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washers

A washer is a thin plate (typically disk-shaped, but sometimes square) with a hole (typically in the middle) that is normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a bolt or nut. Other uses are as a spacer, spring (Belleville washer, wave washer), wear pad, preload indicating device, locking device, and to reduce vibration (rubber washer).
Washers are usually metal or plastic. High-quality bolted joints require hardened steel washers to prevent the loss of pre-load due to brinelling after the torque is applied. Washers are also important for preventing galvanic corrosion, particularly by insulating steel screws from aluminium surfaces. They may also be used in rotating applications, as a bearing. A thrust washer is used when a rolling element bearing is not needed either from a cost-performance perspective or due to space restraints. Coatings can be used to reduce wear and friction, either by hardening the surface or by providing a solid lubricant (i.e. a self-lubricating surface).
The origin of the word is unknown; the first recorded use of the word was in 1346, however, the first time its definition was recorded was in 1611.Rubber or fiber gaskets used in taps (or faucets, or valves) as seal against water leaks are sometimes referred to colloquially as washers; but, while they may look similar, washers and gaskets are usually designed for different functions and made differently.

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  1. J

    Tap washers - new ones a tight fit

    Hi all, Just a general question. I have a steady stream of customers with leaky taps. Some taps have been a right pain to re-washer - old washer comes off OK, but new washer is incredibly tight to fit. The one I'm thinking of was an old basin tap, with a rim around the washer and a little screw...
  2. M

    Antique taps - are there washers out there for these?

    Hello all, I'm a tenant in a property and we have some antique taps that are shut off, because they leak quite badly. The plumbers who visited said it wasn't possible to get new washers to fix them, and a whole new unit would be needed, which the landlord isn't prepared to accommodate. Could...
  3. M

    Type B drain valve washer

    Hi, Does anyone know where I can get a supply of replacement washers for Type B drain valves? I have asked in all my local merchants and no one has them, they are much smaller than the type A and I seem to be finding a lot that leak.
  4. J

    How to replace a shuttle diverted

    Hi, I have an old antique looking bath mixer with shower head attached. The washers on the cam and shuttle diverter need replacing but I can't see how to get the shuttle out. The spout and the joint for the shower both don't seem to have an obvious thread to be able to unscrew them so I am...
  5. W

    Screwfix: 1/2" Fibre washers 20 - 0.55p - Discontinued

    1/2" Fibre washers 5 - 0.99p - In Stock Yayyyyy
  6. P

    Fibre Washers question

    I know it might be a simple question but is there a difference between fibre washers for water and gas, As most of the washers that come with water fittings are red and the ones that come with gas are usually yellow/green is there a difference?
  7. Inverness

    flexi hoses with rubber washers cause legionella to form

    have you guys heard of the flexi hoses are being removed from all council houses in scotland due to the material that the washer is made from and some of the fibre washers too. it has been proved by scientists and tested by wras that the rubber washers and the fibre washers from a close up view...
  8. M

    cistern bottom fill valve no longer sealing - B3300-M

    I've seen a number of similar threads related to my problem...so it may be a known common issue...anyway, after a year of perfect use, the fill valve (WDI B3300-M-) in my cistern is no longer fully stopping the water inlet when the float lifts...the valve appears to work and the inlet water is...
    • mockers
    • Thread
    • attach bottom cistern fill valve longer replacement sealing valve washers water
    • Replies: 9
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  9. R

    Leaking tap connector callout

    Just had a call out to sort a leak under a washbasin. 1/2" tap connector (fibre) had almost split - replaced and all seems well. All copper - no flexis, and tap was fixed to basin correctly.:santa3: But for the life of me, I cannot understand WHY the tap connector had decided to split. It...
  10. D

    Lumbered with a combi pump!

    Hello all. ok so I've messed up. Got called to repair a Vaillant EcoMax 613/2E. After careful electrical analysis, looking at the manual and a fair bit of common sense. I decided to replace the pump. the pump cost me £130.00! Anyway I fitted it for all of 5mins and guess what, the fault...
  11. A

    Silicone grease, washers, o-rings

    Wondering if anyone has preferences on these things, or any good links for suppliers. Always something i mean to keep stocked up on. Plumbcenter want £6 for a small tube of grease! And they only sell packs of a few fibre washers. Do o-rings do from boiler to boiler, or is it best to get these...
  12. A

    Heat proof/insulating washers

    I have a very heavy gauge aluminium Indian wok (Karahi) that I like to use, trouble is so the handles and rivets are also aluminium so thought I'd re-rivet the handles but add an insulator of sorts to stop getting branded. I rather not use nylon or PTFE but hoping you fellas might come up with...
  13. A

    Water Hammer - Upstairs water pressure faster than downstairs

    Hi,I changed the washers in my upstairs bathroom sink taps a couple of weeks ago and ever since I have been unable to use both taps (hot and cold) in the bathroom as there is a terrible hammer vibration/ shake coming from both whenever they are turned on.It is only affecting this one set of taps...
    • Arctic
    • Thread
    • color downstairs hammer pressure upstairs washers water water hammer water pressure
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  14. P

    Rubber washers for smeg cooker

    Simple question smeg supply rubber washers for cooker gas connection always used fibre any objections to rubber ?
  15. K

    Replacing Washers in Bathroom taps that DO NOT HAVE a Top of tape screw cover.

    Have changed many a washer in most taps but am stuck with this one as the Cold Tap in the bathroom leaks and unable (so far) to remove the handle/covers to get to the spindle that requires a new washer. I am thinking that the actual tap washer is OK but the small washers on the spindle are...
    • Ken Blackwell
    • Thread
    • bathroom cover handle replacing required screw tap taps washer washers
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board
  16. T

    Odd sized (metric?) washers - please help me find a source of replacements...

    Hi, I'm hoping that someone here can help. We have a couple of bathrooms with Roca taps etc. I've put some photos in an imageshack folder which you can look at here: https://imageshack.com/a/DgJz/1 As you'll see, I need some replacement washers, 20mm dia (in the photos they look larger...
  17. S

    Toronto simplifit tap washers

    Hello, Can anyone help find the right washers for my kitchen tap. I have a 'Toronto monobloc tap' It has started to drip and I took the spout off to replace the washers but I cant find the right washers. O rings seem to be too fat and make it difficult to swivel the tap after fitting. Is...
  18. C

    ch pump washers and changing

    went to a customers house now to fix radiators not working, the pump was gone, very old blue pump with 2 Philip screws on the face of it, capacitor held on with insulating tape, told him that id go to the van to look if I had a pump. so I had a look, I had a grundfoss pump but it was out of its...
  19. BN9Pete

    Tap connector fibre washers.

    When changing taps that are connected by an end feed or Yorkshire tap connector I always look to see if the fibre washer is ok, unless the washers looks as new I put in new fibre washers, but the washers sold in merchants always look thin. Last week I fitted some new basin taps and changed the...
  20. B

    vanity toilets

    hi most vanity toilets seem to come with a 2" to 11/2" flush pipe pulled a flush mechanism out of one last wk and fitted another make 2" flush valve to find the existing flush pipe 2" nut would not fit the new valve .ended up fitting an 11/2" fluidmaster with a red rubber and smaller flush pipe...
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