How to tighten tap body for Mondella Maestro Mixer?

[Freddles]

Hi,

This is about Mondella WELS 4 Star 7.5L/min Chrome Maestro Lever Handle Basin Mixer – see pictures.

I had this Mondella Mixer installed on my kitchen sick.

It's been working fine. But after a few weeks, the tap body came loose. There is a screw at the base (refer to other picture with red arrow), but even when tightening it well, the body tap is still loose.

I can't find any manual for this tap. Is it because it is made by Bunnings?

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated on how to tighten the tap body. Thank you.

Screw at the base of the tap body

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Freddles. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about tightening a tap.

Understanding exactly what part of your tap has come loose would be helpful for our members and allow them to provide informed responses. Is the whole tap body not firmly fixed to the bench? This is the most common place for issues to occur. The tap is connected to the bench via a nut on the underside of the bench. The nut clamps the tap down to the bench. If the nut isn't tightened correctly, it can work itself loose, and the entire tap body will swivel on the benchtop. This nut needs to be accessed and tightened.

I would presume the grubscrew you're tightening would retain the spout and not necessarily have to do with the loose tap body.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Freddles]

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for getting back to me.

The tap is firmly fixed to the bench, no problem there.

I used the wrong term it seems. This would be the spout that is loose. That is: the part above the grubscrew.

It would tilt a bit when I swivel it. Does it make sense?

Thanks.

[EricL]

Hi @Freddles 

I suspect that the rubber washers that support the spout have worn down. This is why you are getting a bit of a lean whenever you tighten up the grub screw. 

I suggest using the Syneco 3 - 22mm O Rings Assorted Set along with HydroSeal 40g Tube Tap Lubricant. Failure to put in the lubricant will make it impossible to reinstall the spout and will tear your newly installed o rings.

In order to replace the o rings, I recommend removing the grub screw using an Allen key and pulling out the spout assembly from the main body of the tap. Remove the old o rings and match them up with new ones from the Syneco set. Slide the new o rings on and apply a liberal amount of tap lubricant. Push the spout assembly back on and re-install the grub screw. 

Please make sure that your mains water is turned off at the meter to avoid any accidental flooding.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Freddles,

I can see that my colleague @EricL has advised how to resolve the issue, but I thought I'd add that since this appears to be a newish tap, you shouldn't be experiencing this type of wear. I'd be speaking with the team in-store to see if this is potentially a faulty item that needs to be swapped over.

Mitchell

[Freddles]

Thanks, @EricL and @MitchellMc.

Yes, the tap has only been installed for a few weeks.

I have unscrewed the grub screw but the spout doesn't come out easily from the main body of the tap. I don't want to apply too much strength in case I damage something. Is the spout supposed to pull out easily, or is there another screw somewhere? Is there a diagram describing the components of the tap?
Noted about checking if it is a faulty item, @MitchellMc.

Thank you.

[MitchellMc]

The spout isn't necessarily designed to pull off easily @Freddles. The rubber O rings in there should last for close to a decade, so there's no need for easy access. I suspect that it would just be the grub screw holding the spout on and once it's removed, it would take a bit of force to pull the spout off.

Unfortunately, there's no diagram illustrating the parts of the tap.

Mitchell

[Freddles]

Thanks, @MitchellMc.

I'm going away for a few weeks, so it will have to wait until I'm back to try and pull the spout out.

But as you said, the tap is quite new. We bought the tap from Alexandria on 27 April and it was installed 2 weeks later. So, let me know the outcome of you speaking with the team in-store to see if this is faulty and can be swapped over. I assume the new tap would be tested before hand, so we don't run in the same issue.

My partner can pick it up from the Alexandria store if this is the case, and I will try and install it when I'm back. We had a plumber install it the first time around, and I'm not prepared to spend more money for a second installation just a few weeks apart. I would appreciate some advice from you then on the best way to swap the taps with minimum effort. Thank you.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Freddles,

I've had a word with the team at Bunnings Alexandria, and the display does not appear to have the same issue as your tap. Your tap is obviously faulty, and we'd be happy to swap it over for you. The team in-store can check to make sure the new unit doesn't have this issue. However, it sounds from your description that this fault wasn't immediately noticeable.

Changing the tap is likely a job that requires a plumber. We are able to swap the unit over in-store for you, but if you're looking to have someone replace the unit in your home, then it would be best to contact Mondella directly to discuss options. 

Mitchell

[Freddles]

Thank you, @MitchellMc

i will have a try with the spout when I’m back at the end of June. 
It sounds like the best option is to swap the tap though, so I’ll get it from the Alexandria store then. I will try and contact Mondella to get someone to swap the taps at no cost, but somehow I doubt it will happen, even if it is not fair for me to have to pay twice for an installation.