Replacing Imperial Garden Tap question

[sololite]

Hello,

I hope you are all well and thanks for looking.

I want to replace our imperial garden tap with a metric one that complies with current regs.

The old tap screws off leaving a nut attached to a short piece of pipe sticking out the wall. See pic.

I am incapable of doing anything other than compression fittings or pushfit and with the lockdown I will struggle to take the tap to a plumbers merchant for an opinion and buy one so am wanting to try and buy online.

My question is , can you buy a tap that will screw into the existing imperial nut and how do I know what size/thread I need?

Thanks for all replies.

Regards

Chris

 

[JohnD]

modern garden taps still come in imperial measurements, usually half inch.

example

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Brass-Garden-Tap-With-Double-Check-Valve---12mm/p/420055

it is pretty well certain that it will screw onto your old connector

wrap some PTFE tape round the thread, so that when screwed tightly enough to jam, the tap is upright.

The brass nozzle fits a hosepipe, but you can unscrew it and various plastoc or brass accessories will screw on. Brass ones are better. Often sold in Spring in hardware or gardening shops and aldi, in sets. You can get some that click on, which is very convenient.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

It's the connection through the wall that matters, provided you have a 1/2" female iron there, as John has said, the new tap will simply screw in. Use PTFE tape to ensure a watertight seal. Advise you ensure the female fitting does not move by holding it firmly with a spanner before attempting to undo the existing tap. You will need the type with a integral double check valve to comply with modern regs, as per the link.

 

[sololite]

Thanks John and Hugh. That sounds like exactly what I need. I think my Dad has a load of old fittings I can try out to confirm the thread. I've already has the tap off and on so hopefully all will be well.

Regards

Chris

 

[terryplumb]

When you removed the tap ,you said there was a nut on the pipe . Was there also an olive ,and the nut could slide along the pipe , or rotate on the pipe ?

 

[sololite]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for taking an interest. The nut stayed on the pipe . It could rotate and slide back and forth a couple of cm but wouldn't slide off as it seemed to be retained in some way. I didn't see an olive.

Regards,

Chris

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Can we have a pic of this pipe and nut please? You may need an additional fitting to go on the pipe, to which to fit the new tap.

 

[terryplumb]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for taking an interest. The nut stayed on the pipe . It could rotate and slide back and forth a couple of cm but wouldn't slide off as it seemed to be retained in some way. I didn't see an olive.

Regards,

Chris

Then you will not be able to connect the taps that are linked above directly to what you have ,without conversion.
You probably need to totally upgrade what you have. The taps with integral check valve tend to freeze in winter and the check valves no longer function .You should have a double check valve on the supply pipe ,within the fabric of the building ,and an isolation valve upstream of it .

 

[JimCrow]

That looks like a 1/2" Female Iron x CU Straight at the wall, remove the hex from the back of the old tap and the new tap will screw into that, then refit to the nut at the wall.

 

[terryplumb]

That looks like a 1/2" Female Iron x CU Straight at the wall, remove the hex from the back of the old tap and the new tap will screw into that, then refit to the nut at the wall.

Could well be Jim ,well spotted.

 

[sololite]

You guys are amazing taking your time to help me, thank you. I took the tap off again and took some pics. I see the olive on the pipe now. Do you still think I can use a new tap to screw into the old nut?

 

[terryplumb]

As Jim crow advised above ,the hexagonal shape ,that's still attached to your tap ,has to be undone from the tap. It is then fitted to the nut and olive that is still on the pipe ( they are together a complete fitting ).
Your new tap will then screw on.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Or if it wont undo, simply replace it. https://www.screwfix.com/p/compression-adapting-female-coupler-15mm-x/93992

 

[sololite]

Picked up a tap from screwfix and put some ptfe tape on the thread before tightening while supporting the fitting. All good. Thanks for all your help. Stay safe. Regards Chris