How do you raise a new tap headgear a millimetre or two above the tap body?

[@TonyC]

I have installed tap revivers (2 headgears and 2 tap handles) on our bathroom basin taps. Everything works fine except that the bottom of the new tap handles scrape against the old tap bodies. I therefore need to be able to raise the new tap handles a millimetre or two so that they don't scrape.

Temporarily at least, I've accomplished this by making a collar/washer out of thick wire which fits around the base of the spline at the top of the headgear. This prevents the tap handle from being pushed all the way down onto the spline, and therefore has the desired effect of raising the tap handle.

However, a better solution would be to raise the headgear a millimetre or two above the tap body. Is there any satisfactory way of achieving this? Can you, for example, purchase a washer/separator that fits between the large rubber O-ring and the base of the headgear?

In case someone is thinking why don't I just use the old tap handles? The answer is that the spline on the new headgear is not compatible.

 

[Simon F]

Hi Tony.
tap reviver kits come complete, the complete top half of the tap???
do you mean you fitted new cartridges?
what you have done is what I would be looking at, raising the handle on the spline,
so long as it is not catching to little and in danger of splitting off.
if you start trying to lift the body you have issues with the way it is sealed, best avoided.

 

[Paulplumb]

New taps aren't expensive but if you have no other options than to use what you have then you could file away the bottom of the heads maybe?

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

can you fit small metal washer between cap and the spindle?

 

[IDCHAPPY]

can you fit small metal washer between cap and the spindle?

This^. I've had to do it a few times for a property management place where they are too tight to fit a new tap....

 

[@TonyC]

Thanks Simon.

I believe that what you call a cartridge, I have called a headgear. I apologise if I am not using the correct term. And yes, the kit came with two cartridges and two handles - the complete top halves of two taps.

I half suspected that someone would consider what I was proposing to be problematic.

 

[@TonyC]

I'm a DIYer, not a plumber. My skills extend to maintaining taps, which includes changing the headgear. But I consider changing a whole tap to be a job for a plumber. So, the cost of a plumber's time would have to be added to the cost of new taps. The tap reviver kit that I bought cost only £15.

I'm not sure I like the idea of filing the bottom of the handles.

 

[@TonyC]

I considered this, and this might be the best solution. But where can I purchase such a small washer? It would have to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the spline.

 

[@TonyC]

I don't understand what you mean by "This^". Are you saying that fitting a small washer between the cap and the spindle is the solution that you've used succesfully on a few occasions?

 

[leelister6]

B&Q sells the cartridges with different lengths of splined shafts. Sometimes the splines dont fit the existing tap heads tho.

 

[@TonyC]

B&Q sells the cartridges with different lengths of splined shafts. Sometimes the splines dont fit the existing tap heads tho.

I've often looked at the headgear/cartridges at our local B&Q, but I've never seen a selection of different lengths/heights. I've only ever found one type of headgear/cartridge there and that one, unfortunately, is not a good fit for my basin taps. The valve that controls the flow of water does not retract high enough when you open the tap, which means that the flow of water is too weak.

The Bristan ones that I use are just about acceptable - they allow a reasonable flow of water when fully open. This is another reason why I would prefer to be able to raise the headgear/cartridge a millimetre or two - it would allow a stronger flow of water when the tap is opened.

For the moment, I would prefer not to give up the idea of raising the headgear/cartridge slightly. What is the potential problem with fitting some kind of washer between the base of the headgear/cartridge and the body of the tap (assuming I can find such a washer)? Surely, the O-ring should form a good enough seal to prevent water escaping? Is the problem one of stability - for example, the presence of a washer might mean that the headgear/cartridge is likely to work itself loose over time?

 

[Best]

Many conversion headgear for taps will have the head part about flush with the part of the works that hits the tap body.
Therefore, if the new head hits the old body, then there is nothing you can do about it other than raise the head slightly using one or more small brass or stainless steel washers below the head.
Or, don't use the conversion heads & get the entire taps replaced.

 

[@TonyC]

Many conversion headgear for taps will have the head part about flush with the part of the works that hits the tap body.
Therefore, if the new head hits the old body, then there is nothing you can do about it other than raise the head slightly using one or more small brass or stainless steel washers below the head.
Or, don't use the conversion heads & get the entire taps replaced.

I’m struggling a little with the terminology. By “head”, I think you are referring to the tap handle – the part that you use to turn the tap on and off. On that understanding, I believe you are stating, like a previous respondent, that it is just not feasible to raise the headgear a millimetre or two above the tap body.

Concerning your solution though, where would I be able to acquire such small stainless steel or brass washers? B&Q/Homebase/Wickes? Plumbers’ merchants? Internet sellers? The washers would need to have a diameter small enough to fit inside the “spline cavity” in the tap handle and yet have a hole large enough to allow the screw to pass through.

 

[Best]

I’m struggling a little with the terminology. By “head”, I think you are referring to the tap handle – the part that you use to turn the tap on and off. On that understanding, I believe you are stating, like a previous respondent, that it is just not feasible to raise the headgear a millimetre or two above the tap body.

Concerning your solution though, where would I be able to acquire such small stainless steel or brass washers? B&Q/Homebase/Wickes? Plumbers’ merchants? Internet sellers? The washers would need to have a diameter small enough to fit inside the “spline cavity” in the tap handle and yet have a hole large enough to allow the screw to pass through.

You are spot on about the washers! It is very difficult to acquire very small washers that size & made of brass preferably, or stainless steel. I tend to strip down old electrical bits, like immersion heaters, electrical showers etc & use the valuable metal for scrap, but I keep a lot of the brass nuts & bolts & washers - which can be handy for your job.