DIY with function over finesse!!

[Rp0thejester]

[PaulC5]

I have a similar arrangement. The kitchen cold tap has been leaking for ages. I have attempted to change the cartridge but can't shift it. I will renew the taps, one day but currently catch the drips in the washing up bowl, open the window and chuck it out.

Our kitchen tap is a mixer tap and to remove the cartridges I removed the spout, put a long bar in its place to use as a lever to oppose a socket and breaker bar used to undo the cartridges. Took some effort but replacing the cartridges was a lot cheaper than a new tap. I think I got the new parts from Screwfix but needed the old ones to get the right size.

[CitroJim]

Good work Mick

I often wonder how much I pour down the sink when waiting for the hot water to arrive at the tap when I am on washing-up duties, it’s probably criminal …

Me too... It always bothers me. Ditto the amount of water I use when processing films although all the water-bath water (once cooled) ends up on on the garden unless I know I've accidentally contaminated it...

[myglaren]

I have a similar arrangement. The kitchen cold tap has been leaking for ages. I have attempted to change the cartridge but can't shift it. I will renew the taps, one day but currently catch the drips in the washing up bowl, open the window and chuck it out.

Our kitchen tap is a mixer tap and to remove the cartridges I removed the spout, put a long bar in its place to use as a lever to oppose a socket and breaker bar used to undo the cartridges. Took some effort but replacing the cartridges was a lot cheaper than a new tap. I think I got the new parts from Screwfix but needed the old ones to get the right size.

Done loads of them, five minute job although finding a replacement can sometimes be a problem.
This one is welded in I think. Used some huge spanners that by dad had when he was in the shipyard. Of course the tap body was trying to turn with it and although I restrained that with an opposite and equal force it wouldn't budge. If I take the tap out I may be able to do it in the vice but having got to that point I think I will just replace with a mixer tap and lose the other one too.
Access is the problem though, completely buried up the back of the cupboard and buried behind lots of pipework. Tempted to get the heating engineer to add to his list when he next services the boiler.

[moizeau]

Tempted to get the heating ENGINEER to add to his list when he next services the boiler.

The most over and wrongly used word in the UK. Only in the UK as far as I'm aware. An Engineer is the the person who designs the system, a Techncian is someone who understands and troubleshoots, a Fitter is the person who changes a thermocouple in the boiler while the boss (the technician) writes the bill out.
Here in France you need to have a degree (in the relevent subject) to class yourself as an Engineer. I think the change of use first started in ads a good few years ago with companies using the term to make themselves appear more professional than the competition.

[myglaren]

Fully in agreement with that but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a suitable alternative.
I blame trump.

[mickthemaverick]

My twopenneth: To me the word Engineer on its own refers to a person who operates an engine, eg. locomotive drivers etc. In common use now but ideally preceeded by a qualifying term such as Maintenance Engineer or Construction Engineer as used by the GPO and its successors. Now we have Heating Engineers (Plumbers!), Drainage Engineers (Sewage workers), Agricultural Engineers (Farmers!) and even Refuse Collection Engineers (Dustmen!)

As a fully qualified Electronic and Radio Engineer I am happy to be known as an Engineer but I doubt if some of those mentioned above would be!!

[Sloppysod]

This one is welded in I think. Used some huge spanners that by dad had when he was in the shipyard.

Daft question, it's not a left-hand thread is it?

[myglaren]

No.