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Tap tip please: swivelling spout reluctant to swivel
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Bert Coules
Sep 30, 2012, 3:35:41 AM9/30/12
to
What's the best way of freeing a non-swivelling swivelling kitchen sink tap?
It takes a real effort to move it at all at present. Is it a dismantle and
replace something job, or will something as simple as a good external squirt
of WD40 do the trick?
Many thanks.
It takes a real effort to move it at all at present. Is it a dismantle and
replace something job, or will something as simple as a good external squirt
of WD40 do the trick?
Many thanks.
Andrew Gabriel
Sep 30, 2012, 7:21:30 AM9/30/12
to
In article <CISdnX4R5dHSa_rN...@brightview.co.uk>,
Dismantle, descale, replace the O-ring seals, lubricate with silicone
grease which is suitable for use on potable water fittings, reassemble.
When you've descaled it, inspect for wear. If it's got worn through
lack of maintenance, then it may never work properly, so be prepared
to cut your losses.
Don't put WD40 anywhere near it.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
grease which is suitable for use on potable water fittings, reassemble.
When you've descaled it, inspect for wear. If it's got worn through
lack of maintenance, then it may never work properly, so be prepared
to cut your losses.
Don't put WD40 anywhere near it.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
Andy Cap
Sep 30, 2012, 7:44:23 AM9/30/12
to
On 30/09/12 12:21, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
>
> Dismantle.... <snip>
I have a similar problem, but rather than being retained with a grub
screw as the old ones were, this one just had a spring-loaded
ball-bearing that went down a slot. I can't get it out again for love
nor money. Is there a standard direction the outlet should face to lift
it out again, before I damage the sink ?
Andy C
>
> Dismantle.... <snip>
I have a similar problem, but rather than being retained with a grub
screw as the old ones were, this one just had a spring-loaded
ball-bearing that went down a slot. I can't get it out again for love
nor money. Is there a standard direction the outlet should face to lift
it out again, before I damage the sink ?
Andy C
Bert Coules
Sep 30, 2012, 12:01:13 PM9/30/12
to
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Anticipating that advice, I've dismantled it now and found a few rock-hard
black fragments between the sliding chrome-plated surfaces where the
moveable spout rests down against the body of the tap. Presumably there was
once an O-ring there which as you say should be replaced
> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small quantities)
unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
Many thanks.
Anticipating that advice, I've dismantled it now and found a few rock-hard
black fragments between the sliding chrome-plated surfaces where the
moveable spout rests down against the body of the tap. Presumably there was
once an O-ring there which as you say should be replaced
> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small quantities)
unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
Many thanks.
Bert Coules
Oct 1, 2012, 4:31:11 AM10/1/12
to
I wrote:
>> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
>
> Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small
> quantities) unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
How about Vaseline? I know it degrades rubber, but modern O-rings are
>> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
>
> Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small
> quantities) unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
neoprene or similar, aren't they?
polygonum
Oct 1, 2012, 4:42:08 AM10/1/12
to
in my tea...
(I realise that it shouldn't get in there, but we all know how things
don't always work out as planned.)
For the cost of a small pot of silicone grease, I would not risk it.
--
Rod
Bert Coules
Oct 1, 2012, 4:57:16 AM10/1/12
to
"polygonum" wrote:
> I certainly wouldn't want any possibility of vaseline in my tea...
Yes, a good point. But is the prospect of silicone grease in your tea any
> I certainly wouldn't want any possibility of vaseline in my tea...
better?
fred
Oct 1, 2012, 5:43:32 AM10/1/12
to
In article <w8qdnfaYndpX8fXN...@brightview.co.uk>, Bert
Coules <ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> writes
the last time they were on sale[1] (cheaply at around 6quid) and find a
suitable replacement.
The selection box is useful, I have done similar recently and found the
correct diameter O-ring made the action on the spout a little stiff so I
used the size smaller, stretching it slightly and the reduction in
section made the fit just right. If you buy singles then maybe buy a
couple of sizes.
>> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
>
>Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small quantities)
>unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
>
It is, either in pot or tube and cheaply, see toolstation etc. Nowt else
will do either compatibility wise or potable water wise
[1] You did do that didn't you ;-)
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .
Coules <ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> writes
>Andrew Gabriel wrote:
>
>Anticipating that advice, I've dismantled it now and found a few rock-hard
>black fragments between the sliding chrome-plated surfaces where the
>moveable spout rests down against the body of the tap. Presumably there was
>once an O-ring there which as you say should be replaced
>
This is where you go to your selection box of O-rings, bought from Aldil
>
>Anticipating that advice, I've dismantled it now and found a few rock-hard
>black fragments between the sliding chrome-plated surfaces where the
>moveable spout rests down against the body of the tap. Presumably there was
>once an O-ring there which as you say should be replaced
>
the last time they were on sale[1] (cheaply at around 6quid) and find a
suitable replacement.
The selection box is useful, I have done similar recently and found the
correct diameter O-ring made the action on the spout a little stiff so I
used the size smaller, stretching it slightly and the reduction in
section made the fit just right. If you buy singles then maybe buy a
couple of sizes.
>> ...lubricate with silicone grease...
>
>Ah, I'll have to get some (and hope that it's available in small quantities)
>unless there's an acceptable alternative which I already have.
>
will do either compatibility wise or potable water wise
[1] You did do that didn't you ;-)
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .
Bert Coules
Oct 1, 2012, 11:40:17 AM10/1/12
to
I did have a suitable O-ring, fitted it and tried a test re-assembly without
lubricant. The result was a spectacular leak from around the O-ring. So I
obtained some silicone grease (exorbitantly priced from B&Q - Toolstation
denied all knowledge of the stuff) and tried again. The "grease" proved to
be rather more liquid than solid and was absolutely useless: it simply ran
off.
I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
said.
Bert
lubricant. The result was a spectacular leak from around the O-ring. So I
obtained some silicone grease (exorbitantly priced from B&Q - Toolstation
denied all knowledge of the stuff) and tried again. The "grease" proved to
be rather more liquid than solid and was absolutely useless: it simply ran
off.
I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
said.
Bert
fred
Oct 1, 2012, 5:11:46 PM10/1/12
to
In article <cKmdnd0ItID_JPTN...@brightview.co.uk>, Bert
Coules <ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> writes
it was the right size for the job.
Surprised not to see it at TS as it's just what you need to lube seals
on pushfit drainage and I see Sfx don't carry it either, just a couple
of quid here: http://www.bes.co.uk/products/094.asp for the smallest
size but you have to go local when you're in a hurry. Local plumbers'
merchant shouldn't have been too much. Runny doesn't sound right at all,
the BES stuff mentions 'high tack' and it has the texture of vaseline
>I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
>merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
>was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
>against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
>said.
>
If there is a rectangular slot running radially around the spout then it
still sounds like an O-ring seal, just the wrong profile used.
Given the bother you're having maybe a cheap replacement tap may be the
way to go.
Coules <ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> writes
>I did have a suitable O-ring, fitted it and tried a test re-assembly without
>lubricant. The result was a spectacular leak from around the O-ring. So I
>obtained some silicone grease (exorbitantly priced from B&Q - Toolstation
>denied all knowledge of the stuff) and tried again. The "grease" proved to
>be rather more liquid than solid and was absolutely useless: it simply ran
>off.
>
Hmmn, doesn't sound right, even unlubed the O-ring should have sealed if
>lubricant. The result was a spectacular leak from around the O-ring. So I
>obtained some silicone grease (exorbitantly priced from B&Q - Toolstation
>denied all knowledge of the stuff) and tried again. The "grease" proved to
>be rather more liquid than solid and was absolutely useless: it simply ran
>off.
>
it was the right size for the job.
Surprised not to see it at TS as it's just what you need to lube seals
on pushfit drainage and I see Sfx don't carry it either, just a couple
of quid here: http://www.bes.co.uk/products/094.asp for the smallest
size but you have to go local when you're in a hurry. Local plumbers'
merchant shouldn't have been too much. Runny doesn't sound right at all,
the BES stuff mentions 'high tack' and it has the texture of vaseline
>I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
>merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
>was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
>against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
>said.
>
still sounds like an O-ring seal, just the wrong profile used.
Given the bother you're having maybe a cheap replacement tap may be the
way to go.
Grimly Curmudgeon
Oct 1, 2012, 10:14:46 PM10/1/12
to
On Mon, 1 Oct 2012 16:40:17 +0100, "Bert Coules"
<ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> wrote:
>I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
>merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
>was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
>against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
>said.
Tip:
<ma...@bertcoules.co.uk> wrote:
>I gave up temporarily but later took the tap spout to a small plumber's
>merchant (where I should have thought of going in the first place). There I
>was told that there should be no O-ring: the sliding surfaces simply rotate
>against each other. What about lubrication? Oh - use Vaseline, the chap
>said.
Only believe what storemen tell you if you already know they know what
they're talking about.
Bert Coules
Oct 2, 2012, 3:00:45 AM10/2/12
to
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:
> Only believe what storemen tell you if
> you already know they know what
> they're talking about.
Very sound advice. But surely it should also apply to believing what's
> Only believe what storemen tell you if
> you already know they know what
> they're talking about.
posted here? Sometimes one simply has to trust by instinct.
Anyway, the tap is now reassembled, the spout swivels and the joint does not
leak. Thanks to everyone for the comments and advice.
Bert
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