Tap tail adaptors,what is the point?

[Harvest Fields]

There wouldn’t be any soldering into most service valves, but good point on if push fit service valves were used. I never use them, so tend to forget.
The OP was meaning compression end of service valves though I think

It was a just incase anyone else was reading it

 

[AWheating]

If you use an ISO just file it down alittle.

 

[firemant]

I understand the principle but provided you do not over tighten do you think the service valve would really cut into the washer?

Yes.

My daughter had a massive insurance claim due to one, on a recent build.

 

[Vicdiy]

Yes.

My daughter had a massive insurance claim due to one, on a recent build.

Just as a matter of interest had the service valve split the washer, if so it must have been really tight because the washers are quite tough, or had the joint not been made properly.If you have a tap flexi that is 12mm you don't have any choice but to connect it to a 12/15mm compression reducer which will have the same sharp edge as a service valve or am I incorrect?

 

[Ben-gee]

Yes you are incorrect. Most of these 12mm flexis end in 15mm compression or 1/2" female unions, some "foreign" ones will end in 3/8" or a.n.other. A good way of connecting them is with the appropriate size of male iron, eg 15mm compression to 1/2" male iron; these have a nice wide flat face and provide the perfect surface for the washer.
The problem with filing an iso down is that at what ever point you stop filing, the nature of the spiral thread means that at one point the wall is very thin - some makes are better than others, granted, and I have been know to do this - you just have to be careful!

 

[Best]

I have had to replace some leaking pipework due to the installer tightening a flexi onto an iso valve.
The flat washer ends up convex.

 

[Best]

On the same theme, does anyone come across washing machine hoses that are leaking at the connection to the valves?
Most of the cheap washing machine valves have a thin edge (some have a sharp edge) and seem to eventually start weeping.

 

[Welder]

Cos we have had to learn so much about this for product development, thought you may be interested in the following.

When using any 'sharp' surface to connect to a flat rubber (nitrile) washer if it is overtightened (and frankly I' d defy anyone to judge that without literal xray vision) it causes stress fractures in the rubber structure.

Whilst one part (the outer part) may be held captive, the middle is subject to continuous flexing due to water flow & pressure fluctuations and will eventually part company with the outer.

When sandwiched between two flat surfaces those fractures simply do not happen. Filing can work very very well IF you can get the surface perfectly flat with no obvious file marks.

The minimum surface contact area should be 2x the depth of washer and remember you only need to compress the rubber by 10-20% to get an effective seal.

 

[Vicdiy]

Yes you are incorrect. Most of these 12mm flexis end in 15mm compression or 1/2" female unions, some "foreign" ones will end in 3/8" or a.n.other. A good way of connecting them is with the appropriate size of male iron, eg 15mm compression to 1/2" male iron; these have a nice wide flat face and provide the perfect surface for the washer.
The problem with filing an iso down is that at what ever point you stop filing, the nature of the spiral thread means that at one point the wall is very thin - some makes are better than others, granted, and I have been know to do this - you just have to be careful!

I bought a Roca mixer tap which came with flexis with 12mm tap connector ends with rubber washers.I therefore fixed it to a 12/15mm compression coupling as I didn't know how else to fix it.

 

[alan barry]

ive fitted many flexi connectors straight on service valves in my time its i think about not over tightening,i normally spend 5 mins taking tools to van check when i come back,,then 5 mins invoicing,chatting and check again befor i leave.never had a come back.