Bath tap problem.

[mattSMD]

Hi guys,
I have limited plumbing experience and a mate of mine has asked me to fit backnuts to his monobloc bath tap as they weren't fitted on installation, now meaning the tap is loose. Unfortunately the person who fitted it didn't put service valves on the feeds. I'm wondering whether there's a simple way of getting the nuts on without having to drain down the HWSC? I'm not keen on disconnecting the flexi connectors live! I've already advised him to get the guy responsible back out but he doesn't seem keen and wants me to do it. Thanks for any help.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

shut valves (gate valves with red rounded handle) in the cupboard next to the cylinder or if you have combi boiler, shut main stopcock and open kitchen tap to drain water.

 

[lbp plg & htg]

No way round it without isolating and draining off but how were they not flopping about from the minute go?

 

[mattSMD]

Thanks, I thought shutting the gate valve would only stop the feed to the cylinder but guess there would be another one to stop distribution? Would I also need to turn the boiler off if I'm closing the gate valve?

 

[mattSMD]

No way round it without isolating and draining off but how were they not flopping about from the minute go?

I can only assume he glued it down. Not too happy with the whole thing to be honest

 

[Guest123]

How the heck did they stay upright? Were they glued on! Original installer is riding off into the sunset on his trusty steed.

 

[lbp plg & htg]

You'll be fine - away you go and especially with a monobloc tap it wont be as hard to get a good fixing.

 

[JCplumb]

Hi guys,
I have limited plumbing experience and a mate of mine has asked me to fit backnuts to his monobloc bath tap as they weren't fitted on installation, now meaning the tap is loose. Unfortunately the person who fitted it didn't put service valves on the feeds. I'm wondering whether there's a simple way of getting the nuts on without having to drain down the HWSC? I'm not keen on disconnecting the flexi connectors live! I've already advised him to get the guy responsible back out but he doesn't seem keen and wants me to do it. Thanks for any help.

Hi Matt, as you have mentioned that you have limited plumbing experience, and then go on to say there are no backnuts, also the tap is now loose and not hanging off. My guess is that you're not up to speed on how a monobloc tap is secured.
There's a plate underneath that goes around the two feeds and has a nut in the middle to clamp the unit in place. My guess is that this one nut just needs tightening. You can get monobloc spanners quite cheap.
However if there are two holes for feeds in the bath(usually 180mm centres) and then a larger tap unit sits on top, it's a mixer tap and not a monobloc. This type of tap should have backnuts on.
If taps are fitted to a bath after it has been set in situ it is common to see them come loose at some point as the installer would usually have had a nightmare trying to get into a position where he was able to tighten the nut/nuts adequately.
Whichever type of tap this is, good luck mate, I hate loose bath taps, well my back does anyway 😉

 

[lbp plg & htg]

Well that would be a first for me - even my own monobloc type bath tap doesnt have a plate underneath. What does the nut tighten up against?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

the nut tightens up against the plate pulling the tap down to create a seal against the bath/basin

 

[JCplumb]

Here's a typical monobloc fixing, this one has 2 securing nuts which I think is more common for bath monoblocs but not always the rule

 

[lbp plg & htg]

well never seen one of those used on a bath - sink/ basin but bath NIML.

 

[billyjoseph]

One thing to be aware of is that some taps either have a square shank under the mounting face or the thread on the tail does not go right up to the mounting surface - either of these features can cause the backnut to tighten onto the tap body before it tightens against the unit. In such case a tophat washer needs to be fitted under the backnut to ensure that the tap is tightened against the unit. It is also a good idea to use tophat, or large plain, washers under fiberglass baths and composite sinks as their use prevent the backnut cutting into the surface.

 

[billyjoseph]

When fitting taps to fibreglass baths or composite sinks, fitting a tophat, or a plain, large washer between the backnut and the sink will prevent the backnut cutting into the sink material.New taps are usually supplied complete with all the backnuts and washers needed for fitting - but without any tophat washers, the appropriate sized tophats need to be purchased separately if required.