Taps

[phleb]

I bought some taps yesterday and asked the guy in bnq if flexi pipes are included or do i buy them separate. He said they are in the box. Well, when i came home there was no flexi pipes and i am so cross coz i have to go back there now! Why do they sell taps with no pipes? Or can i use the existing flexi pipes?

Also

My plumber told me that the tap i bought, a bath mixer with shower attachment, is no good and he can't get to the fittings without moving the bath. The existing tap is also a mixer shower tap, so why is this a problem to replace? Is he trying to play silly *** and rip me off? Is it possible the previous people fitting the tap before fitting the bath?

[SlackAlice]

I've yet to buy any taps that included flexi pipe connections in the box, mainly because there are various ways to connect the pipes. If the old flexi pipes are in good condition and you can replace the washer at the tap end then you may be able to re-use them.

If I were you, I would buy a new set of flexi pipes with a fitted isolator valve.

Your plumber may well be right because access to the underside may be almost impossible. I have known of taps fitted to the bath before the bath was fitted into the room.

[The Builder]

Slacks is partly right about the flexible tails. Possibly a bit of confusion over the different types.

It's quite common for taps to include flexibles that are made to screw into the underside of the tap body. They have a threaded end with a small O-ring.

The other type of tails are made to connect to the supply (15mm fitting), while the other end has a standard (1/2 inch BSP) tap connector which fits onto a normal tap spigot.

So.......... it all depends on the type of tap you buy.

In most cases, plumbers manage (with great difficulty) to get at fittings on a bath mixer. It's a diabolical job, and I guess he has better things to do. Having said that; I can't judge from here, but maybe it's one of those cases where it really is built-in so much that bath removal is the only way.

Do what Sqad would suggest ... get a second opinion. :o)

[JamesE]

I succeeded in replacing a bath mixer tap with a bath + shower mixer tap. I doubt that I could do it now at my advanced age, as I had to lie down and fiddle with outstretched arms........
I bought a TAP SPANNER which is a weird looking thing and even then I had to stick a shim on one of the jaws to make it fit.
Difficult but do-able.