Calling PH plumbers....
Discussion
The basin monobloc mixer tap in the guest bathroom has leaked from both the hot and cold feeds and soaked the floor and ceiling below.
The plumber who removed the tap and isolated the pipes said there should have been isolating valves in the feeds so the taps could have been shut off without affecting the rest of the house - is that a requirement in a house built in 2005?
Also he reckoned he'd replaced three identical taps in the last two weeks for the same reason. It's a Pegler Opal and it looks as though the leaks have been through the flexi-pipes or from the joints above them. Is it the lemon of the tap world or am I just unlucky?
Coincidentally I visited a neighbouring house a while back which had an almost identical wet patch in the hall ceiling - faulty taps, poor installation or a combination of both perhaps?
The plumber who removed the tap and isolated the pipes said there should have been isolating valves in the feeds so the taps could have been shut off without affecting the rest of the house - is that a requirement in a house built in 2005?
Also he reckoned he'd replaced three identical taps in the last two weeks for the same reason. It's a Pegler Opal and it looks as though the leaks have been through the flexi-pipes or from the joints above them. Is it the lemon of the tap world or am I just unlucky?
Coincidentally I visited a neighbouring house a while back which had an almost identical wet patch in the hall ceiling - faulty taps, poor installation or a combination of both perhaps?
As mentioned it's not a requirement.
I'd make a couple of points...
One is that flexi-hose are a bad idea on taps, or pretty much anything else in plumbing. I keep telling people this, but sadly it doesn't really sink in.
Second is that although isolating valves ARE a good idea, the screwdriver slot type (sometimes called ballofix, but that's a trade name) seldom remain servicable for very long and once closed and opened a couple of times tend to leak fron the 'o'-ring around the screw-slot. They also restrict 15mm pipe which is a bad idea when ill-informed buyers are advised by uncaring bathroom showroom staff to buy high pressure taps for low pressure installations.
Full flow isolators are best with a lever and proper PTFE gland.... sadly they are also ugly and cumbersome, so best just to let people turn water off at source and damn the few hours of inconvienience...
I'd make a couple of points...
One is that flexi-hose are a bad idea on taps, or pretty much anything else in plumbing. I keep telling people this, but sadly it doesn't really sink in.
Second is that although isolating valves ARE a good idea, the screwdriver slot type (sometimes called ballofix, but that's a trade name) seldom remain servicable for very long and once closed and opened a couple of times tend to leak fron the 'o'-ring around the screw-slot. They also restrict 15mm pipe which is a bad idea when ill-informed buyers are advised by uncaring bathroom showroom staff to buy high pressure taps for low pressure installations.
Full flow isolators are best with a lever and proper PTFE gland.... sadly they are also ugly and cumbersome, so best just to let people turn water off at source and damn the few hours of inconvienience...
Ferg said:
One is that flexi-hose are a bad idea on taps... They also restrict 15mm pipe which is a bad idea when ill-informed buyers are advised by uncaring bathroom showroom staff to buy high pressure taps for low pressure installations.
My house is gravity-fed and I made a judgement when fitting a rather nice Abode tap needing 0.3-0.4 bar. It works well enough, but it's a good job I didn't fit the flexi-tails that came with it as they have teeny-weeny isolating valves in which would have knackered the flow to a dribble!(if anyone with a high pressure system wants a pair of tails with valves, let me know)
They will blow out one day (the rubber stretches underneath the braiding and when they let go they rip the braid apart)flooding the house if you are not around.
miniman said:
Ferg said:
One is that flexi-hose are a bad idea on taps, or pretty much anything else in plumbing. I keep telling people this, but sadly it doesn't really sink in.
Why's that then Ferg?moles said:
They will be worse if installed with a kink in them but even when installed with no bends the rubber tends to perish over time and eventually they let go......big time!.
Oh great. I've got two sets of braided hoses on a couple of pumps that drive showers. Whats the half life of these things?TimJMS said:
Oh great. I've got two sets of braided hoses on a couple of pumps that drive showers. Whats the half life of these things?
Just got in from watching Spurs in the pub and everyone had concurred with my opinion of braided hoses... LOL!Are they straight on the pump?? So long as they are then I wouldn't worry. The ones they supply with pumps are much better quality, but they do suffer if bent at all. They are flexible to avoid vibration issues, NOT to make the plumbing easier....
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff