Outside tap Please Help

[LucyBee]

see image here
https://www.screwfix.com/p/outside-...QQ91n4bBoND52RvoDEhoCz3cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
notice on bottom the screwfix one is different to yours

and at toolstation
https://www.toolstation.com/search?q=outside tap double check

I fitted double checks inside as was reading about tap issues on freezing , and I also wanted Lever operated outside taps , as we get older , easier to work

Looks like I’ve been had

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I have seen a lot worse, too many 'Handypeople' offering 'Plumbing' as one of their services, who dont seem to have the first clue about what is actually correct to comply with regs. A few compression fittings cobbled together with a few bits of 15mm pipe and a Bibtap on the end seems to pass for an 'Outside Tap' round here.

 

[LucyBee]

I have seen a lot worse, too many 'Handypeople' offering 'Plumbing' as one of their services, who have the first clue about what is actually correct to comply with regs. A few compression fittings cobbled together with a few bits of 15mm pipe and a Bibtap on the end seems to pass for an 'Outside Tap' round here.

Please can you tell me what need to be done to sort this out

 

[denso13]

Please can you tell me what need to be done to sort this out

Yes, a double check valve after the isolation valve.

 

[LucyBee]

Does it need a sleeve ?

 

[denso13]

Does it need a sleeve ?

No.

 

[LucyBee]

So stressful. Thank you.

 

[ETAF]

i'm not a plumber, but as denso13 said in an earlier post , just make sure the check valve goes between the isolator and tap - that way - if the double check valve does go wrong , its a simple job to isolate and replace - I have read double check valves can go faulty quite frequently

 

[Madrab]

Seen a lot worse in my time. Does it follow the absolutely correct way an outside tap should be fitted in relation to the water regulations (WRAS) .... no ..... is it a nightmare of a job .... not really.

To be correct in the eyes of WRAS then an outside tap should follow the guidelines and have an internal isolation, a double check valve (for backflow protection) and depending on how the pipework is arranged a drain off point all before the pipe exits the house. Taps with integrated check valves aren't WRAS approved any more as they were found to freeze in the winter rendering the check valve inoperable, therefore wouldn't give the critical backflow protection for the mains drinking water it was designed to provide.

If you isolate that tap in the winter & open it to drain it and leave it open then as long as it has an integrated valve then it should be ok and perform it's backflow protection, the trouble is most people don't isolate and drain down their outside tap before it freezes, therefore the integrated check valve doesn't do it's job any more.

As suggested previously though the tap that's been fitted may not actually have the integrated valve, can you take a side on pic of the tap and take off the end piece off the spout and take a picture looking into the spout. If it doesn't have the integrated valve then it hasn't been installed properly and you won't have any backflow protection (this is the important part) and you would have a justified grievance with the installer.

 

[LucyBee]

Seen a lot worse in my time. Does it follow the absolutely correct way an outside tap should be fitted in relation to the water regulations (WRAS) .... no ..... is it a nightmare of a job .... not really.

To be correct in the eyes of WRAS then an outside tap should follow the guidelines and have an internal isolation, a double check valve (for backflow protection) and depending on how the pipework is arranged a drain off point all before the pipe exits the house. Taps with integrated check valves aren't WRAS approved any more as they were found to freeze in the winter rendering the check valve inoperable, therefore wouldn't give the critical backflow protection for the mains drinking water it was designed to provide.

If you isolate that tap in the winter & open it to drain it and leave it open then as long as it has an integrated valve then it should be ok and perform it's backflow protection, the trouble is most people don't isolate and drain down their outside tap before it freezes, therefore the integrated check valve doesn't do it's job any more.

As suggested previously though the tap that's been fitted may not actually have the integrated valve, can you take a side on pic of the tap and take off the end piece off the spout and take a picture looking into the spout. If it doesn't have the integrated valve then it hasn't been installed properly and you won't have any backflow protection (this is the important part) and you would have a justified grievance with the installer.

Thank you for that. I will be back home in 2 hours and will post you some photos then. I appreciate all this help so much. Thank you all

 

[denso13]

So stressful. Thank you.

You really just need a double check valve internally and all is good. I can't seem to link to the WRAS legislation at the moment.

 

[ETAF]

https://www.waterregsuk.co.uk/

 

[denso13]

https://www.waterregsuk.co.uk/

Usual links to specific info don't seem to work.

 

[LucyBee]

Seen a lot worse in my time. Does it follow the absolutely correct way an outside tap should be fitted in relation to the water regulations (WRAS) .... no ..... is it a nightmare of a job .... not really.

To be correct in the eyes of WRAS then an outside tap should follow the guidelines and have an internal isolation, a double check valve (for backflow protection) and depending on how the pipework is arranged a drain off point all before the pipe exits the house. Taps with integrated check valves aren't WRAS approved any more as they were found to freeze in the winter rendering the check valve inoperable, therefore wouldn't give the critical backflow protection for the mains drinking water it was designed to provide.

If you isolate that tap in the winter & open it to drain it and leave it open then as long as it has an integrated valve then it should be ok and perform it's backflow protection, the trouble is most people don't isolate and drain down their outside tap before it freezes, therefore the integrated check valve doesn't do it's job any more.

As suggested previously though the tap that's been fitted may not actually have the integrated valve, can you take a side on pic of the tap and take off the end piece off the spout and take a picture looking into the spout. If it doesn't have the integrated valve then it hasn't been installed properly and you won't have any backflow protection (this is the important part) and you would have a justified grievance with the installer.

 

[denso13]

That one doesn't have an in built check valve. Irrespective of that you still need one inside.