wd40 and taps (and worried customer)

[Jennie]

Hiya,
I used WD40 on the packing gland of a stop tap the other day (to help free it up - which it did). My customer was concerned the WD40 could work its way through the tap and into her drinking water.
I tried to explain that WD40 is routinely used to unstick taps, and is fine on tap exteriors, and unlikely to work its way through to the water supply. She was still worried though.
How would you explain it to her better?
Thanks,
Jennie

 

[lame plumber]

use silicone spray/grease to save the hassle, wd will leave traces of oil she can see, to worry her and unless you use a grease anyhow, its gonna sieze again in short shrift

 

[Simon F]

If the WD40 was able to get into the water then the water would be able to get into the WD40 and therefore still be leaking.
Since the water is under pressure and not the other way around she has nothing to worry about.
Even a small amount if it did mix somehow, would be so diluted that it would be undetectable anyway

 

[Dannypipe]

Some people really do worry about nothing!


If by some miracle it did find its way into the water supply, can you imagine how diluted it would be?

 

[REDSAW]

tell her the bill for not and for with wd40,

 

[Mike Jackson]

Technically you shouldn't be using WD40 on a water fitting as it's not WRAS approved.

 

[Best]

Tell her that it is good for arthritis!

 

[Dannypipe]

WD 40 harldy ever works on anything anyway. Most of the time, it makes very little difference.

 

[jase158]

I usually get told to put it on!! Give her an estimate for new taps, make money from your advice, otherwise she will ring you in 2 weeks telling you she is ill from the wd40.

 

[lame plumber]

wd 40 dont work on hot and seized fans either, just scares the custard with all the smelly smoke (and flames!)

 

[tamz]

Jennie used the wd40 on an old stopcock to help free it so she could turn it. Nothing contravening any wras regulations.
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/valves-taps/62376-really-old-stop-tap.html#post579275

It is useless as a long term lubricant but does help free things off.
Tell your customer there is no reason to worry. It is about as harmless as baby oil and it is impossible for it to get through the body of the tap.
The customer should be a bit more worried about the lead levels in her water supply from the old lead pipes.

 

[helpsy]

I believe WD40 is made with materials from fish and they live in water....so what's the problem !

 

[Dannypipe]

I thought it was mainly fish oil too but apparently that's not true.

 

[Dannypipe]

Oh and according to a customer of mine who runs a pub which is supplied by a lead main. When he enquired to the water board about having it changed they told him: the inside of the lead will be coated with a protective layer of line scale now so there is nothing to worry about. I personally don't think there is a massive problem with a lead main but would prefer to not have one serving my own home. After all there is lead in most brassware fittings (like your kitchen taps for instance). I do agree with Tamz. It's more worrying than a bit of wd 40.

 

[Dannypipe]

Lime scale. Not line. (On the phone).

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

yep the masses of lead piping and lead it taps an solder is more of a worry. The regs are slowly catching up but taps can still be high in lead content so that would be more of a worry. I agree that WD40 is good for short term but i would always use silicon grease as it is much more suited to the job

 

[Jennie]

I mentioned it to my tutor today. He highly recommends using butter. (I thought he was joking at first, but he seemed quite serious about it).

 

[Best]

I mentioned it to my tutor today. He highly recommends using butter. (I thought he was joking at first, but he seemed quite serious about it).

He's got to be joking!
Can't see anything wrong with using silicone grease or Vaseline. Necks in sink mixers etc come brand new with silicone grease in them.

 

[tamz]

Well i've heard of butter being used as a lubricant but never on taps!
Tallow would be a better natural lubricant as it doesn't wash away with water much the same as silicone grease. Its a while since i've seen or used a bit tallow (it was used as a flux for wiped joints on lead) but you can still buy it.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I would say butter should never be used as it is likely to become a breeding ground for bacteria. Has your tutor heard of the water regulations?

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

does he also recommend jam as an adhesive? Please do not use butter on taps or any part of plumbing for that matter

 

[Dannypipe]

Now, Lard. You can smear lard on everything....LOL.

 

[Dannypipe]

PS - Toolstation sell Tallow. At least you can eat some if you forgot your lunch!

 

[Dotty]

Now, Lard. You can smear lard on everything....LOL.

Unless it's Mark and Lard in which case you know a great music sesh is about to kick off....

 

[Ray Stafford]

Its a while since i've seen or used a bit tallow ... but you can still buy it.

Yes you can.

We sold 1 (ONE - count 'em) tub in 2013.

Thats the same as the 1 tub that we sold in 2012

Down from the bonus-busting 9 tubs in 2011.