bristan 1901 washers too loose.

[David P]

I have just got around to fixing a bristan 1901 handbasin tap (hot) that has been getting increasingly hard to turn off.

The old washer was brittle and half worn through, the seat looked OK, but i polished it with a seating tool just to make sure, no apparent erosion.

When it came to replacing the washer, I found that none of the new 3/4" washers that I have fit very well - in other words they have a central hole that is too big to fit snugly on the washer lug - I searched around for some older washers and they were as bad - basically the washers weren't even tight enough on the lug to stay in place while the tap valve assembly was turned right way up to screw it in.

It was possible to put the washer centered on the seat and then offer up the valve assembly and get the washer seated that way.

The upshot is that the tap works fine, except it really does need to be firmly tightened - the main reason that I had a go at the tap was that my elderly mother wasn't strong enough to turn it on when its so tightly done up.

What I want to know is:
a) is it common for washers to be a very loose fit on the lug - so loose that they fall off? - anything that cann be done about it?

b) should Bristan 1901 taps be that hard to shut? - is there any trick to make them work more lightly?

thanks in advance.

 

[clf-gas]

You've fitted the wrong type of tap washer, full stop

 

[David P]

You've fitted the wrong type of tap washer, full stop

would you mind elaborating on that? please.

 

[clf-gas]

Washer wont stay on retaining lug when tap workings are inverted, means its the wrong washer.
The retaining lug is there to lift washer off tap seating and hold in central position.

 

[ChrisR]

You need a standard Holdtite washer,

not a Delta, or a Tantofex.

If you buy a tap washer selection box, you'll get lots.

If it's just a bit loose, stick it in place with silicone.
You could also try winding a load of ptfe tape round the centre knob to make it tighter.

 

[David P]

You need a standard Holdtite washer,

not a Delta, or a Tantofex.

If you buy a tap washer selection box, you'll get lots.

If it's just a bit loose, stick it in place with silicone.
You could also try winding a load of ptfe tape round the centre knob to make it tighter.

Thanks chris.
The one that I used looked just like that but has "vacca" written on it.

I did think about wrapping with ptfe but really just wanted to know whether it was common to have to do that.
I just took a look at the bristan range site, and it seems odd that a handbasin tap has a 3/4 washer at all.

 

[KGS]

Hi,

I'm new to DIYnot and am not too sure how things work.
I'm trying to replace washers on 1901 taps and can't find out how to get at the washer. I've taken the cap off and removed the screw to enable the top part to pull off. I've then undone the nut at the top of the tap body but then I'm stuck.

Can you offer me any help?

Regards,

Keith Shaw