I have a kitchen tap that when you turn it off it continues to go round and the water starts again. ive had a look at the tap, removed the Hot/cold cover plate, unscrewed the cover. inside is a white nut (maybe its called) that fits inside the handle to turn. thats goes over a metal fixture. with a spring around the outside of it. when i turn the tap it sounds like the spring jumps. i thought i would have to just replace the washer, but i dont seem to be able to get to the washer.
Any ideas on how to fix this? PLEASE!

Kellie, March 2007

My problem was the same, but the solution much simpler. In the centre of the tap will be a small cover, covering a screw that tightens the tap itself onto the stem. I took off the cover and tightened the screw, job done.

Neil, January 2014

I am having a simuler promblem but when i turn my tap of it keeps running are landlord says that we should pay 500 pound for a new tap it looks like are tap has been overrturned any ideas i think i have a tap that has something jammed in it to.

Charlotte, February 2013

Somtimes it is a brass screw is jamed on the top of brass part which should be rotating. If it is not try to give some jerks and clean. If it solves then its okay otherwise you have to replace the brass part as mentioned by Richard Clark. I had something like that today. The plumber managed to free the screw part but still problem didnt get solved. He asked me to change the brass part which he did not have of proper size for me and took £35 for nothing and left the place making the tap leak which was not there before. Better do DIY.

Sachin, March 2009

there should be a brass cap under the spring clip that you mention. This has a six sided body which you can put a spanner on to unscrew the brass bit from the tap's main body. Take this off and at the bottom of it will be the washer. If it isn't the washer assembly may have dropped off and is still in the tap's main body. Check the washer part moves in and out when you turn the bit that the handle fits on to. If it doesn't then play with it and see why. Worst case you go to the DIY store and by a new brass bit for a few quid.

Richard Clark, January 2008