Tap connector fibre washers.

[BN9Pete]

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 fibre washers, I checked and double checked the tap connectors for leaks and everything was fine, but a few days later the customer had a leak from one of the tap connectors, the fibre washer looked fine when I went back.

Can anyone recommend a decent fibre washer or what do you do in this situation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[townfanjon]

I get well naft off with fibre washers , wherever possible I use Speedfit tap connectors every time

 

[BN9Pete]

I get well naft off with fibre washers , wherever possible I use Speedfit tap connectors every time

If I'm fitting a new bathroom or a basin I use Speedfit tap connectors, the washers are brilliant in them, I even change the pipe work on some tap change jobs, but with some jobs it's hard to change the pipes and use Speedfit tap cons.

 

[stevetheplumber]

only way to get good red wqashers is with good fittings yorkshire or conex/prestex

 

[Chalked]

Argh! Bloody speed fit tap connectors!
twinned with plastic backnuts. Recipe for spinning taps.

i find Yorkshire tap con washers are fine.

 

[BN9Pete]

only way to get good red wqashers is with good fittings yorkshire or conex/prestex

Steve if you were changing taps connected to existing tap cons would you take a new red fibre washer out of a new tap con to use?

Have you ever ordered decent fibre washers ( York/ Conex/Prestex ) as spares from a merchants?

 

[BN9Pete]

Argh! Bloody speed fit tap connectors!
twinned with plastic backnuts. Recipe for spinning taps.

i find Yorkshire tap con washers are fine.

I use brass back nuts if there is a chance of a spinning tap.

 

[Paulplumb]

I can help you out here buddy. The best 1/2" fibre washers available are from poofix of all places. Nice thick quality fibre washers. Everyone else sells proxy thin things I would not dare try and fit.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Genuine prestex washers sold loose

 

[BN9Pete]

Genuine prestex washers sold loose

Can this type of washer be ordered from your Brighton branch?

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

If you use a jointing compound like jet blue plus it should be fine, the only time I've had an issue is when they are made in dry.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Can this type of washer be ordered from your Brighton branch?

They have them in stock, but you may need to talk to one of the more experienced staff. We also carry a 1/2" fibre washer in a plastic pre-pack bag. They are cheaper, sell way faster, but are thinner.

The prestex ones come in a little brown cardboard box.

 

[BN9Pete]

They have them in stock, but you may need to talk to one of the more experienced staff. We also carry a 1/2" fibre washer in a plastic pre-pack bag. They are cheaper, sell way faster, but are thinner.

The prestex ones come in a little brown cardboard box.

Thankyou Ray I will give them a ring.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Thankyou Ray I will give them a ring.

Tell them you are after part code WFIB1

Its one of the oldest codes on our system - going right back to the 1980s when we first computerised!

 

[village idiot]

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.

I don't even look at the old washers. I change them regardless of their condition.
BTW, not only does Ray's outfit sell good quality washers seperately, they also sell olives seperately and it works out cheaper than if you bought a pack of 10/20?
I asked for a pack of olives at the Beddington Branch but they encouraged me to buy them seperately, saying it will work out cheaper and I must not tell Ray they said that????

 

[Neil K]

Stick a bit of gunk on them, I always do with fibre washers. Boss white, jet blue whatever

 

[stevetheplumber]

They have them in stock, but you may need to talk to one of the more experienced staff. We also carry a 1/2" fibre washer in a plastic pre-pack bag. They are cheaper, sell way faster, but are thinner.

The prestex ones come in a little brown cardboard box.

the way all good fittings used to come

 

[Best]

I am going to be different & suggest the option of using the "rubber" flat washers that come in packets & are for plastic tap fittings (I think Hep). If they fit the tap connector perfectly, then they should be a great seal & also ideal for tightening up to plastic ball valve tails.

 

[plumben]

Ive got some of the screwfix ones there alright, but i tend to pick up spares whenever I can from different merchants and stash em all in my sortmaster

 

[Mike Jackson]

I use nylon ones. You can wind the connector up a lot tighter without them splitting.

 

[AWheating]

i think its somewhat as much to do with the poor quality of the tap/ valve end alot of the time. Some of these cheap plastic cistern valves have such poor threads and surface ends you have to balak them too tight.

 

[BN9Pete]

I am going to be different & suggest the option of using the "rubber" flat washers that come in packets & are for plastic tap fittings (I think Hep). If they fit the tap connector perfectly, then they should be a great seal & also ideal for tightening up to plastic ball valve tails.

I had a few spare Speedfit rubber tap connector washers and they fitted end feed tap cons perfectly, but the merchants in my town don't seem to be able to order them separately from Speedfit.

I have some spare Polyplumb or Hep rubber tap con washers but they are too big for some end feed tap cons.

 

[BN9Pete]

I use nylon ones. You can wind the connector up a lot tighter without them splitting.

Thanks Mike, I did wonder about the nylon type as the service valves from Screwfix have a decent nylon washer, my local merchants don't sell nylon washers though.