Water dripping through tap holes

[Snappy]

Hi,

I've fitted a metal Kaldewei bath with a Bristan Quest mixer tap. The tap holes were pre-drilled and the centres are fine. I tested the electric shower above and water leaked through the base of the tap and through the holes, onto the floor. The issue is that the holes in the bath are 35mm diameter and the tap tails are about 27mm diameter (3/4"). The tap comes with a disc with its own seal that sits at the base of the tap and would seal the area around the hole, but only if the tap tail was exactly in the centre of the hole - which it wasn't.

I thought I had a solution when I spotted Split Klick washers in toolstation, but they don't work as they seem to rely on the bath/sink material having some thickness whereas the metal bath is only a 1-2mm thick - so if I put the split klick washers on from underneath, it pushes the tap up.

So, I'm trying to think of a way to ensure that the taps are centred (and remain centred) in the holes.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Many thanks.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

clear mastic/sealant

other than making a washer the same dia of the (outisde) bath holes and (inside) external dia of the thread, thats it

 

[JCplumb]

other than making a washer the same dia of the (outisde) bath holes and (inside) external dia of the thread, thats it

Done that before, sometimes you just can't center the taps on your own. Used the plastic lid off an empty tin of paint last time 😵 and cut it to size.
Doesn't have to be pretty, don't need to go out and buy anything just make something the right size and bang it on there.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Done that before, sometimes you just can't center the taps on your own. Used the plastic lid off an empty tin of paint last time 😵 and cut it to size.
Doesn't have to be pretty, don't need to go out and buy anything just make something the right size and bang it on there.

I use a top hate and a hole saw (34mm) ends up close enough

 

[Best]

I use electric insulating tape and stick 4 pieces same distance away from around each hole in a sink or bath so that I can see the tap is dead centre when I finally tighten it.
With plastic baths it is better to order them without predrilled holes and then drill them reasonably tight holes.

 

[JCplumb]

I use electric insulating tape and stick 4 pieces same distance away from around each hole in a sink or bath so that I can see the tap is dead centre when I finally tighten it.
With plastic baths it is better to order them without predrilled holes and then drill them reasonably tight holes.

Doesn't matter how many times you do it, it's twitchy bum time when you drill into a bath 🙂

 

[Best]

Doesn't matter how many times you do it, it's twitchy bum time when you drill into a bath 🙂

So true! I think I still can remember the first bath I ever had to drill. Takes me ages to measure and mark the centres and keep checking measurements.
I learnt to (1) Use a cordless drill, as more easy to use.
(2) First drill a pilot hole using just a steel drill bit. That way your hole cutter already has a guide hole for its drill as a guide and shouldn't then slip

 

[Ric2013]

Fairly sure I fitted some Quests, and where the tap base itself fits into the metal collar with incorporated rubber seal there appeared to be no seal between the two pieces of metal. Bein paranoid, I put some sealant between the two. My point being, you may need to check at this location as well.