Replacing basin taps.

[Andrew Parkes]

Hi I've got a couple of Basin taps to replace, once again they are old 1970's taps. I've never replaced basin taps before. I've got a basin wrench, I'm presuming you undo the holding nut, then undo the nut from the pipe to the tap thread. Then take the tap out, do I have to put anything on the thread(pdf tape?) in case of any leaks? Then do everything in reverse, will the new basin tap thread be the same as the old one? Thanks

 

[SimonG]

Watch out for the plumbers mait that sets rock solid.

Perseverance is the key word.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Yes, half inch thread on basin taps. If you have copper tap connectors, change the half inch fibre washer inside them. Turn the mains off and make sure the water is drained down unless there is isolation valves on the pipework. Undo the 1/2” nut first then the tap back but. I would use a tap but box spanner not a ducks foot (I do not like them)

 

[Harvest Fields]

Watch out for the plumbers mait that sets rock solid.

Perseverance is the key word.

I love changing taps. Gives me a challenge

 

[Andrew Parkes]

Thanks, I suppose I won't know about the washer until I take the taps off?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Thanks, I suppose I won't know about the washer until I take the taps off?

Change them anyway (they are pennies compared to a leak)

 

[Andrew Parkes]

Silly question but where do I get them from? Thanks Andrew

 

[Harvest Fields]

Silly question but where do I get them from? Thanks Andrew

Plumb centre/City Plumbing/Hardware store

 

[Best]

The taps might just have a nut and olive onto the pipe as the connection.
That would hopefully just need a smear of paste and tighten to new taps.
You will know if you have just the compression connection as you will just see pipe into the nut, whereas a tap fitting will be obvious as a soldered fitting.
Note that some new taps are made to suit a tap fitting, as not tapered where olive goes

 

[Welder]

Watch out for the plumbers mait that sets rock solid.

Really? I thought that was the old putty they used. Understood PM's composition made it impossible to set...

 

[SimonG]

Really? I thought that was the old putty they used. Understood PM's composition made it impossible to set...

I'll take your word for it, it still can be a right Thomas Watt. Do all the hard work underneath to find the tap still won't budge.

 

[Welder]

I'll take your word for it, it still can be a right Thomas Watt. Do all the hard work underneath to find the tap still won't budge.

Agree entirely. I've had to drill putty out before

 

[SimonG]

Had a few where I've angle ground the tap spout off, then the tap top before carefully cutting the remains into quarters before tapping them out gingerly with hammer and screwdriver.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Beware! sometimes the new tap tails (threaded part) are shorter than the old and if the copper feeds are really rigid you can't 'stretch' them enough to reach the new tap (so near yet so far ). End up cutting back the 1/2" copper feeds and extending just for that extra 10-15mm......

 

[Harvest Fields]

Been there mate. Felt your pain.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

I'll take your word for it, it still can be a right Thomas Watt. Do all the hard work underneath to find the tap still won't budge.

Gotta be careful don't use too much force underneath, could crack the nostalgic basin and the m'lady is not pleased - to say the least

Had a few where I've angle ground the tap spout off, then the tap top before carefully cutting the remains into quarters before tapping them out gingerly with hammer and screwdriver.

LIKE

 

[SimonG]

Beware! sometimes the new tap tails (threaded part) are shorter than the old and if the copper feeds are really rigid you can't 'stretch' them enough to reach the new tap (so near yet so far ). End up cutting back the 1/2" copper feeds and extending just for that extra 10-15mm....

I always cut back and stick iso's on. Means I can get the water back on asap and get a cuppa tea.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

I always cut back and stick iso's on. Means I can get the water back on asap and get a cuppa tea.

with milk no sugar, quite strong

 

[Jim Goodenough]

I always cut back and stick iso's on. Means I can get the water back on asap and get a cuppa tea.

you mean you use them 70p things as well???

 

[Harvest Fields]

Milky 2 thanks

 

[Best]

Beware! sometimes the new tap tails (threaded part) are shorter than the old and if the copper feeds are really rigid you can't 'stretch' them enough to reach the new tap (so near yet so far ). End up cutting back the 1/2" copper feeds and extending just for that extra 10-15mm....

Yes, that is with old taps from before about 1970, which had longer tails.

 

[SimonG]

Milk, one sugar and how it comes.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Yes, that is with old taps from before about 1970, which had longer tails.

Really I was only 4 then.... apparently I turned up at my aunties along the road, knocked on the door with a screwdriver in hand and lisped "I've come to put central heating in" What a kid!

 

[Welder]

Milk, one sugar and how it comes.

Proper coffee - so you can stand the spoon up! Tea's for wimps

 

[Andrew Parkes]

So it might not be a straight swap, suppose I'll only find once I've taken the old tap off? Will there be a washer and a olive on the tap tails? What happens if I can't remove the olive? Thanks Andrew