Installing new bath tap, guidance appreciated.

[Sharpey]

Hello all.

I've got a bath filler monoblock tap to install. I'm a novice so I thought I'd ask for some advice.

Here's a pic of what I need to connect up.

Prior to this there were a couple of bent copper pipes coming out of the feeds attached to a couple of flexible connectors going into the old tap. But the new tap can only take the rigid ones pictured (the internal threads are large, maybe M16 so I can't get appropriate flexibles). Access as you can see is restrictive so what do the good folk on here think is the best way to go about this?
Could something like this do the job?

Thanks for any help

 

[oldbuffer]

1. The ideal way to do it is by bending copper tube to go from the end of the new pieces into the isolation valves. Could probably be done with a bending spring. 9Internal, looks like 15 mm pipe)
2. However, if that's not an option, you could try a flexible plumbing "stick", such as Screwfix item No. 61598. Note that is 300 mm long and cannot be shortened. You shouldn't bend it through too tight a bend, You could shorten the new tap's pipes, but leave at least 50 mm of 15mm pipe. The part nearest the tap is usually narrower.
3. There id a similar product at 150 mm long from Toolstation.
4. Fir any of the above remove the stubs from the isolation valves, and connect from the isolation valve to the new pipe. You will need:
4.1 Two new olives for the isolation valves.
4.2 Two connectors to connect to the new tap's pipes. If you aren't keen on soldering, use compression couplers. E.g. Screwfix 95828. Buy two of that item and you get the spare olives needed and a spare coupler.

 

[Sharpey]

Thanks for the suggestion.
My concern with such a solution is that I don't really think I have the space to achieve it. The picture doesn't really capture how hard it is to get to the back. I can only really get one arm in. I wouldn't be able to do it in situ and if I did it from above I don't think I'd be able to feed the new setup through the tap hole. Also, there's no way to disassemble if the tap happens to leak from where the tails enter (upon testing). I'd have to just hope everything works as it's supposed to.

It's probably an easy job for a professional but maybe a stretch for me. I might have to consider getting one in if there's not a simple DIY type fix.

 

[CountryFan]

I might have to consider getting one in if there's not a simple DIY type fix.

I would do this personally. We as Plumbers see solutions that others can’t and as recommended above, best practice would be to bend copper pipe and couple of fittings. You can get flexible copper, but limited to length. Some flexi hoses are prone to splitting.

 

[Burnerman]

Maybe you’d like to consider flexible copper ‘plumbing sticks’ from Screwfix?
Caution, very thin copper at the ends that can be prone to crushing, but they take 15 ( or 22mm) fittings perfectly.
John

 

[Sharpey]

Well I gave it a go and seemed to have managed to not make a total bodge of it. All seems to be working well.

PXL_20250108_190502424.jpg

• Sharpey
• 9 Jan 2025

I've noticed a leak coming out of the overflow pipe though. It's old and knackered now so I think I'm just going to replace it. It's one of those pop up style ones where you twist the control knob.

PXL_20250109_131031464.jpg

• Sharpey
• 9 Jan 2025

PXL_20250109_124652545.jpg

• Sharpey
• 9 Jan 2025

PXL_20250109_131138553.jpg

• Sharpey
• 9 Jan 2025

Is it OK to replace this with a regular plug style one? As in just twist off the overflow, install the new one and screw it in to the existing trap? I don't really fancy installing a whole new strainer etc but I notice the current one has got a wire hanging out of it for the pop up mechanism. Is that going to be an issue?

Thanks for any help.

 

[CountryFan]

You might want to try tightening the overflow first, otherwise you'll need to replace parts like for like or the whole waste/overflow combined assembly.

As for the copper pipework that's a nice neat job.

 

[Sharpey]

You might want to try tightening the overflow first, otherwise you'll need to replace parts like for like or the whole waste/overflow combined assembly.

As for the copper pipework that's a nice neat job.

Thanks!

That's a bummer. I'll play around with the existing one first and see how it goes.