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

The Scientist · Post by **The Scientist** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:28 pm

Hi
I am a Plumber and Heating engineer (previously my career as a PhD (Cambridge) Scientist in cloning and Molecular Biology, but re-trained to see more of my children and less of the road and nasty bosses!).
The problem I am sure will return in the near future - I reckon the vlave seating needs grinding to a polished finish as any notches will just chew up any rubber washers no matter where they are bought from. The re-grinding tools are useful to have and only cost less than 10GBP.

Best of luck

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:15 am

cheers for that, I did notice that the seat is not flat. There is a raised ring of polised stainless steel? around the hole, which I don't think will grind out? and i was wondering if it is cutting through the washers. (a bad design?), Next time I do the washer i'll take a picture

boyfrombrasil · Post by **boyfrombrasil** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:41 pm

Next time the washers need replacing take the tap internals to the plumbers merchants with you....

Possibly looks like you are using the wrong size washers hence the pressure applied when closing the tap is on the edges resulting in the middle of the washer being pushed through as pressure applied. THe washer shape changes to a convex shape and cuts on the edges of the hole it is trying to block.

Reseating as suggested before is always a good idea.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:15 pm

Taking to the nearest merchant will be a 120 mile round trip, but still do-able. (any excuse for a run in the Bongo

)

johnb8840 · Post by **johnb8840** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:23 am

Speaking as an old PLUMBER, by the state of those washers which I guess are from the hot tap and that you have a combi boiler, the problem is that the water temp is too high for rubber or neoprene washers. Your best bet is to change to ceramic tap seats, trouble is its an expensive option. I suppose you could turn down the boiler temp a bit.In the mean time , re- seat the taps, re-place the washer and ask the good lady of yours not to turn the tap off too hard, only untill they stop dripping.
Good luck,

John B

Tom Cruise · Post by **Tom Cruise** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:54 am

I have seen somewhere ceramic replacement washer units for old taps, but not sure where now.

I think I would go for replacing the taps for new ones with ceramic washers though.

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:32 am

If you are so far from the builders merchants then have them delvered to your door.

E-Bay Item 180146022585

or Ebay search on 'tap washer'

There are plenty of tap reseating tools from £3.99 search E-Bay on
'tap reseater'

Years ago you could obtain inserts that sat on the original worn seat and made a nice new flat one - seem to think they were a good quality semi hard plasic.

Now put an advert in the local shop and paper and you can make a lot of money charging exhorbitant prices to change tap washers or for even more recut the seat and fit a new washer.

Order your Rolls Royce now.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:32 pm

WOW spot on johnb8840 are you sure you were not a detective?

and thanks guys, I will keep an eye open for ceramic replacement washers on ebay!! plus a resetting tool .

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

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

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

Tap Washers