Mixer Tap fitting in kitchen sink - tight space

[JamesKenton]

Hi, my 2nd query (not as desparate as my first)! is I am wanting to fit new taps to my kitchen sink (mixer taps). The old ones are very stiff and I cannot get the head off so want a nice new pair.

Basically, the space underneath the sink is very tight, I cannot get in there very easily, and wondered if there was anything I could do to make fitting them easier.

They have a little nut that secures the tap to the sink, and I am thinking of using 12mm flexy pipes. Will this be OK? Is there anything I can do to make fitting them easier please?

Thanks for your help with my 2 posts,

All the best

 

[dextrous]

The flexi will be fine and will come with the tap as standard. Get yourself a set of box spanners (B&Q will do these as well as plumber's merchannts), a bit like a load of time served plumbers will have, since these make tightening the back nut a lot easier.

 

[JamesKenton]

Thanks again for your kind help dextrous. I have a set of 3 box spanner (monobloc spanners) and a tommy bar which I will use, I boguht these years ago when I changed the mixer in the bathroom.

Will push fit flexy's be ok, or should I go for compression, seeing is space is tight, are push fit OK?

I have heard they can blow or split though, is this true?

The taps I have do not have flexy's only rigid pipes (2 rods), so I will have to go and buy the flexy's separate.

 

[dextrous]

Unless you have an abnormally high pressure, speedfit flexis will be fine, although I prefer compression. Are there any local isolator valves nearby - if not then now would be a good time to fit them.

 

[JamesKenton]

So high pressure mains is not good for flexy's?

I have no service valve, I will need to turn off the main stopcock and gate valve on the feed to the hot water cylinder. It's good to fit them I suppose for future maintenance?