wd40 and taps (and worried customer)

[tamz]

Jennie used the wd40 on an old stopcock to help free it so she could turn it. Nothing contravening any wras regulations.
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/valves-taps/62376-really-old-stop-tap.html#post579275

It is useless as a long term lubricant but does help free things off.
Tell your customer there is no reason to worry. It is about as harmless as baby oil and it is impossible for it to get through the body of the tap.
The customer should be a bit more worried about the lead levels in her water supply from the old lead pipes.

 

[helpsy]

I believe WD40 is made with materials from fish and they live in water....so what's the problem !

 

[Dannypipe]

I thought it was mainly fish oil too but apparently that's not true.

 

[Dannypipe]

Oh and according to a customer of mine who runs a pub which is supplied by a lead main. When he enquired to the water board about having it changed they told him: the inside of the lead will be coated with a protective layer of line scale now so there is nothing to worry about. I personally don't think there is a massive problem with a lead main but would prefer to not have one serving my own home. After all there is lead in most brassware fittings (like your kitchen taps for instance). I do agree with Tamz. It's more worrying than a bit of wd 40.

 

[Dannypipe]

Lime scale. Not line. (On the phone).

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

yep the masses of lead piping and lead it taps an solder is more of a worry. The regs are slowly catching up but taps can still be high in lead content so that would be more of a worry. I agree that WD40 is good for short term but i would always use silicon grease as it is much more suited to the job

 

[Jennie]

I mentioned it to my tutor today. He highly recommends using butter. (I thought he was joking at first, but he seemed quite serious about it).

 

[Best]

I mentioned it to my tutor today. He highly recommends using butter. (I thought he was joking at first, but he seemed quite serious about it).

He's got to be joking!
Can't see anything wrong with using silicone grease or Vaseline. Necks in sink mixers etc come brand new with silicone grease in them.

 

[tamz]

Well i've heard of butter being used as a lubricant but never on taps!
Tallow would be a better natural lubricant as it doesn't wash away with water much the same as silicone grease. Its a while since i've seen or used a bit tallow (it was used as a flux for wiped joints on lead) but you can still buy it.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I would say butter should never be used as it is likely to become a breeding ground for bacteria. Has your tutor heard of the water regulations?