Basic problems from an inexperienced new plumber - advice needed

[smudger]

Hi guys. Just fitted a bathroom (refit old one unfortunately) and I'm having a copuple of problems.
The bath is very close to floor with steel legs & no adjustment possible. It is an internal soil so I think I need a minimum of 50mm trap. The problem is that when I use a 50mm trap the seal level is above the plug level so bath does not drain. A shallow trap only gives 19mm so not right. Also it has old copper (28mm) overflow so struggled to get fitting. Overcame by lifting bath and making fitting from several traps. Now works really well but bath is now about 600mm. Concerned that customer may have problems when wants to get new bath. What would you guys have done?
Also, I have built a case and fitted concealed cistern, all fine. But I am struggling to get a watertight seal where the pipe comes out of the base of cistern. I think its that the rubber washer doesn't fully seal between pipe and siphon base. Its as tight as I can get it by hand but worried I might thread it if I get a wrench on it. I sure this is something that comes with experience (hence why I really wanted to work for someone for a couple of years!!) Any advice would really help, as I can't box in cistern until 100% its watertight.

 

[Avatar]

A bit of a bugger to seal that cistern pipe sometimes. Take apart and make sure the rubber olive is seated correctly.

With old ones I have even used silicon and lsx to seal, as they are a constant problem. Try ptfe tape under the rubber olive. If it still leaks then maybe silcon or lsx is the way to go. Make sure to use a decent amount though . . .

 

[Hybrid]

PTFE on rubber washer on flush pipe, nip it up with footprints.

Also I hear what you're saying about the shallow trap but I've seen plenty fitted with no siphonage problems. The only alternative is cut through the floor to accept the depth of trap or a hepVo valve.

I decline to fit old bathroom suites. Far, far too much trouble and it sents alarm bells ringing, if the custard is too tight to buy a new suite they're going to be a pain to stump up.

 

[smudger]

Great advice, I'm certain the problem is the rubber washer is not quite seating. I gave it another tweak today, I think it's done it but I check if its dripped overnight. If so I'll bung some PTFE on it. In future I'll have to be much more assertive about not re-using old stuff. It's added about a day's labour trying to sort out hassles caused by trying to save the guy some money (wouldn't mind but on a price). I'm just too soft really! It's all good learning though, what is it they say.."What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!"
Thanks for the support guys, really appreciated.

 

[Avatar]

Never resue old components - insist on it.

Tell them that it will cost them more if the old fitting leaks

old fitting will always cause you grief - particually if you reuse washers, olives and the like . . .

 

[Avatar]

I think the term is: 'What doesn't kill us, makes us ****ed off!"

 

[smudger]

lol, I think I prefer your version!!

 

[stevetheplumber]

best thing for dodgy flush seals is plumbers mait just roll a sausage of it and wrap it round and mould it into the fins works every time
i find silicon whilst still wet acts as a lube and allows the bung to pop out if you have to use silicon its best to silicon the bung into the pan and leave to set for 24hours then insert pipe

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Hi guys. Just fitted a bathroom (refit old one unfortunately) and I'm having a copuple of problems.
The bath is very close to floor with steel legs & no adjustment possible. It is an internal soil so I think I need a minimum of 50mm trap. The problem is that when I use a 50mm trap the seal level is above the plug level so bath does not drain. A shallow trap only gives 19mm so not right. Also it has old copper (28mm) overflow so struggled to get fitting. Overcame by lifting bath and making fitting from several traps. Now works really well but bath is now about 600mm. Concerned that customer may have problems when wants to get new bath. What would you guys have done?
Also, I have built a case and fitted concealed cistern, all fine. But I am struggling to get a watertight seal where the pipe comes out of the base of cistern. I think its that the rubber washer doesn't fully seal between pipe and siphon base. Its as tight as I can get it by hand but worried I might thread it if I get a wrench on it. I sure this is something that comes with experience (hence why I really wanted to work for someone for a couple of years!!) Any advice would really help, as I can't box in cistern until 100% its watertight.

just a bit confused mate,why did you use the 28mm overflow they are part of the combined waste and overflow

 

[smudger]

Maybe my inexperience Gasman but it's not a combined waste. It's an old steel bath with separate overflow (length of 28mm copper sticking out of back of bath). Anyway found a solution that works and customer is happy with it. Its in now and much too late change. Thanks for the response though. Always appreciated.