First Job

[jaydebruyne]

I'm going to look at a job on Thursday but I wanted to run it past you first.

They're friends of my girlfriend and have said they've already had a plumber out who stated he couldn't fix it as he'd end up cracking the granite worktop.

The tap body is loose, the whole tap turns. I'm thinking the backnut needs tightening. It's quite a large backnut and apparently it's almost impossible to get to.

As a bid to start off with small jobs, I'm determined to have a go (within reason - reason being I'm not going to damage the worktop).

I'm thinking, even if I cut away a little more of the wood on the right to get some pump pliers in there to grip the nut, could I not, in small increments, turn the tap body and tighten it that way? Returning the tap body to the original position after each small turn. I'm assuming they're flexi's at the end of the tails, if not I'd have to isolate the water and disconnect the tails to do this.

What do you think?

As I can't upload images at the moment, here are a couple of links:

 

[josh]

You might get away with just undo the hose/hot and colds then twist the tap anti clockwise and see if it loosens the backing nut a little to undo with fingers.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

one of these are good ,if you can get in

 

[jaydebruyne]

You might get away with just undo the hose/hot and colds then twist the tap anti clockwise and see if it loosens the backing nut a little to undo with fingers.

Yeah I thought of doing that to tighten it before I decided to do what Kris suggested and put the tap support on there first. Cheers

 

[jaydebruyne]

one of these are good ,if you can get in

I've a pair similar which I'm going to try with. My biggest problem I think will be gaining access to the backnut, apparently the entire plumbing for the tap is boxed in within the kitchen units... :/

 

[Neil K]

As Kris said, you need to disconnect the hot and cold first. And if you can find it , there's a box spanner that'll fit that nut, I've got 3 or 4 different ones. Believe it or not I actually think I bought one of them in B&Q

 

[jaydebruyne]

You could just replace the tap with something that is wras approved and meets water regs.

Them hose taps are gash.

Just found out from Franke that this tap is actually WRAS approved as it has a counter weight on the flexi cord connected to the tap to automatically retract the head into the housing when you let go.

Ho hum.

 

[chris watkins]

Just found out from Franke that this tap is actually WRAS approved as it has a counter weight on the flexi cord connected to the tap to automatically retract the head into the housing when you let go.

Ho hum.

Until it get's tangled up with the boxes of soap powder, bottles etc etc that are under any sink. you need to get yourself one of these think of it as an investment.

 

[plumbtech]

Until it get's tangled up with the boxes of soap powder, bottles etc etc that are under any sink. View attachment 19337you need to get yourself one of these think of it as an investment.

very good spanner

 

[jaydebruyne]

Until it get's tangled up with the boxes of soap powder, bottles etc etc that are under any sink. View attachment 19337you need to get yourself one of these think of it as an investment.

I already have an adj basin wrench, (Adjustable Basin Wrench | Adjustable Wrenches | NoLinkingToThis) but the backnut to the tap is 35mm and won't fit. Plus, I have a sever GAS problem (Gear Acquiring Syndrome) and have vowed to steer clear of screwfix for a while

How wide are the jaws on the monument? brrrrrrft lol

 

[chris watkins]

You get two jaws designed for 1/2" & 3/4" tap back nuts but in truth the 3/4" will get on your nut.


If not

there is an option extra large jaw.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Ok... So I just got back from having a look at this job.

The main reason for needing a plumber was that the tap body no longer swivelled. It was also loose. To recap, it's a kitchen single lever monobloc spray tap. Horrid beast it is!

I isolated the supply of the hot & cold no problems. Disconnected the flexi's and hose no problems. I even undid the nut (after some time) and was able to bring the tap up 4-5" from the worktop - the nut wouldn't go over the tap tails as the olives/nuts were still on there and until I knew what the issue was, I wasn't going to remove them.

So, for the life of me I couldn't undo the bottom seat that sits on top of the worktop, which the tap swivels on. So I decided to go in from the top and undid the grub screw to take off the lever and the lever just would not budge.

I advised the lady that I could by all means use some force to get the lever off but there may be a chance it wouldn't go back on. I also advised, as the tap is 9 years old, that it may well be corroded inside resulting in me not being able to disassemble it and to buy a new tap.

I put everything back together again, ensured there were no leaks and went on my merry way.

What do you think? Was that the best thing to do? Or would you have done differently?

 

[nysk2008]

im of the opinion that if youve your best thats all you can do - good on ya for the advise you passed onto the cust aswell. better to leave as is than cause further issues.

 

[jaydebruyne]

im of the opinion that if youve your best thats all you can do - good on ya for the advise you passed onto the cust aswell. better to leave as is than cause further issues.

Cheers Nysk2008.

I was a little bummed I couldn't fix it but came away feeling quite positive in that, you win some, you lose some I gave it a good shot and I'm pleased with my efforts.

 

[nysk2008]

youll get jobs that are easy ans some that are a real knightmare - price accordingly and allow yourself time, if you think 60 mins then double it, i think cust service is key as if your honest i bet they they will call u again.

Cheers Nysk2008.

I was a little bummed I couldn't fix it but came away feeling quite positive in that, you win some, you lose some I gave it a good shot and I'm pleased with my efforts.

 

[jaydebruyne]

youll get jobs that are easy ans some that are a real knightmare - price accordingly and allow yourself time, if you think 60 mins then double it, i think cust service is key as if your honest i bet they they will call u again.

This brings me to a question as I didn't charge her for anything. To me it was just good to get some real life experience.

But generally if I can't fix something, like todays example, do I still charge? I mean, as I didn't do anything other than try.