1/4 turn verses 'washer' tap

[Jennie]

Hi all,
My customer is after a new kitchen tap.
She was a bit perturbed that her current 1/4 turn monobloc tap has died - it was quite old, and I didn't rate my chances of finding a replacement cartridge. It was also leaking in two places at the collar on the spout.
How would you all advise her on the pros and cons of 1/4 turn and washer taps?
Thanks for all your advice,
Jennie

 

[village idiot]

I will replace with similar.
especially for the elderly, no need them taking ages screwing down them washered taps

 

[townfanjon]

jennie, ceramic disc taps do not like massive mains pressure, the higher the pressure the quicker they will wear out. I always warn customers about this when fitting them. Personally I always go for the screw down type, they last loads longer.

 

[village idiot]

fair point, but for the elderly, I'll always fit 1/4 turns except they say they prefer taps with washers

 

[Roger Welton]

Old dears = lever taps, much better if they have arthritis

 

[jtsplumbing]

Bristan used to do a 1/4 turn with rubber washer, but I think they have took it off the market. give lots of problems in this area due to high pressure, and customer thinks you are trying it on when you recommend a PRV.

 

[glenno1]

You can buy decent 1/4 turn taps that will take pressure,in some catalogues it states that they are suitable for high pressure,believe screwfix do

 

[Ray Stafford]

Bristan used to do a 1/4 turn with rubber washer,

There were quite a few of these around at one point, and most of them were awful. I don't have specific knowledge of the Bristan one, but we tried a couple and then gave up on the whole design.

My recommend for older people who haven't necessarily reached the point where they want "disabled" taps, is a cruciform mixer.

Easy to operate, even if the fingers are getting a bit arthiritic.

 

[Best]

It's hard to know what is better, - 1/4 turn or standard washer kitchen taps.
Most people wanting a modern fancy kitchen will want 1/4 turn of some type & most elderly people with weak hands will also need & prefer 1/4 turn taps. I personally prefer them to use.
Most importantly try to find out what mixers are reasonable quality & decent flow for the particular water system.
Best to get 1/4 turn taps that you can source the ceramic works when needed.
A decent washer tap does usually last for years.

 

[Ray Stafford]

It's hard to know what is better, - 1/4 turn or standard washer kitchen taps.

The most solid solution is proper Pegler 159 HNP taps. More or less bulletproof, and you could probably reseat them every 5 - 10 years for your full 3 score years and ten. without running out of seat depth.

 

[Best]

The most solid solution is proper Pegler 159 HNP taps. More or less bulletproof, and you could probably reseat them every 5 - 10 years for your full 3 score years and ten. without running out of seat depth.

Those are a no nonsense good quality tap & with the old fashioned simple 'screw & packing' works.
I repaired a Peglers pair of pillar taps that are 20 plus years old & it shocked me how new they were, inside & out. Just needed washers.
I hope the Peglers taps are largely still British made? I think some of their modern taps are foreign made. Not all of them are good IMO.