How to renovate "ornamental" taps?

[Roger465]

Couldn't think of a better way to describe these. They date from 1994, so drip, squeak etc. The hot tap in the hand basin is actually quite weird… it only turns about an eighth of a turn at all, lock to lock – and you have to turn it the wrong way (ie clockwise) to get water to come out!



I’m trying to learn very basic plumbing, and what I’d like to do here is take these units apart and fit new washers, or ceramic units, or whatever’s inside them. Is that practical, or are there likely to be bits and pieces I don’t know about, which could be worn or wrecked, so make replacement of the whole unit necessary?



And if I can, how the **** do you get the tops off the taps in the hand basin?



Thanks

 

[Madrab]

Your bath taps, the indices should screw off and let you get to the screw below to remove the cross head. The Basin tap is another story, they may just pull off

 

[Hot&Cold]

And if I can, how the **** do you get the tops off the taps in the hand basin?

They usually just pull straight off,the cartridge is screwed to a splined plastic insert which locates and locks the fancy handle in position.

some pictures here re splined plastic insert.http://www.plumbers-mate-sales.co.u...t-tap-heads---pack-of-2---58600201-3003-p.asp

 

[Roger465]

Thanks guys. Umm... me being me, whatever I pull or unscrew will result in a Noah's Ark - style phenomenon. I know where the main stopcock is, but how do I isolate the hot water tank in case it's the hot tap I break in half...?

 

[JohnD]

Thanks guys. Umm... me being me, whatever I pull or unscrew will result in a Noah's Ark - style phenomenon

Lots of animals walk into your house?

"If this rain keeps up, we'll have to eat the unicorns"

 

[Roger465]

Lots of animals walk into your house?

"If this rain keeps up, we'll have to eat the unicorns"

Was that The Simpsons...?

 

[RigidRaider]

Those old fake Victorian taps are horrible; by the time you've messed around trying to refurbish them you might as well replace them with modern taps. If you don't plan to stay long in the house buy cheap from a shed, if you do plan to stay, buy a decent brand. Make sure you buy taps suitable for your system, high or low pressure.

 

[Roger465]

Those old fake Victorian taps are horrible; by the time you've messed around trying to refurbish them you might as well replace them with modern taps. If you don't plan to stay long in the house buy cheap from a shed, if you do plan to stay, buy a decent brand. Make sure you buy taps suitable for your system, high or low pressure.

Thanks - beginning to think you're right. Also, I've replaced the other bathroom fittings with fake antique chrome ones, so the gold taps don't really match.

Planning to stay here for life... how do I tell if my house is high or low pressure?

PS and where would be the best place to buy decent quality taps etc?

Thanks

 

[RigidRaider]

I think - and others might correct me here - that an old-fashioned open vented system is low pressure because it relies only on the head of water whereas a modern unvented system with a heat store will be pressurised. Hope that's right.

As for buying, it ought to be possible to get good brands from the internet although when I fitted out our bathrooms I got everything by Aqualisa and Crosswater from a Lancashire supplier called Boundary Bathrooms who gave me a decent discount (although I'm sure they all jack up the prices before granting discounts to anybody who asks!)

 

[Hot&Cold]

I think - and others might correct me here - that an old-fashioned open vented system is low pressure because it relies only on the head of water whereas a modern unvented system with a heat store will be pressurised. Hope that's right.

Nearly 100% correct,have seen many new build estates (private£££) this year now install standard gravity systems due to 1 reason 'cost' last year they only installed unvented cylinder systems.

They do offer unvented as an extra ing upgrade,rooks.

Traditional uk gravity hot/cold systems have been around for years,they work as intended,until a smart arse comes along and fits taps not suitable inc mixer taps with shower attachments .

so taps have to meet the water product they are attached to. i would view uk gravity systems as extra low pressure to be on the safe side.

just means less of a choice in taps for uk - low gravity feed.

 

[Roger465]

Traditional uk gravity hot/cold systems have been around for years,they work as intended,until a smart arse comes along and fits taps not suitable inc mixer taps with shower attachments .

so taps have to meet the water product they are attached to. i would view uk gravity systems as extra low pressure to be on the safe side.

just means less of a choice in taps for uk - low gravity feed.

So... how can I find out what I've got, system wise? House is in Northern Ireland if that's relevant, was built in 1994. Everything is original, which is why it's all in such a sorry state

I'd have to say, subjectively, that the pressure seems quite low to me. Will the cold be coming from a tank BECAUSE it's low?

 

[oilboffin]

Pegler or bristan taps for me damm good quality.Bob

 

[RigidRaider]

This thread probably explains why the hot water flow in my taps has always been so crap, from before we refurbished the house.

 

[Roger465]

So... looks like I have this big tank in my attic, which feeds all cold taps except the one in the kitchen, which comes straight off the rising main.

If I decide to have a go at changing the bathroom taps myself, how do I find/identify the valves to isolate that and the hot water cistern?

Thanks

 

[RigidRaider]

There should be a gate valve on the cold inlet at the bottom of the hot water cylinder.

The cold water tank in your attic should have a valve on the outflow. If it doesn't you might have to reach inside and bung the hole but that might disturb lots of sediment. Whatever valves you find, take the time to label them for future reference.

Removing the bath panel or looking under the basin might just reveal ball-type isolators but take care when closing these not to press hard on the screwdriver or the ball will leak.