Dripping ceramic disk tap and changing a hard to reach trap?

[Illuminate]

Hello there, as a trainee plumber I have a couple of questions running through my head.

Being a plumber if i was to go to fix a customers dripping quarter turn tap, what would be the beat way to fix it? Should I change the tap mechanism? And how do I find the correct machanism? Are the plumbing stores usually able to locate a maching one? Or should I just repair the disk by removing limescale and adding lubricant? Or can I get a matching disk? And where would i buy a selection?

Also, if I were to have to change/unblock a hard to reach pedestal basin trap, am I able to unscrew the basin? And when I rescrew the basin back into the wall, can I screw it back into the same holes?

 

[Ric2013]

Hi Josh. I'm intrigued as to the exact background to your questions and would be interested in knowing more.

In the meantime, here is my personal opinion:

Being a plumber if i was to go to fix a customers dripping quarter turn tap, what would be the beat way to fix it? Should I change the tap mechanism? And how do I find the correct machanism? Are the plumbing stores usually able to locate a maching one? Or should I just repair the disk by removing limescale and adding lubricant? Or can I get a matching disk? And where would i buy a selection?

The important thing is dialogue with the customer. If it's a decent tap, you would replace the mechanism, otherwise you probably may as well change the tap. The customer may not want a new tap, but needs to be aware of costs. What does the customer want to spend and how much time can you give them for that? There are a few variables (height, spline numbers, length of spindle being the most obvious) so easiest to take the old mechanism to a merchants and see if they have something that is a suitable match. You can buy kits (e.g. the Tapmedic kit) that will allow you to change the majority of quarter turn mechanisms on site. Kits aren't a cheap solution, but they allow you to do the job there and then without having to say to the customer 'I'll get back to you' and then lose their interest, and they save you time driving about and potentially wasting time.

Cleaning and re-greasing a quarter turn tap mechanism as preventative maintenance does seem to prolong its life significantly, but generally won't cure a drip. A drip tends to indicate worn discs: to regrind discs to the necessary tolerances would require highly specialised engineering. Try curing a leak in your own house by cleaning and regreasing if you like (it may work for a while), but don't try to cure a drip in a customer's house by cleaning and regreasing.

I'm not aware of anyone that supplies the discs as a separate item.

Also, if I were to have to change/unblock a hard to reach pedestal basin trap, am I able to unscrew the basin? And when I rescrew the basin back into the wall, can I screw it back into the same holes?

In this case, it would depend on the circumstances. There is normally silicone between the basin and the wall so removing the basin will entail a lot of cleaning up and refitting work. It normally would not be necessary to remove a basin to remove a trap, but I cannot say you'd never have to. Experience will teach you when it is easier to dismantle to get better access and when it is better to work around a difficult installation without dismantling.

 

[Illuminate]

Ric seriously can't thank you enough, really appreciate your answers. I should of clarified that I am a trainee plumber currently changing my career. I have done a city & guilds level 2 diploma at college and have been working two days a week with a bathroom fitter. I self-educate myself in my limited spare time (with three young kids) but I also have some thought of question rolling around my head keeping me awake but at least it is not the worry of potential leaking pipes yet as that responsibility is yet to come. Some questions that I have I will ask my boss but as I have so many all the time I don't want to stress him out. You have given me some great knowledge. If I have a fixture or sanitary appliance drilled in to a wall through appreciate wall plug would I be able to unscrew and the rescrew back into the same wall plug using a appropriate but bigger screw?

Many thanks again

 

[snowhead]

Another thing to remember, often forgotten by people, is if there is an overflow, be it sink, WC, or CWS Tank, test the overflow by overfilling whatever it's on.

 

[Ric2013]

If I have a fixture or sanitary appliance drilled in to a wall through appreciate wall plug would I be able to unscrew and the rescrew back into the same wall plug using a appropriate but bigger screw?

Why would you use a bigger screw? Not sure I get you here.

If you make at least some effort to 'find the thread' that the existing screw has cut in the existing wall plug, you should be able to reuse the same plug and same screw. If you change the screw, I would generally also change the plug, but if it feels like the plug is going to work for re-use, then most likely it is. You'll realise there are times when, in a soft wall, it's better not to pull plugs out if the old one is fine.

Be aware that some screws, especially those supplied with showers have threads that are not sharp and, while they work in timber, tend to slip out of plugs and that the plugs supplied with anything often aren't worth using.

Always carry a good selection of decent screws and plugs and then you will not be caught out. Use decent plugs: Rawplug, Fischer, etc, not the cheap ones that can be too hard a plastic to grip within the hole. Be prepared that cavity fixings may well fall down into the cavity when you remove the screw, so try to carry spares.

 

[WC1]

Hello there, as a trainee plumber I have a couple of questions running through my head.

Hi Josh, these are exactly the type of questions your trainer should be happy to answer. Good luck in your training. 👍