fibre washers - how long do they last?

[very_pointy_ears]

Hi,

How long do fibre washers last?

We've got a power shower in our bathroom. The water from the pump comes down a pipe that's hidden in a stud wall and then connects onto a pipe feeding a fixed head. The connection is inside the wall and seals with a fibre washer.

What's concerning me is that if the washer fails we'll have to rip open the wall and therefore end up having to re-plaster a section of wall.

I remember when I lived in a flat years ago, there were fibre washers in the cistern feed and these would need replacing every couple of years. I mentioned this to the bloke who fitted the bathroom but he insisted it wouldn't be a problem.

Before I fix plasterboard onto the other side of the wall, should I make efforts to replace the fibre washer with something else or should I stop worrying? I don't really fancy having to tear down the wall every 2 years to replace washers.

 

[seco services]

i never use fibre washer fittings on showers enclosed in walls always use male iron fittings

 

[chrishutt]

Be glad that you have nothing more important to worry about.

 

[JohnD]

I am just a householder but I agree it is folly to sink showers into walls and tile over them. Sooner or later they all go wrong.

I think there is a lot to be said for a surface-mounted shower fed by chromed surface-mounted pipes. What's wrong with seeing pipes and taps in a bathroom?

Or you could use a removable marine-ply panel if you like. It can be tiled, and you can seal the joints with white silicone that you can cut away when it has to come off.

 

[very_pointy_ears]

Be glad that you have nothing more important to worry about.

Actually, it's one of many things ...

 

[very_pointy_ears]

i never use fibre washer fittings on showers enclosed in walls always use male iron fittings

Male iron fittings? I've never heard of those before. Something like this?

http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-id-101560-Vemco-15mm-Male-Iron-Elbow.html

I'd always assumed those were brass!

 

[twgas]

the thread on it is BSP known to most as 'iron' because it was always used on steel pipe

 

[chrishutt]

Fibre washers are fine, good for 25 years if installed properly and left undisturbed.

 

[bengasman]

Any diy work should be accessible for repairs.
Thermostatic showers should always be accessible

 

[very_pointy_ears]

Depends what you mean by DIY - I'd call it DIH because the fitter did it himself

The shower pumps are easily accesible though without having to undo anything.

 

[JohnD]

One of my old buddies I visited at Christmas was cursing his leaking shower pump.

20 years ago when he was thin and agile he hid it under the back of his corner bath.

now...

 

[very_pointy_ears]

I'm impressed that it lasted 20 years!