Is this fitting still current? Should i use it

[simbob]

Hi, I'm not a plumber (but have done a few bathrooms/kitchen over the years) so would appreciate the advice of someone who knows what they're talking about!

I recently began fitting a bathroom, i found a couple of isolator valves in my tool box i thought i'd use to connect the shower, but on closer inspection i realised one end has a standard nut you would find on any 15mm coupling (although it's permanently attached, but loose until tightened onto something), but rather than the usual olive, instead inside is a flat fibrous washer that pushes up against a flat back surface, with a smaller pipe protruding through. I can screw this nut onto a standard 15mm coupling, but the seal created between the washer and coupling - although seems to fit - doesn't look 'reliable'. Also the 'protruding pipe' is smaller in diameter than the inside of the coupling which doesn't seem right to me - maybe it is?

Are these fibrous washers still used or does this valve have a specific purpose elsewhere - i'm not sure i should use these or not.

 

[AWheating]

dont think i have come across what you have discribed before, can you post a picture?

i would personally fit a standard fitting so you can change/fix it if ever needed with another standard fitting.

 

[simbob]

I don't have it with me but found a pic online (not the same item but the visible end is the same) here: http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/compression-straight-tap-connector--packs-/

Seems it's a tap connector, is this only for connecting to taps? I've never used on on a tap in the past, but then i've only ever installed monoblock mixers in my house.

 

[Koogatubac]

To what your describing it sounds like a 'toilet iso valve' normally chrome, top end is like the tap connector with a fibre washer, other end is a nut and ring to compress on pipe.

 

[glenno1]

Its a service valve that is used everyday in plumbing for a lot of valve connections

 

[simbob]

To what your describing it sounds like a 'toilet iso valve' normally chrome, top end is like the tap connector with a fibre washer, other end is a nut and ring to compress on pipe.

View attachment 7474

Bang on, that looks like the fella. Could i / Should i use it for a shower, it must be reliable i guess? although will be concealed in the stud wall

 

[glenno1]

If concealed then no imo

 

[Koogatubac]

To use on a shower its best to hard pipe it, bring 2 iso valves under the bath (in between your vertical pipes that feed the shower and the tee that your coming off your hot and colds) so you can turn the service pipework off to replace/maintenance on the shower

If its a electric shower you could bring like a chrome pipe out of the tiles and install a nice chrome isolation/service valve accessible underneath the electric shower unit

 

[Koogatubac]

Get a full bore iso valve, every iso valve restricts the flow of water!

 

[Koogatubac]

http://m.NoLinkingToThis/p/15mm-full-bore-isolating-valve/46860

 

[simbob]

To use on a shower its best to hard pipe it, bring 2 iso valves under the bath (in between your vertical pipes that feed the shower and the tee that your coming off your hot and colds) so you can turn the service pipework off to replace/maintenance on the shower

If its a electric shower you could bring like a chrome pipe out of the tiles and install a nice chrome isolation/service valve accessible underneath the electric shower unit

It's a freestanding shower column but i get what you mean, pipework is already hard piped and in place, i just need to connect to the flexi connectors in the unit, and wanted to add iso valves - as you say - for replacement/maintenance later on.

Cheers

 

[dsteves619]

Simbob, you will not be able to join the fibre washer end to a compression fitting that is designed to take an olive, it will leak.