Advice on fitting a Bath Filler Tap Assembly

BertieUK

Recently I purchased a 3 Hole Wall Mounted Chrome BathTap from Homebase their Tubos series.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=1607402

The pieces are threaded brass joints, in the past I have only experienced compression joints and would be grateful for any advice as to making a successful watertight assembly.

Kind regards

Bob

keystone

You fit BSP threaded male fittings into an equivalently threaded female fitting using PTFE tape. But there is more to it than that surely. Where is the mixer body and what do the instructions say?

Cheers

T_T_2

From the picture it would seem that the body is 'intra-wall' as they say in italy. OP, did this come with a large barge pole or were they selling them separately?

BertieUK

keystone Many thanks for your input.

The assembly consists of two taps that are attached to a T piece with two screwed threaded copper pipes. The T piece is as you can guess is the filler spout.

I have added 90deg elbows to attach the water supply.

The instructions merely show how the pieces are assembled, pretty basic really.

My concern is that having never assembled screwed threads together before, was getting the parts to line up correctly.

When you screw the assembly together, that is fully screw the threads up tight, (without any PTFE tape, just the bare parts) the taps and T junction do not line up, so it is my concern of how best to be able to tighten the enough to be able to line everything up, and be watertight.

I hope that you can understand what I am trying to say.

Kind regards

Bob

BertieUK

T.T thanks for your input.

Yes it is as you say "intra-wall" of which I am intending fixing the assembly to a wall plate. The spout is like a large bargepole, as you referred to it by.

Kind regards
Bob

keystone

You are correct they won't line up if you just screw one into the other. Thats where the PTFE comes in to help you line it up and also seal it. It needs to be tight enough to be watertight but not so tight that you stress the components and end up splitting the fitting. I've had a wall plate elbow go on me before where there was a tiny visually imperceptable crack in the casting but just screwing in the fitting cause it to open up.

Cheers

T_T_2

BertieUK wrote: »

T.T thanks for your input.

The spout is like a large bargepole, as you referred to it by.

I...er...nevermind.

As keystone says, the PTFE will give you a snug fit. I'm not familiar with this brand of brassware so I cannot vouch for the quality of the parts. Just be careful not to force a line of travel that isn't working (particularly when you haven't added PTFE) or you may end up cross threading.

BertieUK

Keystone thanks again for your input.

Aas you say it needs to be tight enough to be fully sealed but not 'stressed' I have enough PTFE tape to enable me to get the correct pressure without stressing the components, if the first attempt fails.

How many times would you suggest running the PTFE tape on the male thread? also would you put a smear of Fernox Jointing Compound on the joints before assembly?

Kind regards
Bob

BertieUK

T.T The assembly parts are quite robust I must say, the total assembly price is £169 so it will take a certain amout of pressure
kind regards
Bob

keystone

BertieUK wrote: »

Keystone thanks again for your input.

Aas you say it needs to be tight enough to be fully sealed but not 'stressed' I have enough PTFE tape to enable me to get the correct pressure without stressing the components, if the first attempt fails.

How many times would you suggest running the PTFE tape on the male thread? also would you put a smear of Fernox Jointing Compound on the joints before assembly?

Kind regards
Bob

Probably 4 or 5 turns. You need to try a bit of trial and error. No you don't need jointing compound as well.

Cheers

BertieUK

keystone as always many thank for your input
Trial and error has been a big part of my life, with success being achieved on the greater I must say, many times it has been achieved from people like yourself and others in this great 'Forum'
I believe in asking questions if you are not sure, which others may view as if you dont know get in the experts.
Kind regards to all that have helped this 'old pensioner'
Bob