Leaking hand basin tap

[Aleks356]

Hi, I have a hand basin tap that leaks, I used to be able to fix it just by replacing the little plunger with the rubber o-ring on the bottom of it.

then after a few years, I also needed to re-grind the seat(where the plunger seals onto.

This trick has stopped working and when I remove the rubber plunger, it is always badly damaged.

I decided to use a drill with the plumbers grinding tool attached to it so I could grind the seat abit better and faster than by hand and upon finishing it looks like it’s going to do the trick but I noticed a small split in the base, please look at the object circled in blue, is this normal, is it some kind of bleed etc because I think this is what keeps slicing my rubber o-ring seals up!

Not leaking now as it’s freshly ground plus it’s got a new plunger with rubber o-ring but I figure that once the rubber o-ring gets damaged only after a few days use it will leak again.

Also, to turn the tap off, I have to really turn it hard until it can turn no more otherwise it leaks a few drops or a little stream still comes out.

Whereas the other tap next to it turns off immediately as soon as the knob starts turning a little hard. Does this mean something is worn like the seat and I may need like a thicker rubber o-ring to compensate for this??

any help appreciated.

Photo attached of “cut” object in seat
Circled in blue

Photo also attached of the tool that I use and have always used to grind the seat, although I now use on a drill for faster results instead of hand cranking it.

 

[arctic bill]

that last photo , is there a groove at the bottom of the seat ?

 

[Aleks356]

that last photo , is there a groove at the bottom of the seat ?

Yes it’s a grove, that’s what I meant to say, I just couldn’t think of the words to use, is this grove supposed to be there?, it’s quite deep as in I can clearly feel a screwdriver go in and stop on it when I poke around to see the depth etc.

 

[Geofd]

Change the seat and stem/plunger

 

[GReynolds929]

The seat is deeply grooved by what's shown in the picture. Not repairable. New seat needed. If not replaceable new faucet required.

 

[Aleks356]

The seat is deeply grooved by what's shown in the picture. Not repairable. New seat needed. If not replaceable new faucet required.

Thankyou, I thought as much, really appreciate your help, I am wondering how it got grooved like that as it dosent just seem like a random crack or damage, it seems as though the groove has been deliberately and precisely cut although this seems impossible, I wonder what has done that, maybe a weak spot and it’s rusted out over the years. Thanks for your help

 

[GReynolds929]

Water did it. Starts out as a slow drip from a worn washer, and over time the water wears away the brass creating the groove. If the drip gets fixed with a new washer quickly before the seat is damaged then the groove doesn't have time to start. This is why small drips can be a big deal.