Replacing Kitchen Mixer Tap Queries

bellissimo

I rather stupidly stripped the thread of a plastic attachment for my tap head (which can't easily be replaced) when attempting to replace the swivel aerator. So it looks like I need to replace the monoblock mixer tap altogether. I would like to try to do this myself but would appreciate some clarification on a couple of points:

1) Underneath the sink only the cold input pipe has an isolator valve for some reason, so presumably I will need to turn the water off at the mains. The boiler is a combi so I am thinking that I need to turn off the combi and then turn off the internal stopcock and run the kitchen taps till they run out.

2) Currently the existing tap has two copper pipes attached, which then attach to a couple of flexi pipes, which in turn connect back to copper piping. If the new taps come with flexi pipes, presumably I can connect flexi pipes to flexi pipes using the existing connectors?

Ganga

If you purchase a new tap can you not check it comes with flexy pipes and just connect them to the copper feed pipes.

bellissimo

I wish I could upload a picture to show what the current set up is, but apparently I don't have enough posts yet. At the moment the existing tap has copper pipes, which are connected to a pair of flexi pipes, which in turn connect back to copper piping further down. There is a reasonable distance between the top of the sink and the copper piping which leads out of the cupboard, so not sure if the flexi pipes which come with a new tap would reach that far.

Cornucopia

bellissimo wrote: »

I wish I could upload a picture...

If you PM me the link to your photo(s), I will post them for you.

glennevis

Connect the new tap's tails to the copper pipe. If the flexi tails which come with your new mixer tap turn out to be too short, look at Screwfix (screwfix.com). They do flexi tails up to 900mm (3ft) long. Just need to ensure you get the right ends.

Cornucopia

Here are the OP's photos:-

bellissimo

Thanks Cornucopia! So I should connect the tap flexi pipes to the bottom two copper pipes as seen in the photo...

The second picture shows the plastic adaptor that I stripped the thread of. The aerator screws into the plastic adaptor, but seems to be well and truly jammed in there and I can't get the plastic adaptor off with any tools. Ideally I would just replace this plastic adaptor, but fear it is bespoke to the this old tap...

coffeehound

I doubt that the flexi pipes on the new tap will reach down to the rigid pipes; think you’ll need to connect them to the male union currently fitted to the existing flexi pipes.

I recently replaced a monobloc with what looked like the identical item. The flexi pipes on the new tap were two inches shorter than those on the old tap.

flashg67

I purchased longer flexi pipes to sort a similar problem. Worth buying an isolator at the same time which will fit before the flexi on the hot water side

Jonesya

Yeah fit an isolator to make it easier next time.

And while your working on the plumbing, it looks like you've got a leak on the compression waste fitting.