Speedfit Connectors

Chanes

Just a quick question: we have a washing machine cold feed problem and the connector on the plumbing has a very slow leak (that comes out along the screw that holds the blue on/off handle) We have a Speedfit appliance connector and I am told I can just remove the old valve and push this into place? Really? Don't I need to have something that you tighten with a spanner or solder!

If it's trickier than it looks, we'll use our plumbing contract to get them out to fix it, but if it is easy I could do this without having to wait for someone to fix it!

bridgedino

You'll need to ensure the current piece of pipe work will be clean and undamaged. If you're removing an old compression fitting then you'll also need to remove the old olive.

If it's copper pipe no inserts are required. They are if its plastic pipe

If everything is clean and undamaged then just apply a drip of washing up liquid onto the pipe to lubricate it and push the new fitting on good and hard

thescouselander

As above the hardest bit will be removing the old olive. I usually cut through them (carefully) with a hacksaw and when there is a big enough groove insert a flathead screwdriver and twist to pop it off.


I'm not a fan of speedfit connectors though and have has a few problems with them leaking. Better just to use a normal compression fitting IMO.

Mr.Generous

I would say speedfit is less likely to weep or leak than compression! Rather than try and remove the olive I would cut the pipe a bit shorter so olive lost if possible.

Chanes

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll chicken out and get a plumber in to fit a compression fitting so it is like for like. No point having a plumbing and drains contract if I never use it, even for the simple stuff!

Chanes

Mr.Generous wrote: »

I would say speedfit is less likely to weep or leak than compression! Rather than try and remove the olive I would cut the pipe a bit shorter so olive lost if possible.

Really? But it just pushes on...it just can't be that simple.

DavidFx

Buy a new compression valve (£1.10 from Toolstation). Unscrew old one - fit new one using existing olive and nut. Two minutes maximum.

Gloomendoom

Chanes wrote: »

Really? But it just pushes on...it just can't be that simple.

It isn't always. I've had to replace several Speedfit fittings with compression to cure persistent weeping.

As has already been said, if you do use Speedfit, make sure the pipe is in perfect condition.