I have a problem with the cold water flow from the mixer tap on my bath. Generally the cold water flow is poor, and particularly bad if I run the hot first. I have found if I do not let the cold run by itself first, and I let the taps/pipes heat by running the hot water, then I won't be able to get any cold water to flow at all. I had a few scalding showers before I realised I had to make sure I turned the cold on first before adding the hot! I have adopted this method, and this has worked fairly well, however, now, even from first turning on the cold tap, the water is hardly flowing at all. I had this problem a year or so ago when first moved in (new build) and the housebuilder's plumber fixed it easily, telling me it had just been a build up of 'flux' (?) in the pipe/tap. Problem has clearly recurred. Can anyone help me fix this? Thanks.

Jackie, November 2008

I have a problem the mixer tap in the upstairs bathroom has not cold water coming out of it .Yesterday i turned of the stop cock and drained the water after turning the water back on later everything else works fine ie; basin hot tap side bath mixer tap , kitchen sink mixer tap. There doenst seem to be any preasure just a dribble of water.

Graham, August 2013

the mixer cold water tap has slowed to nothing but the hot water from it is fine is it posibally a washer issue if so how to correct

paul osullivan, September 2012

I have a mixer in my toilet and use it as a bidet, The hot water flows okay but no water from the cold. I noticed that the isolation valve was placed the wrong way up by a cowboy plumber and I thought this could be the problem. I have repaced the valve with a new one, the water is flowing but not coming through to the mixer only the hot again. The water come from my loft not the mains. COuld this be the problem?

alan, February 2009

wot no guarantees with newbuild? system should all be flushed etc on comissioning.

huge euge, November 2008

Jackie PS
you'll actually be pushing that spanner to your right when you open the tap. the lefty loosey righty tighty rule doesen't work, as the brass bit's a screw not a bolt sorry.

Kenny F, November 2008

Jackie
I wonder how DIY you feel?

Turn off the water to the house at the stopcock youll know when its off the cold tap in the kitchen stops running. Open the taps on the bath both will run for 10-15 minutes until your tank upstairs empties. If you like I think that you would be best to shut off the hot tap once you see the flow drop off a bit, this will prevent airlocks in that system.Once the cold tap stops flowing,Take the plastic cap off the tap. It has a dust cover and this will usually lever off with the help of a fine tool like a fine screwdriver. Then using a phillips (star) screwdriver remove the cover. This will leave you with a brass bit with flats and a bit sticking out (sorry to patronise but I don't know how much you know) use a 17mm spanner to open this - lefty loosey- and use something to stop the tap moving when you exert the type of strength needed to undo this, lets hope your plumber does not see screw treads as a threat to his masculinity and has just pinched the tap enough or you'll need to exert a lot of force to open it. When this is opened you will be looking into the "pipe" of the tap. Clean out any gunge and check the rubber washer on the bottom of the brass bit is ok if not replace it by getting a 3/4 tap washer from your local hardware store. The entire guts for the tap can be bought if necessary but on a new build its really unlikely they're worn unless you damage them getting them out.. it happens to us all. rebuild the tap the way you took it off giving the brass bit a good pinch up but not too much (you ladies are stronger than you realise) then with both taps closed open up the stopcock to the house again. Open the taps again a little and let the system fill up for say 20 minutes, then try out the taps properly and see if its improved. youve probably run away all the heat of your water but the pressure will be the same.

Kenny F, November 2008