Ideas on sourcing discontinued taps/tap parts? :(

[Sue]

A stupid stupid relative broke off a vital part of my bathroom taps over Christmas (the diverter lever for the bath/shower). It was accidental but considerable force must have been used :(

The taps are discontinued and the manufacturer still has some parts but (sod's law strikes again) not this one.

Does anybody have any idea where I might be able to get either the part or (more likely) the tap set? I've googled, obviously. Unfortunately it turns out that places which appeared to have it in stock just get it from the manufacturer when someone orders it, and aren't aware it's been discontinued.

I am getting a plumber to look at it but don't hold out much hope. There's a tiny bit of thread left on the lever, so I've been able to reattach it in a rather unstable wobbly sort of way, but most of the rest of the thread appears to be left inside the spout plinth :(

It took me ages to find taps I liked, and if I have to replace the whole lot I'll have to replace the basin taps as well. To say I'm furious is an understatement.

They're Heritage Fairport Shaker 4 Hole Bath Shower Mixer TSC074 (just in case anyone has a spare set hanging around - I should be so lucky).

Really hoping someone on here knows of a brilliant spares supplier or something!!!

[KidKruger]

Try eBay for replacement set (and keep what you don't need now for spares) ?

[Sue]

KidKruger Wrote:

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> Try eBay for replacement set (and keep what you

> don't need now for spares) ?

First thing I tried.

Zilch.

ETA: They did come up, but with a note saying unavailable or discontinued or something along those lines.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

TAPS AFF.

Soz, couldn't resist!

[Sue]

Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

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> TAPS AFF.

>

> Soz, couldn't resist!

No problem at all because I have no idea what that means :)) :)) :))

Is it some sort of Scottish swear word?

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Just the refrain of Scotland's finest beer bellied gents when the sun comes out. Tops Off...I.e. Bare chested!

Hope you get your tap sorted.

ETA: Taps Aff.

Sue Wrote:

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> Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > TAPS AFF.

> >

> > Soz, couldn't resist!

>

>

> No problem at all because I have no idea what that

> means :)) :)) :))

>

> Is it some sort of Scottish swear word?

[Sue]

Help-Ma-Boab Wrote:

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> Just the refrain of Scotland's finest beer bellied

> gents when the sun comes out. Tops Off...I.e. Bare

> chested!

>

> Hope you get your tap sorted.

>

> ETA: Taps Aff.

>

Ah. Been away from Dens Road too long :)) :)) :))

[Loz]

These guys seem to suggest they still have some in stock...

http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/heritage-fairport-4-hole-bath-shower-mixer-tsc074-tsfc00.aspx

[malumbu]

Try Peter at the Old Bath House in Sydenham, he will have some other contacts.

When I have asked plumbers about this sort of thing they always say they can't be rrrrssed to repair anything any more and prefer to replace things.

[KidKruger]

I've used Victoria Plumb before for bathroom stuff and IMO they offer exceptional service.

Great firm.

[Sue]

Loz Wrote:

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> These guys seem to suggest they still have some in

> stock...

>

> http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/heritage-fairpo

> rt-4-hole-bath-shower-mixer-tsc074-tsfc00.aspx

Unfortunately they weren't aware that the taps had been discontinued, which is why they still had them on their website.

I have been on the phone to them this morning.

They don't keep any stock. If somebody orders the taps from them they just get them from the manufacturers. Who don't have any.

I found a few other websites appearing to have them, too. I got all excited until my hopes were dashed :(

[Sue]

malumbu Wrote:

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> Try Peter at the Old Bath House in Sydenham, he

> will have some other contacts.

>

> When I have asked plumbers about this sort of

> thing they always say they can't be rrrrssed to

> repair anything any more and prefer to replace

> things.

Thanks I will try, but everybody I have tried so far - including firms claiming to have discontinued bathroom items - would just have got them from the manufacturer - who don't have any.

I'm sure plumbers would prefer to replace things. Sadly in this case it will probably take me years to find other taps I like. I've already spent much of today looking, and in my opinion most of the taps on sale are absolutely hideous and I couldn't bear to live with them :(

Picky, I know :(

[ed_pete]

Pretty similar (as a replacement)

http://www.tapwarehouse.com/product/sfl047

[Sue]

ed_pete Wrote:

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> Pretty similar (as a replacement)

>

> http://www.tapwarehouse.com/product/sfl047

That's kind of you to find those.

Unfortunately I don't like (understatement) the design of the tap levers, with those weird bits stuck on the ends, however if push comes to shove I may have to see if a plumber could combine parts of the existing taps with parts of this one, so thanks :)

[Grok]

Stop eating posh cheese on toast, save taps.

[Sue]

Grok Wrote:

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> Stop eating posh cheese on toast, save taps.

Useful contribution, thanks