Taps & hoses

[phykell]

I just fitted some new basin taps. There was no problem apart from the flexible steel braided hoses that appear to be a compression fit. When removing them, I was expecting a fibre washer or similar but instead, someone had applied some sort of sealant inside. When I went to refit the hoses, I wound plenty of PTFE around the threads (there was none when I removed the old taps), and tightened them up. The hot tap seems fine but I really had to wind on the nut onto the cold tap to stop it leaking. Is this a problem or is this typical? Should there really be a fibre washer?

 

[Bahco]

There should be a fibre washer although I have purchased flexis from Screwfix that have rubber washers inbuilt and had no problems

 

[phykell]

There should be a fibre washer although I have purchased flexis from Screwfix that have rubber washers inbuilt and had no problems

OK, so sounds like I'm missing the fibre washers. I wonder if I can buy these as separate items?

 

[masona]

I wonder if I can buy these as separate items?

Normally a rubber washer type,a plumber merchants will sell them.

 

[peter anderson]

why do tap connectors have fibre rather than rubber washers? Is fibre less likely to deteriorate than rubber?

 

[taydo]

probably cheaper

I use ones now that are just a clear bit of plastic

 

[AdamW]

why do tap connectors have fibre rather than rubber washers? Is fibre less likely to deteriorate than rubber?

Possibly fibre swells slightly and fill any gaps better. Didn't they used to make them from asbestos though?