We've moved into a house with a single lever mixer tap fitted on the bathroom basin. It is leaking from the base of the lever, does anyone know what may cause this, and how to fix it. It is a constrant drip, which left a large puddle on the floor over night. The tap should be relatively new since the bathroom was recently renovated, just before we moved in, in fact we don't believe it was used till we moved in 10 days ago. There is no leak from the spout.

charkit, September 2009

With Allen wrench, loosen the locking pin under the handle and remove the cap unit. Using needle-nose pliers, tighten (clockwise) the top ring-seal down onto the ball valve. If that doesn't stop the leak (or if you have to tighten the ring so much that the ball is too stiff to operate), then replace the whole cartridge. Don't try to replace the ball seal rings, they're too delicate and too difficult to get aligned properly. In some cases, it's cheaper to just buy a new faucet.

Experienced Retiree, September 2009

probably one of the flexi hoses undernearth

hi-spec plumbing & heating (essex), September 2009