Kitchen Tap Help

devofash

Hi guys, 

Need a bit of advise on changing the kitchen tap (see attached). In some of the videos I have seen, they all use flexible pipe that connect to tap and then metal pipe, however as you can see on mine its pipe then flexible and the bit which you don't see, is that it connects to metal pipe.

Question is with the new tap will I be able to keep the same fitting or am I better off with new flexible pipes?

I also do not see a nut that holds the tap, so how can I remove it?

Experience wise I am quite handy and like to fix things, just need some guidance.

Needs a good clean due to a leak from the sink which went un-noticed for a while.

Would be greatful if someone can assist. 

Thanks. 

Ebe_Scrooge

Hard to tell from the photos.  In general, flexi-pipes are regarded as a bit of a "cheat" - but, they're bloomin' handy for DIY purposes.  You should be able to to do a straight like-for-like swap.  Though if it were me, I'd stick a service valve on each feed pipe whilst you're at it - makes life so much easier in the future if you need to change a washer or whatever, and they cost peanuts.

devofash

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Hard to tell from the photos.  In general, flexi-pipes are regarded as a bit of a "cheat" - but, they're bloomin' handy for DIY purposes.  You should be able to to do a straight like-for-like swap.  Though if it were me, I'd stick a service valve on each feed pipe whilst you're at it - makes life so much easier in the future if you need to change a washer or whatever, and they cost peanuts.

Thanks, got those on both hot and cold pipes luckily, that's the bit not shown in the picture. So you are saying I should be able to connect new tap with the pipe - then flexible and pipe again ( same setting?)

Any idea about the removal process, can't see a nut that holds the tap?

Ebe_Scrooge

devofash said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Hard to tell from the photos.  In general, flexi-pipes are regarded as a bit of a "cheat" - but, they're bloomin' handy for DIY purposes.  You should be able to to do a straight like-for-like swap.  Though if it were me, I'd stick a service valve on each feed pipe whilst you're at it - makes life so much easier in the future if you need to change a washer or whatever, and they cost peanuts.

Any idea about the removal process, can't see a nut that holds the tap?

Oh Gawd. It's so different for each manufacturer.  Usually, there's a (large-ish) nut under the sink that holds the tap in place.  Can you see anything obvious?

devofash

Ebe_Scrooge said:

devofash said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Hard to tell from the photos.  In general, flexi-pipes are regarded as a bit of a "cheat" - but, they're bloomin' handy for DIY purposes.  You should be able to to do a straight like-for-like swap.  Though if it were me, I'd stick a service valve on each feed pipe whilst you're at it - makes life so much easier in the future if you need to change a washer or whatever, and they cost peanuts.

Any idea about the removal process, can't see a nut that holds the tap?

Oh Gawd. It's so different for each manufacturer.  Usually, there's a (large-ish) nut under the sink that holds the tap in place.  Can you see anything obvious?

Nope, probably need to tidy up and have another look. Updated with another pic and question.

FreeBear

devofash said: Any idea about the removal process, can't see a nut that holds the tap?

Difficult to tell for sure due to the buildup of crud, but there looks like a large circlip is holding the tap in place...

The last mixer tap I purchased came with a pair of flexi hoses which were a doddle to hook up to the existing service taps/valves. They are not particularly long, so you might need to extend your rigid (copper ?) pipes.

devofash

FreeBear said:

devofash said: Any idea about the removal process, can't see a nut that holds the tap?

Difficult to tell for sure due to the buildup of crud, but there looks like a large circlip is holding the tap in place...

The last mixer tap I purchased came with a pair of flexi hoses which were a doddle to hook up to the existing service taps/valves. They are not particularly long, so you might need to extend your rigid (copper ?) pipes.

Will I be able to get longer ones or can I some how connect the new flexi ones with the exisiting ones?

Does extending copper pipes require welding? Not sure I have the tools for that. 

shiraz99

Looking closely at the first picture you actually have a horseshoe bracket there which will probably have a single nut coming off it that holds the tap in place. Could we see the actual tap from above?

You best replacing the solid pipe so your new tap can be connected via a flexi tail. You'd also want to install some isolation valves on the pipes as well.

BUFF

those solid copper tails probably screw into the existing tap base. The flexible hose looks to be fitted with push-fit fittings (perhaps John Guest).

shiraz99

BUFF said:

those solid copper tails probably screw into the existing tap base. The flexible hose looks to be fitted with push-fit fittings (perhaps John Guest).

Yeah, I noticed that too. You could in theory recuse the sold tails without much hassle if the push-fit connectors are in good condition, unfortunately there's that much crud on them it's hard to tell.

A pic of where they actually connect to the copper pipes would be helpful.

devofash

shiraz99 said:

BUFF said:

those solid copper tails probably screw into the existing tap base. The flexible hose looks to be fitted with push-fit fittings (perhaps John Guest).

Yeah, I noticed that too. You could in theory recuse the sold tails without much hassle if the push-fit connectors are in good condition, unfortunately there's that much crud on them it's hard to tell.

A pic of where they actually connect to the copper pipes would be helpful.

Thanks. Updated the original post.