartridge) 

2. What is the thread size?

Once you have the cartridge out then you need to identify the thread size.  In the UK 95% of taos are either BSP 1/2" (basin size) or 3/4" (Bath size). The BSP "British pipe standard" doesnt refer to any physical dimension, which is very confusing and which is why we display all the dimensions in mm. Our 1/2" valves measure 18mm diameer across the bottom, whereas the 3/4" measure 24mm.


3. How many teeth are there on the spline (this is the stem of the valve)




We now sell a spline gauge to accurately determine the number of teeth on the spline and the spline diameter. You can purchase that Here 

If you dont have this then you need to count by eye. If you struggle to do this then you can take a photo looking down the stem of the valve and then count them on the computer screen.


If there is a plastic adaptor on the cartridge, you will need to remove this and count the teeth on the valve. You will need to keep the plastic adaptor and fit this on to the new cartridge. If you have broken yours then you will either need to repair it, or you can use resin putty to mould yourself a new adaptor piece. Please see here for further instructions on doing this
 How do I make my own plastic handle adaptor piece


We sell 18, 20, 24 and 28 spline valves. 20 is by far the most common number of teeth. 

Some valves have 36 teeth, or as many as 50. If you have a valve with this high number of teeth and you cant go to the manufacturer direct then you buy a 20 spline valve and use resin putty to make an adaptor for the handle. 

When you know the number of teeth you can click on the relevant heading along the top of our website www.tapmagician.co.uk 

When you click on the relevant spline number at the top of our website, you will then see various options 

1/2" with threaded collar,  1/2" without threaded collar, 3/4" with threaded collar, 3/4" without threaded collarThe diagram below shows the difference between a valve with and without a threaded collar





















Click on the relevant link to view our range of valves.

You will see we list the full set of dimensions A - K as diagram below.



You should be able to easily match the dimensions up with your valve 

If you can't see your size listed, please email us with your full set of dimensions, the number of teeth on the spline and we can advise you if we can help with a replacement.


Or you are welcome to send us your old valve for us to match up.



sales@tapmagician.co.uk
We sell spares including aerators, handles, screws, adaptor bushes, spline adpators for the following tap brands 
wren
We sell cartridge to fit the most popular makes and models of taps in the UK including Franke Ascona, Olympus, Eiger, Zurich, Triflow, Lamona, Carron Phoenix, Perrin & Rowe, Abode, Ideal Standard, Borma, SMR, San Marco,Homebase, wickes, B&Q, Paini, Victoria plumb, We sell cartridges, spares, spout o'ring repair kits. 


We are available to offer you help and support, we can offer advice on how to remove tap handles, how to remove stiff and corroded valves, how to correctly install  and fit your new ceramic cartridge, How to convert to ceramic type cartridge,  How to repair  / renovate your tap cartridge, changing a ceramic tap washer,  how to install ceramic disc taps valves, tap valve, mixer tap cartridge, shower cartridge, mixer tap washers, ceramic tap washers, tap parts, tap inserts, tap spares

I know which replacement cartridge to buy? I can't find the right size ceramic valve for my quarter turn ceramic disc tap? how to repair fix my dripping tap? cheap replacement ceramic disc valves, Tap  Magician, How to measure tap cartridge, how to replace a valve in tap? 





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