Any plumbers out there? if so may I pick your brains?

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:43 pm

simple question, I hope

Is there different qualities of tap washers?
If so, which is the best to go for?

Mine don't seem to last long (bought from a local hardware store) I have a oil fired combi boiler (hot is on mains pressure) the taps are Bristens of Birmingham 1901, and the washers are only lasting a year-ish the first one split and now the replacement is dripping (so is the wife!). I dont think the taps are needing reseated, but there again i'm no expert.

Cheers.
Donald

p.s. "so is the wife" is figuratively speaking

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:58 am

Looks like no plumbers on here!

Mark you they are no longer called plumbers, after all they no longer work with lead.
Even copperers is out of date, should we call them plasticers now?

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:48 am

heating engineers I think their called now pippin.....or was that last week....

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:02 am

Nah, fluid movement operatives now!

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:12 am

Getting back to the subject - I don't know if there are different grades of washer but, as the washer isn't lasting long,. suspect that the tap needs the seat re-cutting. You can get a tool from B&Q(or similar) for a few quid and it's usually an easy job - just don't overdo it.

twobikemike · Post by **twobikemike** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:28 pm

My youngest is an apprentice Heating Engineer/Plumber and is always being told by the others in the company - "When asked what your occupation is, always say Heating Engineer. You don't want everyone to think you spend all day upto your elbows in other peoples s**t".
Hence, no more plumbers.

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:08 pm

There are different grades and the older taps used to have hard washers that look like thick cardboard. The rubber type are compatable but you get better ones from the trade places. The seats may well need a bit of attention but there might be a simpler solution. When you put new ones in just be gentle with the tap. It only needs a slight twist to turn it off - just enough to not drip. The fairer half in particular tend to heave until they have wrung the life out of the tap.

By the way I love Brora, and particularly Dornoch. Golspie is a bit iffy though (dodgy people there).

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:38 pm

smartmonkey wrote:
By the way I love Brora, and particularly Dornoch. Golspie is a bit iffy though (dodgy people there).

..........

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:58 pm

At last, got round to changing the tap washer. (two minute job

) I have, just for now used a standard tap washer I had lying about. Next time i'm near a plumbers merchant, I will seek out good ones (If they exhist).

I would say the old washer has past it's best!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:57 pm

Things to do on a wet Sunday eh brora? (you'll probably point out it was blazing sunshine up there now!)

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:39 pm

Not quite blazing

and with a little spit of rain. Nothing like what you lot down south are getting just now. Hope everyones ok.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:37 pm

Hurry up to Norfolk Mike - a lovely sunny day here

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:12 pm

Cant wait old son, cant wait. Got the coolant warning thingie fitted a treat so I can grin at it all the way over to you.

sirlarose · Post by **sirlarose** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:58 pm

Now I know why we have had so many floods. It's his darn tap dripping

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:41 pm