fibre versus rubber washer

[alexp78]

I only had some 3/4 inch rubber washers to replace the indented fibre washers in leaking basin tap flexi connectors. Is there a problem with this or should fibre washers be used?

 

[Bob Croft]

Most flexi hoses now seem to use rubber washers. Personally I prefer rubber because I think they give a better seal provided you do crush them to death with excessive tightening. Fibre washers can sometimes leak slightly when new but eventually form a seal as they swell when wet.

 

[Winston]

i have recently had a few problems with fibre washers ie not the exact correct size I generally put them in my mouth prior to fitting dont know if that has got anything to do with it.

 

[MarkB]

i have recently had a few problems with fibre washers ie not the exact correct size I generally put them in my mouth prior to fitting dont know if that has got anything to do with it.

I'm not sure about putting them in your mouth but I do pre-soak them before fitting as them tend to stay put and seal up faster.

 

[traineedrip]

i think we need a wip round to get winston some sarnis!

Ive had no problems with fibre washers. main thing is not using ptfe etc or anything that prevents screwing tight onto the washer.

 

[helpsy]

Times must be hard if you're eating your washers(or is it the missus,can't cook won't cook).
Do you have 1/2" for elevenses and 3/4" for lunch
LOL

 

[traineedrip]

Times must be hard if you're eating your washers(or is it the missus,can't cook won't cook).
Do you have 1/2" for elevenses and 3/4" for lunch
LOL

Im worried about the trail of leaking loos behind him all missing their doughnuts lol

 

[Winston]

LOL the wifes a good cook, what I meant was I put them in my mouth prior to putting them in place to make them swell up. LOL

 

[alexp78]

Well there's no leak. One on hot tap the other on mains pressure cold. I put two in each side as they were thinner than the fibre ones coming out.

So no-one reckons that rubber is bad?

 

[REDSAW]

LOL the wifes a good cook, what I meant was I put them in my mouth prior to putting them in place to make them swell up. LOL

i employ my missus for that winston..

 

[stevetheplumber]

i employ my missus for that winston..

whats the difference between an erect ***** and a bonus ??
my wife can blow a bonus

 

[traineedrip]

Well there's no leak. One on hot tap the other on mains pressure cold. I put two in each side as they were thinner than the fibre ones coming out.

So no-one reckons that rubber is bad?

The only issue i can think of is that when your tightening up you may tear into a thin rubber washer whereas the fibre washer wont buckle or tear.

If its not leaking you must have done it right

 

[Bernie2]

Part of the idea of fiber washers, I think, is that they are intended to swell up after you have tightened them in place and the system water gets on them.

I have never heard of people soaking them before putting them on.

There seems to be two types of 1/2" fiber washer, one center hole appears to be slightly bigger than another's. I think its the dark red one that has the largest hole.

I don't like rubber washers myself as they seem far to easy to cut up.

 

[Mackattak]

Use some silicon grease on the fiber washers before you install them, this creates a good seal and no need to over tighten them. I find over tightening the rubber washers will cause them to split.

 

[Plouasne]

Personally speaking I prefer the "Klingerite" (sp) washer if its for water, for gas its got to be a graphited washer or a rubber washer, depending on what the gas is, natural or LPG