Urgent Help - Taps

[mo]

Hi Further to my previous posts about noisy taps, it has been recommended I change them from quarter turn levers to traditional screw/turn taps.

The taps I have now are like so - ceramic ones:

?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=49479-91&searchbutton.x=0&searchbutton.y=0&searchbutton=submitCan I just buy these heads and replace ?

so hwo hard a job is it and will it matter if the original head was different or are they interchangable? On the original taps is the cermic bit in the handle??

[The Medway Handyman]

?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=49479-91&searchbutton.x=0&searchbutton.y=0&searchbutton=submit>>> Can I just buy these heads and replace ?

> If so hwo hard a job is it and will it matter if the original head was

The replacement heads are almost certainly for traditional taps e.g. screw/turn. They are very simple to fit, but I'm certain they won't work - the ceramic bit is in the body of the tap.

Its not hard to change taps, especially if you use flexible tap connectors.

[mo]

Tried changing taps once before and had a bit of bother with the washers - where are the washers emant to go and what types do you use?

I need to do the bath and bathroom sink so I will prob just but a set I guess.

[mo]

How do you connect these to the pipe?

am guessing its a little more than just screwing it on

also does using a flexi hose affect the water in any way (i.e the pressure etc) - also does it have to be tort / not lax/bent ?

[The Medway Handyman]

Depends on the tap, most cheaper ones have a single rubber washer which goes between the tap & the basin/bath and a back nut which goes underneath the basin/bath. Some have two washers & should include a diagram.

> I am guessing its a little more than just screwing it on

That particular one is a compression fitting so you need two spanners to do it up. You can buy push fit connectors. They need two things to work properly - a clean pipe cut with a pipe cutter.

You will find the whole job much easier if you have the right tools, a small investment (£10) will save loads of time & aggro. Bear in mind that basins are 1/2" taps fed by 15mm pipe and baths (generally) have 3/4" taps fed by

22mm pipe.

Assuming the taps are connected by copper pipe - if not photo please.

Invest in a pipe cutter similar to this

can use wire wool to clean the pipe - no paint, solder blobs, verdigree etc - clean!

An adjustable basin wrench will make it easy/possible to do up the back nuts & connectors

?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=adjustable+basin+wrench&searchbutton.x=16&searchbutton.y=8> also does using a flexi hose affect the water in any way (i.e the pressure

In theory yes, in practice not really. They should follow gentle curves - go into Wickes & read the back of the packet - no twists, kinks, strain.

HTH

[mo]

Hi Just had a look at the bath tap and one side (the side against the wall) it is fitted with one of those flexible things (but its almost totally straight) and the other side is a normal pipe.

I have some pics

?image=img1347jw7.jpghttp://img376.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1350op4.jpghttp://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1351pd7.jpghttp://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1354tx5.jpgSo if I was to repalce the one closest to me do I just unscrew the nut- stick in the new tap and do up the nut?

As you can see the one with the hose - is it the same? I just updo the nut and replace with the new one? Do I need a washer (what type) on the underside of the bath between the bath and the nut? Or is it one of the compression types?

Thanks

[The Medway Handyman]

If you look at the first picture you will see two nuts, one on the end of the pipe which connects the pipe to the tap, and above it a nut (backnut) which holds the tap onto the bath. It will be the same on both the rigid copper pipe & the flexible. The latter is simply more convenient, but more expensive than the former.

Turn the water off! Hot & cold.

Undo the nuts connecting the pipes to the taps. Then undo the backnuts holding the taps to the bath. Temporarily disconnecting the overflow pipe will make it easier, don't forget to put it back.

The taps can now be lifted free. Insert the new tap with a rubber washer between it & the bath, Do up the backnuts so the taps don't twist or move. Some taps (not many IME) have a washer between the backnut & bath, in which case a diagram should be included showing which one goes where.

Now attach the supply pipes. The flexible should have a captive rubber washer, the rigid pipe should have a fibre washer (usually red) - make sure both are OK. 99% of the time the height of the rigid pipe will be just right for the depth of the tap thread. With the flaxible it obviously doesn't matter.

Check every joint, turn water back on, check carefully for any drips.