Old bath taps

[Mary Fisher]

Our original bath - 1930s - has taps which fit into the straight end of the cast iron, the pipes go behind it of course.

The taps are brass and chromium plated although the chrome is wearing. That's not a problem.

Recently the taps are showing signs of internal wear in that they don't turn off fully. Spouse has replaced jumpers and washers and everything else but any running repairs only seems to last for a few weeks. My increasingly arthritic hands already find it difficult to deal with turning the taps.

I'd like to replace the taps - with identical ones. I've been told that such taps are now illegal because in theory (although it would be impossible unless the overflow were blocked) bath water could go up the taps and into the supply. They are therefore not available. Is this right?

I don't want mixer taps, I don't want taps which come from the 'wall' at the end of the bath, I don't want taps which fit on the rim of the bath. I just want to replace the existing taps with something similar to the originals.

Has anyone any ideas, please?

Mary

[Set Square]

Don't know where to get new ones, but if new washers don't last long it sounds as if the seats are a bit dodgy. You can buy (or hire?) seat-cutting tools which just might give the existing taps a new lease of life.

[Not sure how spouse changing his jumper was supposed to help!]

[The Natural Philosopher]

Seat cutting has already been mentioned, other sources may include reclamation yards and Ebay.

[mike ring]

"Set Square" wrote in news:br5d25$29jofc$ [e-mail]:

In case that (or hire?) sounds a bit intimidating, I bought mine ages ago with several differnt size cutters and threads (for seating in tap body) for only a few quid - I can't recomember how much. but it was of the fiver area

mike r

[Mary Fisher]

I didn't see this post but thanks, Spouse has said something about doing that ...

That's interesting too. I'll tell him. although he might have some lurking in the dark recesses from his plumbing days :-)

Mary

[Owain]

"Mary Fisher" wrote | My increasingly arthritic hands already find it difficult to | deal with turning the taps.

Capstan tap turner from Arthritis Research Campaign

[BigWallop]

This any good ?

can also get tap refurbishing kits from the plumbers merchants or DIY stores, which consist of just the innards with a new head, but you don't have to use the head if you don't want to.

[Peter Taylor]

IHello Mary

The taps I think you mean are called Globe Taps. If you enter that in Google you'll find quite a choice available. This style from Bristan for instance:

I'd like to replace the taps - with identical ones. I've been told that such

Someone else might know more about this but I would assume they're OK, particularly if you don't have mains-fed taps. Surely they wouldn't sell them otherwise.

Peter

[Mary Fisher]

Thanks for that suggestion, Spouse is going to make a lever for me.

Has been for about three years ... :-)

Mary

[Mary Fisher]

. I

That might be useful, I'll loook into it.

Mary

[Mary Fisher]

I didn't think they did ...

The cold tap is mains-fed, the hot from the multipoint heater.

Thanks,

Mary

[Owain]

"Mary Fisher" wrote | "Owain" wrote | > | My increasingly arthritic hands already find it difficult to | > | deal with turning the taps. | > Capstan tap turner from Arthritis Research Campaign | >

| > | Thanks for that suggestion, Spouse is going to make a lever for me. | Has been for about three years ... :-)

I had a father like that.

Perhaps printing out several copies of the web page and leaving them around the house marked "Dear Santa" and "Ideal Stocking Filler" might have an effect?

Owain

[Clive Summerfield]

Hi Mary,

These any good?

[Mary Fisher]

They'd just get passed on to the house manager.

Guess who that is ...

Mary

[Mary Fisher]

A bit pricy but worth considering, thanks. I'll put it to him.

He does have a say on occasions. Trouble is, he'll probably think it's a slur on his manhood ... :-)

Perhaps I could put a pair in his stocking? Hmm.

Mary