Cheap and Nasty taps All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[annoyed]

Three years ago replaced kitchen and sink. The sink has a one stem swivel tap for hot and cold water. Within six months the two colour coded side sections of the tap base fell out - and couldn't be replaced (plastic internal clips had snapped off) and within two years we needed to replace the washer mechanism to stop the damn things dripping.

Now the entire tap base moves whenever you swivel the tap arm over the two sinks. Have tightened the nut below the base and this worked for about a day or so until the whole thing started shifting again. Other half will try again but is worried he'll snap the tap base if he overtightens it.

Any ideas? I've suggested buying new taps but other half reckons that if that design is the same the whole thing will just repeat itself.

Incidentally, our old tap (same principle and similar design) worked brilliantly for 19 years and never even needed its washer replacing. Why is everything today cheapjack and shoddy?

[plumbbob]

Why is everything today cheapjack and shoddy?

I'm afraid it's caused by the recession.

I have noticed over the last few years that the manufacturing standard and quality of products has taken a nosedive. Designs and materials that have been the standard for decades have been abandoned in a desperate bid to contain costs.

The tap design you have is a normal fitting and should hold the tap steady. If the tap is a cheap model, it could be the fixing bracket is too thin, bent or faulty. Whatever the cause, the design shouldn't effect the performance of the fixing.

[annoyed]

Thanks for the reply - and apologies for the delay in responding.

The taps weren't especially cheap either - so re your point and the recession - maybe that is the case but things still cost the same and sometimes a great deal more!

Anyway, we'll see what we can do.

Once again, many thanks