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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 13:46:59 GMT
Oh dear - reviews of Bristan make their products look cheap and not-very-cheerful. Are there better makes?
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Post by Jim on Mar 9, 2019 13:55:31 GMT
Cheap taps are cheap taps. They will do the job. Ptfe tape acts as a thread sealant, there should be a rubber or fibre washer in there too. Tap spanners are your friend, have a 90deg bend to go up in that narrow gap. You can of course take the ceramic valve brass gubbins out, show it the man in the plumbers merchants and get a new one. Saves replacing the whole tap.
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 14:01:10 GMT
You can of course take the ceramic valve brass gubbins out. They ain't gonna come loose unless I put those taps in a vice with a 2-metre long bar and jump on it! That's why it will just be better/easier to replace the taps. The innards will probably come to the same price, anyway, and that's if you can find them (ie. like where?).
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Post by phil70 on Mar 9, 2019 14:07:23 GMT
Just a word of caution, make sure whatever taps you get are suitable for a low pressure system because if they are for a high pressure (think mains pressure) system they won't work. Phil
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Post by bargemast on Mar 9, 2019 14:07:27 GMT
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 14:27:04 GMT
Just a word of caution, make sure whatever taps you get are suitable for a low pressure system because if they are for a high pressure (think mains pressure) system they won't work. Phil Excellent point. So... where does one buy good quality taps for boats / camper vans?
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 14:31:01 GMT
Yes, but never having used one I feel more comfortable if the electrician (who already has such a wrench) does the job, rather than twist everything up myself. I wonder if that nut needs to be soaked in WD40 overnight before attempting to turn it? I suspect our whole water system pipework is brittle and frail, although I see no leaks (checked the water pump and shower bilge pump last week).
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Post by bargemast on Mar 9, 2019 14:40:23 GMT
Yes, but never having used one I feel more comfortable if the electrician (who already has such a wrench) does the job, rather than twist everything up myself. I wonder if that nut needs to be soaked in WD40 overnight before attempting to turn it? I suspect our whole water system pipework is brittle and frail, although I see no leaks (checked the water pump and shower bilge pump last week). There's a first time for everything Ross, once you've done one, you may like it so much that you'll make it into a weekly job. There was once a first time to change the Buhk's engine oil too, and you like doing that so much now that you're doing that almost twice a day. Good for your wallet it only has a small sump . If the electrician is changing your tap, make sure to wear insulated gloves whenever you're using that tap . Peter.
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Post by phil70 on Mar 9, 2019 15:19:06 GMT
Just a word of caution, make sure whatever taps you get are suitable for a low pressure system because if they are for a high pressure (think mains pressure) system they won't work. Phil Excellent point. So... where does one buy good quality taps for boats / camper vans? Domestic taps from any DIY outlet or Screwfix or plumb centre will be readily available, some models for high pressure systems some for low pressure systems, just read the box or ask the staff. No need to seek out boat supplies or caravan supplier. Phil
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 15:22:42 GMT
Excellent point. So... where does one buy good quality taps for boats / camper vans? Domestic taps from any DIY outlet or Screwfix or plumb centre will be readily available, some models for high pressure systems some for low pressure systems, just read the box or ask the staff. No need to seek out boat supplies or caravan supplier. Phil Yeah, but if the best they can come up with is Bristan or "shop's own make", we're dead in the water for starters. I will investigate further. Perhaps some Finnish company (such as Oras) might come up with something. Finnish products are usually good quality, but Finns are used to mixer taps. Although there are, of course, boats and caravans/camper vans here too, which probably have low-pressure taps. We have until June to get this sorted.
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Post by bargemast on Mar 9, 2019 15:32:33 GMT
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Post by Jim on Mar 9, 2019 16:26:43 GMT
I don't understand why a ceramic valve tap wont work whatever the pressure. It's open or closed. Same with a rubber washer type tap. I can see that a low pressure tap won't cope with high, but vice versa? Another thing to ponder over is a mixer tap, buy a chrome blank for the spare hole. Make sure you have the right pipe ends for the feed pipes though. What's wrong with "own brand" anyway. It's all cheap shit made in the far east, chromed muck metal (zinc/magnesium alloy). Removing your old heads, drain water and warm with a blowtorch. Then try it.
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 16:34:03 GMT
Thanks, Peter - have made a note.
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 9, 2019 16:37:43 GMT
I don't understand why a ceramic valve tap wont work whatever the pressure. It's open or closed. Same with a rubber washer type tap. I can see that a low pressure tap won't cope with high, but vice versa? Another thing to ponder over is a mixer tap, buy a chrome blank for the spare hole. Make sure you have the right pipe ends for the feed pipes though. What's wrong with "own brand" anyway. It's all cheap shit made in the far east, chromed muck metal (zinc/magnesium alloy). Removing your old heads, drain water and warm with a blowtorch. Then try it. We don't have a blowtorch, and I think it's time for new taps anyway. Not a mixer - I want to keep things simple. One tap on at a time. The hot water comes from the instant heater Morco (which, by the way, is due an inspection, although what there is to inspect I don't know). When I'm in the shower the Witch is forbidden to turn the kitchen sink taps on!!
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Post by Jim on Mar 9, 2019 16:55:51 GMT
Surely the morco is years of use, not years installed, v different on a holiday boat. Check for flame colour and fluff and dust in the heat exchangers and burner heads. Mind the BIG spider. Stand behind Pirrko while she deals with it.
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