Thread: Tricky plumbing question

Ohhh dear MDub. You need a plumber, and then you can get to patch up the mess later!

The part you are describing is called a "combination" because that's what it does really, it allows one to screw in a tap body on each side, and the water flows in each direction to the centre bit, which usually is a logical place to put the spout.

To do the job properly, you need to cut out the combination, and connect each tail to the hot and cold water supply respectively. I suggest you get a plumber to do it, then satisfy your DIY urges by patching and cleaning the mess he's going to make.

OR depending on where the stuff is all situated, if it's below the sink you may be able to drop the whole catastrophe a bit, bung on your stop cocks (well actually there's nothing to stop you using the existing taps, cut the centre bit out of the combination, and solder in the mixer. I wouldn't recommend that route though!

I hope some of that is of use,

cheers,

P

Mdub,
if you can't get to the pipes you're stuffed. Usually (but not always) there's two threaded stubs coming through the wall underneath the sink. Sometimes though it's just pipe coming through the wall or up through the floor. You need to shut off the water supply, and either cut the copper pipes or remove the existing fittings of the threaded outlets. Then you'll need to fit stop cocks (regulations require individual stopcocks fitted to flickmixers) and fit the flickmixer to the sink. But it gets trickier.... the centre hole of the combination is smaller than the outer two and you won't get the flickmixer to fit in it. So, do you try to enlarge the centre hole and blank off the two outers or do you live with assymetry?

Like Midge said, you need to get a plumber. There's a good chance you'll end up wrecking the undersink cabinet from water leaks if you don't and there's a very good chance you'll spend an entire frustrating weekend trying to fix leaks or driving back and forth to the hardware store trying to explain to the sale staff what you want (without actually knowing if it exists, and, if it does, what it's called). Save your sanity and call a plumber.

Mick

Not sure if talking kitchen but you can replace the whole valve/s in each normal tap with 1/4 turn ones like they have in a lot of public buildings.

Cost about $20 each from tradelink(( bit dangerous with a standard knob off/full on in 1/4 turn) nice trendy ss lever handles cost me $60 for 2.


HJ0

Personally I dont like kitchen mixers, and I'll probably start a bun fight here, because they have only got a 5yr warranty on the ceramic discs (longer on the other parts) that wear out first.

I know a plumber who buys these things by the carton because with the ceramic repair kit being two thirds of the price of the complete article, its easier and cheaper to replace the whole unit every 6 or 7 yrs! which just for their stylish looks is pretty damn expensive.

Quarter turn ceramic disc tapware is only guaranteed for 2 yrs. Call me old fashioned but I still prefer the standard tapware.

Jack,
when my parents moved into their current house 23 years ago they had all the taps replaced by either flickmixers or quarter turn cartridges. About 10 years ago I replaced a cartridge in one of the flickmixers for about $30. I reckon there would have been quite a few standard washers replaced in the same time, as well as seats recut or with stainless inserts fitted.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

...regulations require individual stopcocks fitted to flickmixers

Didn't know that. I thought I was being a trend setter when I replaced the mixer in the kitchen last year and ended fitting two stop cocks just to get the tapered seat that the new mixer hoses required.

Any idea of the reasoning behind this regulation?

Dan,
don't know the reasoning behind the reg. but at a guess: If your standard tap leaks you can shut off the main and muck around with a reseater and washers etc and have it back on the road in half an hour or so. If your flickmixer dies it may take you a day or more to source a cartridge kit. Plus once you've replaced the cartridge or possibly the whole mixer you need to flush the lines before connecting them. With stopcock in place you can leave the water connected to the rest of the installation, plus at less than $5 each why wouldn't you fit them.

Mick

About 10 years ago I replaced a cartridge in one of the flickmixers for about $30. I reckon there would have been quite a few standard washers replaced in the same time, as well as seats recut or with stainless inserts fitted.

Mick, Tradelink plumbing supplies quoted me $65 for the ceramic repair kit, IF I could identify the brand as early imported ones arent available. Adding labour it becomes expensive, with no guarantee it will stop dripping. A new one costs around $90 and takes about 10mins to swap over.

Standard washers/seats are far simpler.

Jack,
Tradelink and Reece will really sting you if you don't have a trade account with them. I can get PVC pipe for about 50% of their prices from my hardware store. Standard washers are simpler to replace but will need replacing more often. Like I said, in 23 years we've had to replace one cartridge at my parent's place. If there was standard washer type taps fitted there would have been a lot more mucking around repairing/replacing stuff. Guess it comes down to personal preferences, my personal preference being to fix something properly once.

Mick

Well unfortunately Mick all mixers dont last as long as your folks did. If they did I guess warrantees would be doubled that of what they are now. I am basing my preference on the opinions of another plumber, the manager of my local Tradelink and the labour cost of fiddling around with one. Far different from doing a love job for your folks.

That price was with a trade account Mick, mine.

But in a forum we are allowed to have differing opinions, arent we?

Originally Posted by Jacksin

............But in a forum we are allowed to have differing opinions, arent we?

Sorry Jack , didn't mean to labour the point.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Mdub,
Then you'll need to fit stop cocks (regulations require individual stopcocks fitted to flickmixers)
Mick

You sure about that mick?, I do know that you have to check your water pressure and if it exceeds a particular amount to fit restricters, but stop cocks?

Hen,
definitely a requirement in Queensland. At about $7 for a pair of them, why wouldn't you fit them?

Mick

Yeh definately a regulation here too.