Fibre washers

[Geoff Peace]

I have been searching for fibre washers for taps for a long time. I have scoured the internet for a company selling them by size but no luck other than to have them made specially at over £1 each! The sizes I need are 24mm inside diameter, 28mm to 29mm outside diameter and 30mm inside diameter, 34mm to 36mm outside diameter. Around 1 to 1.5mm thick. I need about two dozen of each size. Can anyone tell me where to get them at a reasonable price. Any advice gratefully received.

Regards Geoff Peace.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

what do you need them for?

 

[Geoff Peace]

My reply does not seem to to have printed! Try again. I have some old fashioned taps and the washers seal the tap body to the base/outlet. I do not want to install new taps as my wife finds them very easy to use as she has very little 'grip' due to to surgery. I have all the other spares for them I just lack the fibre washers.

Regards Geoff Peace.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

unsure why you need to seal the base to the outlet

The base is the bottom of the tap the outlet is at the end of the tap, different ends

Any pictures?

There are lots of taps on the market for assisted living

 

[markfxy]

Most plumbers merchants sell packs of different size fibre washers have you tried them

 

[Guest123]

B&Q do an attachment that fits on to the end of tap handles to make them very easy to turn.

 

[Nat]

You can use loctite 55 in place of fibre washers if you can get a few wraps around it. Done it many times and works a treat.

 

[Geoff Peace]

Thankyou for your replies everyone. I have tried plumbers merchants, engineers suppliers, been through numerous selection boxes without success. A friend of mine suggested posting on a plumbing forum so here I am. I would have thought that there would be a company somewhere selling them by size, in increments of say 1mm but no luck! I have had a quote to have them specially made at a cost of nearly £60. I am determined to keep these taps, they are very old but the chrome finish and the weight of them is far superior to the taps of today, In my opinion anyway. And they can be rewashered, I just need the fibre washers which fit between the upper and lower part of the tap! If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I have been told to use PTFE tape but I am not very familiar with its use and would like to stick with the fibre washers if I can. Lastly, Nat what is Loctite 55? is it similar to PTFE tape or is it a permanent sealer? as I would need to rewasher the taps from time to time.

Regards Geoff Peace.

 

[Nat]

Hi Geoff,It's a type of sealing tape. Looks like string and comes in a roll. Wind it around the little spigot where the washer normally sits. About 8 to 10 wraps should do it. Pick it up in a plumbers merchant. It's not permanent. Will just pull right off. I normally use it on tap connectors if I've lost the fibre washers. Give it a go mate- you've not got much to lose!Nat

 

[Ivor Bates]

If their really old taps, I'd be inclined to Google a tap refurbishing company, send them a photo and ask if they can help, chances are their be more helpful

 

[ecowarm]

have a look here Geoff Sealing Washers - Fibre Washers - Beal UK Workshop Supplies & Consumables | Workshop Equipment | Garage Supplies

 

[stevie t]

Hi Geoff Peace,

Have you tried purchasing sheets of fibre gasket and making them yourself. I've used them for gaskets around burners for gas boilers same job only you make them yourself using the old one as a template. Handy when your supplier doesnt have them in stock. Can be purchased from car workshops Halfords of local motor garage. Failing that try Rubber Strip | Foam Strip | Neoprene Washers | PTFE Washers | Neoprene Sponge | Leather Washers | Neoprene Gaskets | EPDM Gaskets | Foam Blocks | Silicone Strip| Fibre Washers | Adhesive Rubber Strip | Foam Gaskets | Rubber Blocks| Expanding Foam Tap - their cust svcs tel number is 0121 3592484.

Cheers stevie, belfast, Norn Iron

 

[tackleburger]

PTFE will be totally fine on a threaded joint.

 

[Geoff Peace]

Thankyou ecowarm I did find that site but nothing the correct size. Thanks to stevie t, that is a possibility, to find some gasket material and make my own, or try the loctite 55. Thanks again to everyone for your interest.

Regards Geoff Peace.

 

[WaterTight]

Hey Stevie out of interest how would you go about cutting them from a sheet?

 

[stevie t]

Hey Stevie out of interest how would you go about cutting them from a sheet?

Using old 1 as template if not too knackered, using face plate its going between casing and trimming it off etc. Motor mechanics/engineers do it daily. If you have any tricks up your sleeve i'd be glad to hear them. Thanx

 

[stevetheplumber]

use the 55 or ptfe tape replaces the washer and will not leak provided you wind it the right way on to the thread

 

[Geoff Peace]

When using loctite 55 do the threads have to be dry? I ask because I usually grease the threads of taps etc. simply because it makes them much easier to dismantle next time. I use water pump grease, waterproof and does not wash off, is it enough to wipe off the excess grease or must the thread be clean and dry? By the 'right way' to wind PTFE I assume that is against the direction of tightening so that it is not pushed off by the tightening action.

Regards Geoff Peace.

 

[stevie t]

Never used locktite 55 but wouldnt say it needed to be dry but as always you would normally rub clean where you're applying it to. I know a gas engr in particular who works on commercial installs and he reckons its hard to beat it can be slackened off slightly (approx 45 degress) and still holds it tightness. On metal threads they say you should rough them a bit with your pump-grips as it takes a better hold/seal and apply if across the threads in the direction you'd turn the fitting.

 

[kimbo]

try bes.co.uk under multi use washers.

 

[Geoff Peace]

Thankyou for your reply kimbo, but, as ever not the correct size. 1in. is too large I need 24mm. or 15/16in.

Regards Geoff Peace.