New kitchen tap install

[milleniumaire]

I need to replace an old leaking kitchen tap at a rental property and having fitted one of these before I've decided to go for the Cooke and Lewis mono mixer from Screwfix, which comes with 356mm flexible tales and a G 1/2" end:

The tenant has sent me some photos of the existing tap and connections. The first shows the copper tails from the tap connected to some flexible hoses:

The next photo shows the other end of the flexible hoses and this appears to be connected to a 3-way compression fitting:

So, if I do decide on this tap, it looks like I'll have to do some work under the sink as I don't particularly want to connect the new tap flexible tails to the existing pipework flexible tails. Also, although I haven't got measurements, I suspect the new tap tails won't be long enough to reach the 3-way compression fitting and even if they did, I'm not sure if the G 1/2" connection on the tails would screw onto the 3-way compression fitting. (I confess, I'm not exactly sure what size connection the G 1/2" is!).

I would appreciate your thoughts on how the new tap could be connected to the existing pipework.

Thanks.

 

[JCplumb]

Offer your new tap up and see where the flexis dangle to. Cut a piece of 15mm copper for each feed and connect them to the tees, attach the flexi to the copper you just put in.
You will probably need an extra nut and olive for the top of those compression tees as the flexis are connected to them with tap connectors rather than nuts and olives.
You can get a 15mm isolating valve or coupling for under a quid, use the nuts and olives off that.
So from the top it will be Tap -> Flexi -> Copper tube ->Tee

 

[JCplumb]

Looks like the washing machine is connected to the hot rather than the cold, if so swap that over while you're there 😀

 

[milleniumaire]

Offer your new tap up and see where the flexis dangle to. Cut a piece of 15mm copper for each feed and connect them to the tees, attach the flexi to the copper you just put in.
You will probably need an extra nut and olive for the top of those compression tees as the flexis are connected to them with tap connectors rather than nuts and olives.
You can get a 15mm isolating valve or coupling for under a quid, use the nuts and olives off that.
So from the top it will be Tap -> Flexi -> Copper tube ->Tee

Thanks JCplumb. That is exactly what I thought I might have to do and I did wonder about where to get the nut for the existing compression fittings from, although I suspect I may have some spares in my "plumbing box".

How would the new flexible tails be connected to the new, extended 15mm copper pipe? Is there a particular fitting I would need to use? It's not clear in the photos, but I guess there is a fitting on the end of the existing copper tails that I might be able to re-use, but that assumes the existing tails have the same G 1/2" fitting as the new tails.

 

[milleniumaire]

I've just watched a helpful video that indicates the G 1/2" fitting is 1/2" BSP, so the same size as a standard compression fitting, so it would appear I can screw the end of the tails into a compression fitting, although I'm aware these are not flat, so it could cut into the washer on the tail fitting.

 

[milleniumaire]

Looks like the washing machine is connected to the hot rather than the cold, if so swap that over while you're there 😀

How can you tell which is the hot and cold supply pipes?

 

[milleniumaire]

How can you tell which is the hot and cold supply pipes?

Ah, I see. The washing machine appears to be only connected to one of them - the one with the red connector.

Yes, I suspect the tenants have done this.

 

[JCplumb]

Yeah it depends what fitting is on the end of the flexis you have. If it's nut and olive then straight onto copper, if it's tap conns with rubber seals then a 15mm - 1/2' union would be the preferred choice but people do attach them to standarrd compression fittings like couplers or ISOs successfully 'most of the time' 🙂

 

[Timmy D]

If I connect a 1/2 fexi directly to a 15mm compression, I give the 15mm a quick file to take the edge off.

 

[Ric2013]

Don't assume the red is hot. Do check before installing.

 

[milleniumaire]

If I connect a 1/2 fexi directly to a 15mm compression, I give the 15mm a quick file to take the edge off.

I have found these on Screwfix, which look like the perfect fittings to attach a flexible hose to a copper pipe.

Compression adapting male coupler 15mm x 1/2" (69358)

The description doesn't say the 1/2" end is flat, but someone asked the question and the response was that it was. To be sure, I've asked the same question, but not yet received a response from Screwfix, who seem to be hit and miss these days.

I may just buy them anyway.

 

[JCplumb]

I have found these on Screwfix, which look like the perfect fittings to attach a flexible hose to a copper pipe.

Compression adapting male coupler 15mm x 1/2" (69358)

The description doesn't say the 1/2" end is flat, but someone asked the question and the response was that it was. To be sure, I've asked the same question, but not yet received a response from Screwfix, who seem to be hit and miss these days.

I may just buy them anyway.

I've just answered your question on the Screwfix site, the answer's yes.

 

[milleniumaire]

I've just answered your question on the Screwfix site, the answer's yes.

Thanks. I picked them up at lunch time and as you say they are flat and are perfect for the job of connecting the tap hoses to the extended copper pipe I will need to fit.