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H

hardya

I am a very ameteur plumber, but since the descriptions all said no experience necessary I thought I'd install one of these self cutting garden tap kits.

I wonte bore you with the details of each snag, return to shop etc etc, but it took all day till 8pm at night to ultimately complete the fit of the 'supa' 'deluxe' version of one of these.

I fitted it just above the stopcock of the incoming cold water main in the kitchen. I followed all the instructions very carefully.

All the other taps in the house have very good pressure. The kitchen tap has always been used for watering the garden veg, lawn etc and still has excellent pressure.

The pressure on the garden tap is pitiful. It comes with hoselock type fittings and basic garden sprayer. I attached it to our usual sprayer and wouldn't have even watered a daisy, it just dribbled out.

During installation, when I turned the cutter I noticed the initial pressure was low. I turned the cutting T-piece (or what ever it's called) in a bit and out a bit of its entry into the side of the mains pipe to get the optimal balance between pressure and leak. I hit on one position which as well as not leaking was also the highest pressure I could obtain. It didn't look good, but not being well versed in the technical difference between flow & pressure & .... etc I decided I could not rely on my judgement until I had done a proper usability test. So I proceeded (with all the ususal hitches) to the end of the project. As said, the pressure did turn out to be very poor. Incidentally there is an internal tap attached to this cutting T not sure whether it also incorporates filtering or something. BTW there is a small leak also on the elbow joint, but not cross threaded, washer intact and fully tightened so thats confusing, but a separate issue I guess!!

Since these products are sold together with watering kits etc then I asume it is not something intrinsic in this kind of product but some defect in the particular item or in the installer (me).

I'd like to make sure I've definitely failed before I call in a plumber (probably at great expense).

So, any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
basically the cutter tap that you fitted has put a very small diameter hole in the pipe through which you are trying to fill a normal(i presume) sized hose. the only way to do this properly and the easiest is to cut out where you have fitted the cutting tap and fit a compression elbow to get full flow adding a lever ball valve to shut off in winter.
 
lol im fitting one tomoz in side in a bathroom its a flat 2nd floor so i cant fit out side tap lol
im going to T it off the cold feed for the sink
it hiden at the back it will be used for a jetwasher
iv never liked them kits id of just got the parts and fitted it as standed.
T ed off a feed not cut in
 
Safe your self time and aggro and endless frustration and get the yellow pages out and get it done properly and stress free
 
has put a very small diameter hole in the pipe through which you are trying to fill a normal(i presume) sized hose.

...small by accident or by design?

I think you imply this is the cause of the low pressure?

If "by design", then why are these things sold with hoselock kits, sprayers and with (more or less) the implication that they will be as suitable for spraying your garden as your kitchen tap was?
 
youll need :
full bore isoalating valve
out side tap
compression T
wall plate elbow
lenth of pipe
PTFE tape
I use fernow water hawk
£15 the lot mate depended on the run about 45min job maybe
 
...small by accident or by design?
because its crap
I think you imply this is the cause of the low pressure?
well done Sherlock
If "by design", then why are these things sold with hoselock kits, sprayers and with (more or less) the implication that they will be as suitable for spraying your garden as your kitchen tap was?
they seen you coming
basically these kits are overpriced tat,get a plumber in rip it out do it properly happy days my friend
 
Safe your self time and aggro and endless frustration and get the yellow pages out and get it done properly and stress free

Certainly there was stress, but just out of interest and to clarify (not because I disagree with your comment), what specifically is it that was not 'proper' in your view about this job? Eg I made an installation mistake? the product is not really fit for purpose (ie spraying garden)? product must have been defective? ...? etc...

Or is 'proper' just analagous to 'proffessional'?
 
iv got all the parts here now lol not joking ill do it tomoz £50 all in now the matter of were are you mate ???????
 
installation mistake

you went and payed for a kit that was micky mouse sorry but it is what it is
 
Ok thanks every one. I really appreciate your help and advice. Although it may be obvious to plumbers, it would be good to have a formal source, that these are highly prone to low pressure, if any one know one.

I can't get my time back, but I'd like to take this thing back and get my money back so its not lost money of I get a plumber in. To me this seems perfectly resonable since its clearly sold with the implication that it will have enough pressure to water your garden when it almost certainly will not.

If I take it back, any suggestions what my best approach might be?

If I request a plumber to do the work, what are the pitfalls? right price? things to watch for? Corners a bad plumber may cut?

Many thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time. Sorry I was so stupid to be had over!
 
erm if you go taking it back youll need too turn water off first or youll make a big mess lol
and youll need too fix the hole in the pipe or youll have no hot water till the time of the plumber turning up lol
as for taking it back just tell the boss if you dont give me my money back ill give you a enerma with the kit
 
Yeah I did twig about the hole.

I'll warant I'm guilty of not doing my research before planning to have a garden tap, but I do realise the consequences of having a hole on the main and the required order of plumber to fix / uninstall of kit / take back to shop.

Any one point me to a formal source? It might be nicer than just saying "every knows these are #?@%, 'cept stupid me 'course...".
 
The product you have bought is junk as are most DIY products. The self cutter punches a small 8mm hole in the pipe so that is all you will get. You could pi.. faster!
You could have had a proper job done in under an hour for around £50. It is still salvagable for around £50.
You could take it up with DIY big shed who you bought it from but i think it would be another waste of time.
 
What make is it?. You should be able to take it back if it is not fit for purpose, might only get a credit note. What shop did you get it from?
 

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