Hi all,
ISTR from way back that these washers are supposed to be boiled in water for 10 mins before installing them or they may leak in service. Can anyone clarify if this is really necessary?
Ta.
Red fibre washers
Feb 02, 2018
12 Replies
Not heard of that, never done it, never had a leak.
I thought that you installed dry and just nipped up. When they get wet they (try to) expand and seal.
Never heard that before.
+1
Well yes, but they also need to be pressed while drying. The normal way is to use a long weight, which you can get, on request, from the stores.
And it's not just ordinary tap water, you need to ask for copious water.
Cheers
The only thing I can think of is perhaps it's a bodge if you have to re-use one in an emergency.
I have had good success winding PTFE tape as if it was string on tank connectors.
And some striped paint to finish the job.
+1
I have heard that they should be warmed for a while first to make them a bit more pliable, but not boiled in water, surely this negates the whole point of them expanding when wet? Brian
+2
I've just replaced one I fitted that did leak after a decent time (> 1 year) dry. It was on a brass threaded toilet cistern inlet. When I dismantled the joint about an 1/8th of the washer was missing and the next 1/8th was falling off. (It hadn't been boiled.)
I've just remembered what I was getting confused with: cork rocker cover gaskets. I don't suppose they exist any more, but back in the day, you had to boil these for 15 mins before fitting them. Such was the accepted wisdom of the day, anyway. Newer synthetic materials no doubt displaced cork many years ago. Showing my age here!
No, you dodt have to boil them.
You just fitted them.
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