How to fit a replacement tap

[stealthwolf]

We have a Franke Danube tap. It started dripping last year and was a nightmare to change cartridges:

http://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/tap-ceramic-cartridge-hell.458799/

But it's started leaking again. So either I can replace the cartridges again (but this time order a body bush), or I can replace the tap.

The current version seems to come with flexi tails rather than copper pipes. But my current set up is this:

The extra pipe goes to what would be a dishwasher feed. We don't have one but we plan to buy one.

The tails will probably be too short to reach the isolation valves. So what's the next best thing?

Fit a compression fitting on the feeds above the weld points?
Remove everything back to isolation valves and start again?
Somehow desolder the old fitting and reuse?

 

[oldbuffer]

Your question is impossible to answer fully without knowing how far down the flexible hoses for the new tap reach.

However, once connected to the pipework the flexible hoses must not have any sharp bends nor must they be twisted. If I were doing this, and couldn't connect to the vertical copper via 15mm / 1/2" male compression irons, then with limited tools I think I'd:

1. HOT: Cut the pipe immediately to the left of the elbow taking the pipe up vertically. Replace the soldered elbow with a compression elbow, a short piece of 15mm copper to a 15mm / 1/2" compression male iron, then the hot flexi to the 1/2" side.
2. COLD: Cut the pipe immediately to the left of the tee. Insert a compression tee, and extend the pipe to the dishwasher with a compression straight coupler. A short piece of 15mm copper to a 15mm / 1/2" compression male iron, then the cold flexi to the 1/2" side.

The above all assumes the flexi's end with 1/2" BSP female connectors with built in rubber washers. If they are 3/8" then use 15 mm/ 3/8" BSP male irons at the end of the copper runs. If they have 15mm compression fittings on the end, you don't need the irons.

An "iron" is a threaded brass connector - why they are called "irons" is beyond me.

 

[jeff the gasman]

Your question is impossible to answer fully without knowing how far down the flexible hoses for the new tap reach.

However, once connected to the pipework the flexible hoses must not have any sharp bends nor must they be twisted. If I were doing this, and couldn't connect to the vertical copper via 15mm / 1/2" male compression irons, then with limited tools I think I'd:

1. HOT: Cut the pipe immediately to the left of the elbow taking the pipe up vertically. Replace the soldered elbow with a compression elbow, a short piece of 15mm copper to a 15mm / 1/2" compression male iron, then the hot flexi to the 1/2" side.
2. COLD: Cut the pipe immediately to the left of the tee. Insert a compression tee, and extend the pipe to the dishwasher with a compression straight coupler. A short piece of 15mm copper to a 15mm / 1/2" compression male iron, then the cold flexi to the 1/2" side.

The above all assumes the flexi's end with 1/2" BSP female connectors with built in rubber washers. If they are 3/8" then use 15 mm/ 3/8" BSP male irons at the end of the copper runs. If they have 15mm compression fittings on the end, you don't need the irons.

An "iron" is a threaded brass connector - why they are called "irons" is beyond me.

Because the thread will mate with an iron pipe. That's why.

 

[stealthwolf]

You can see the flexi tails here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162249996962

Though admittedly no measurements. I was thinking off chopping off the pipes above the couplers and adding a compression fitting. I don't think the flexis will be long enough to reach the elbow join.

 

[dilalio]

One the advantages of a plumber doing this is that he will have a stock of assorted fittings, in the van, to do this in one visit (most times) for a diy-er it's a case of "oh 80110X!" another hours trip to ScrewFix and back, I'm afraid