Any plumbers out there?

[Alex De Kok]

In this fount of all knowledge, I figured I had nothing to lose by asking.

Cheapskates that we are, my wife and I are doing our own bathroom rebuild. The bath, the toilet and the hand washbasin are all in and the leaks (!) stopped. Only 'plumbing' problem I have is that the washbasin taps are moving - swivelling - when they're turned off. The nuts are done up as tight as I can manage, but the taps still move.

The hole in the basin through which the tap passes is larger than the stem of the tap. I feel I should use something to take up the slack as the rubber washer is being distorted.

Any comments? Advice? Brickbats? Bouquets?

Alex

 

[The_Fool]

There is a product out there called plumbers putty which is typically used to seal kitchen drains. It is soft and pliable and is primarily a sealer more than a filler, but might be appropriate for this application.

Just out of curiosity. Usually the method of assembly for a faucet is, from the top, Faucet (or tap), rubber gasket above the sink, and then below the sink, a metal washer and a locking nut. The supply tube connects to the bottom of the fixture. Is your assembly different?

 

[Op_Cit]

OK I am no plumber.

But this falls into the category of things that I know there's an easy solution. I'm guessing they have some kind of rings that you putover/around the pipe portion of the tap to expand to fill the hole. Or conversely a plastic tube insert to go in the hole to reduce the diameter--same concept either way but meant to attach to the hole and not the pipe. (If I'm interpreting your problem correctly.)

Do you have a Home Depot/plumber supply place near by? Surely the guys there have the easy answer at hand and know exactly what you're talking about.

 

[lil_elvis]

Alex,

It could be a couple of things.

Are you sure the nut is fully tightend on the tap. I'm only asking because in some sink designs it's a real bitch to get a wrench into the space allowed by the sink casting. That is, there's not sufficient room between the sink bowl and the wall or cabinet to move the wrench sufficiently to fully tighten the nut. If that's the case, there are special wrenches made specifically for this purpose. Kind, a a funny looking tool, but a decent hardware store should have them.

However, I believe that you're real problem may be that the nut that holds the tap in place has bottomed out before reaching the thickness of the sink (just as an example, the sink is 5 mm thick, but the nut only closes to 7 mm). In that case some extra washers between the nut and the sink should solve the problem.

 

[Alex De Kok]

There is a product out there called plumbers putty which is typically used to seal kitchen drains. It is soft and pliable and is primarily a sealer more than a filler, but might be appropriate for this application.

I have some. I think it's a mechanical problem

Just out of curiosity. Usually the method of assembly for a faucet is, from the top, Faucet (or tap), rubber gasket above the sink, and then below the sink, a metal washer and a locking nut. The supply tube connects to the bottom of the fixture. Is your assembly different?

I'm missing the metal washer! Good point. The extra space between the tap (faucet) and the basin is distorting the rubber washer. I need to fill that space. I have some spare plastic pipe. I'll cut a thin slice off and slit it so that it takes up the space, I think.

I'm guessing they have some kind of rings that you putover/around the pipe portion of the tap to expand to fill the hole. Or conversely a plastic tube insert to go in the hole to reduce the diameter--same concept either way but meant to attach to the hole and not the pipe. (If I'm interpreting your problem correctly.)

I think you and I are on the same track here.

Do you have a Home Depot/plumber supply place near by? Surely the guys there have the easy answer at hand and know exactly what you're talking about.

Yes, I guess I'm due a visit tomorrow.

Are you sure the nut is fully tightend on the tap. I'm only asking because in some sink designs it's a real bitch to get a wrench into the space allowed by the sink casting. That is, there's not sufficient room between the sink bowl and the wall or cabinet to move the wrench sufficiently to fully tighten the nut. If that's the case, there are special wrenches made specifically for this purpose. Kind, a a funny looking tool, but a decent hardware store should have them.

Tell me about it! I have the tools.

However, I believe that you're real problem may be that the nut that holds the tap in place has bottomed out before reaching the thickness of the sink (just as an example, the sink is 5 mm thick, but the nut only closes to 7 mm). In that case some extra washers between the nut and the sink should solve the problem.

Good point, but the taps are actually threaded right up to the flange.

Thanks for the answers, guys. I can still easily dismount the washbasin from the wall and get at the taps. I think I need to take up the play in the holes, and I think I need extra washers.

Any more advice, I'll take it!

Alex

 

[wildsweetone]

I knew it was a washer!

'tightening nuts' and 'special wenches' sure has the mind boggling though.

Okay Alex, I'm sorry I just couldn't help it. *giggling*


My advice:

WRITE A STORY ABOUT IT!

Like you didn't have a great long list of writing already.