Monobloc tap unable to tighten on ceramic sink

[johnbuckley]

Have a new monobloc kitchen tap and ceramic sink; have fitted plenty in the past and never had a problem until now!

Fitted the tap and tightened as much as I'm able and the tap body turns fairly easily in the sink; seems like the rubber o ring in the tap base just doesn't grip the ceramic.

Fitted it to the old stainless steel sink just to see and I can sighten it securely.

For info I've attached an image of the parts in the order they are fitted.

Sink and all parts have been cleaned to ensure there's no grease.

I could get a new tap although I guess the issue would remain.

I'd be grateful for any advice as this has completely frustrated me.

Thanks
John

 

[CountryFan]

I think one of the rubber seals needs to be on the ceramic side, not underneath

 

[opps]

I think one of the rubber seals needs to be on the ceramic side, not underneath

You mean the underside of the ceramic?

 

[johnbuckley]

Do you mean between the underneath of the sink and the white plastic thing?
The way that it is in my image is the way that the tap instructions laid it out.
I tried leaving the plastic bit out and just used rubber washer, steel washer and then tightening; it was tighter but still could turn the tap body by hand fairly easily.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Since the regs have been relaxed to such an extent that anything goes, far too many fittings from all around the world have found their way here. A good stout metal thread with a good brass chunky back nut as per the old British traditional way of plumbing cannot be beaten.
All I can suggest is to find a suitably sized metal spacing washer to place between the tap body and the top surface of the sink top and tighten up on that as a gripping surface. All this plastic malarkey is just not good enough for proper plumbing

 

[oldbuffer]

1. Not sure if it helps, but you don't need the triangular thing with a ceramic sink, they are only really useful with stainless steel.
2. I'd try a brass back nut (assuming your one is plastic) and omit all the other washers. The seal is made between the O ring in the base of the tap (above the ceramic)

 

[johnbuckley]

Thanks all; going to try a brass nut insted of the one supplied and also leave the plastic spacer to see if that sorts it.

 

[opps]

Since the regs have been relaxed to such an extent that anything goes, far too many fittings from all around the world have found their way here. A good stout metal thread with a good brass chunky back nut as per the old British traditional way of plumbing cannot be beaten.
All I can suggest is to find a suitably sized metal spacing washer to place between the tap body and the top surface of the sink top and tighten up on that as a gripping surface. All this plastic malarkey is just not good enough for proper plumbing

The OP said that it works fine with their stainless sink.

I would be inclined to suspect that the top hole in the ceramic sink dips down too much for the o-ring to gain any traction.

 

[opps]

Thanks all; going to try a brass nut insted of the one supplied and also leave the plastic spacer to see if that sorts it.

I am not a plumber. I think the wide nylon fitting is designed, primarily, for thin ss sinks. It helps to reduce deformation. In your case I would expect a brass back nut with a nylon washer might be a better option- assuming that you have one to hand.

 

[johnbuckley]

I am not a plumber. I think the wide nylon fitting is designed, primarily, for thin ss sinks. It helps to reduce deformation. In your case I would expect a brass back nut with a nylon washer might be a better option- assuming that you have one to hand.

Thanks for that, yes I'd come to that conclusion re the plastic spacer and also reinforced above. Just ordered a brass back nut, hopefully it fits and it gives me that little bit extra tightening torque.

 

[oldbuffer]

Monument do a "Stickfast" washer to help in such situations. See BES Item No. 19700. However, if it really requires their installation tool it's not worth it for a one off.

 

[CountryFan]

You mean the underside of the ceramic?

The tap side of the ceramic

 

[CountryFan]

Do you mean between the underneath of the sink and the white plastic thing?
The way that it is in my image is the way that the tap instructions laid it out.
I tried leaving the plastic bit out and just used rubber washer, steel washer and then tightening; it was tighter but still could turn the tap body by hand fairly easily.

No, I mean the tap and ceramic. Can you post the instructions?

 

[johnbuckley]

No, I mean the tap and ceramic. Can you post the instructions?

Here are the instructions for what they're worth

 

[johnbuckley]

The OP said that it works fine with their stainless sink.

I would be inclined to suspect that the top hole in the ceramic sink dips down too much for the o-ring to gain any traction.

Had a quick look at that and the area that the o ring would sit is nice and flat, no dipping.
I'm hoping that, due to the design of the tap, I just can't tighten it enough whilst under the sink; so swapping for a brass nut will help