Tap washer valve repair

[chengjianer]

instead of replacing the whole valve, can i buy 1 of these and just replace the o-ring?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @chengjianer,

Those O rings are designed for tap spindles, not tap valves, and might not fit correctly. There is possibly an O ring in the assorted size pack that would fit. It would be best to take the tap valve with you into a store, and a helpful team member can have a look at it for you and see if they will fit. Just so you are aware, it will probably cost a similar amount to replace the whole valve with a HydroSeal 12mm Tap Valves - 2 Pack. However, if you get a pack of O rings that fit, you'd have plenty extra to replace them in the future.

Please let me know if you need further assistance or have questions.

Mitchell

[chengjianer]

thanks Mitchell! i just thought i could replace the rubber ring rather than waste the metal valve. having said that, it might not be that easy to put the new o-ring in without damaging it.

[Weitogo]

Hi Mate,

Did you have any success in replacing the rubber o-rings? If so, could you recommend the o-ring pack that is suitable for this job? I am attempting the same thing that you tried more than a year ago. I also understand it might be different to push a new o-ring into the metal valve without damaging it. Hope you were successful and have some tips to share.

Cheers

[KatieC]

Hi @Weitogo,

First, let me welcome you to the Bunnings Workshop community! It is awesome you have decided to join and ask about getting a new o-ring for your metal valve. Let me tag @chengjianer to let them know you have asked about their success in replacing their o-ring. Do you know what size you need? Our resident DIY expert @MitchellMc will be back online tomorrow to better assist you.

Katie 

[Weitogo]

Hi Katie,

Thanks for the message and your effort to help me with my issue.

By my own measuring, which might not be very precise, I think the o-ring size needed is ID of 13mm, OD of 17mm, CS of 2mm.

Cheers

Wei

[Noyade]

Morning @Weitogo 

I'll take a punt and say @chengjianer had no success whatsoever - IF - it is the same designed 'O' ring and brass construction as illustrated below.

It's not even an O-ring as such.

These are from Bunnings - I can research the brand - but they're useless in my situation. I have an autistic son who habitually over-tightens taps. At first I found it hard to believe - but he can apply enough tap torque that forces the brass rod into the tap fitting and as a result the washer (or call it an O-ring) compresses, such that the small inner brass washer is 'punched' off and displaced. 😁

To try and replace it? Simply not worth it - in my opinion.

Cheers!

Graeme.

[Noyade]

Sitting outside, sun disappearing and with a glass of wine - I reached for my O-ring box. As you do on these summer evenings.

And I started to play with my O-rings.

"I think the o-ring size needed is ID of 13mm, OD of 17mm, CS of 2mm."

Hi again @Weitogo 😃

I estimate with crude vernier calipers that the 'original' rubber washer (my product above) is 3.6mm thick, and that's why it sits proud from the brass back and that's what creates rubber pressure to stem the water flow...

Original

Sitting proud

I selected R10 2.38mm. Even If I lubed and managed to squeeze the O-ring into place with an intact brass fastener (which I couldn't do) the thickness is still not enough to occlude high pressure in the tap...

Looks OK, but....

Just no proud enough...

Back to the wine.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Weitogo,

Depending on the brand of the valve, it could have a different-sized O-ring to @chengjianer's. I'd suggest taking your valve into your closest Bunnings store and speaking with their Plumbing Expert. I'm sure they'll be able to work out whether they have O-rings to suit it.

Mitchell

[Weitogo]

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the reply.

As shown in chengjianer's original post, it is an actual o-ring serving as washer in the valve assembly. Mine is the exactly the same. The brand is HydroSeal.

Yours has some similarity but differs significantly both in how the rubber fits into the metal base and the depth it fits into it. The o-ring fits very tightly into HydroSeal valve's circular groove so much so it is very hard to lift it out without breaking it. Which also means it is very hard to squeeze a replacement o-ring into the groove. With yours, the rubber washer is sandwiched in position. So it requires a specialised rubber washer with thinner middle and thicker edge. I can't imagine an o-ring will do the job.

If we can figure out an easy way to replace the o-ring of Hydroseal valve, it would almost be the end of buying new tap valves as the metal part lasts forever.

I also try to educate my housemates to just tighten the tap switches enough to stop water leaks. Alas, they do not learn. Maybe next time I get them to fix the leaks.

At least the wine was good, I hope.