Extend tap from under deck

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ScuL

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#208081 25-Jan-2017 23:17

Right, watering the plants should be a straightforward thing if it wasn't for the fact that the main tap has been located under the deck in our house.

Every time I need the hose I need to open up the hatch, kneel down and stretch, turn on the tap and then I can finally water the plants. Doing this on a daily basis is starting to get a bit tedious so I've been exploring alternatives to avoid this problem.

Exhibit A

In an ultimate world you would remove the tap and relocate it to a higher spot however we're renting and I am trying to find a low cost solution.

I thought I was clever and went to Bunnings and obtained a few parts to attempt to extend the water point.

I got the following two way splitter: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/mcgregor-s-2-way-tap-adaptor-with-shut-off-brass_p00947315
and was hoping that it would allow me to control the flow whilst having two hoses connected.

As soon as I open up the tap and twist it more than two times round water comes spraying out of the top of the splitter. I have tried various connection pieces (mostly brass) but whatever I do the pressure seems far too high and a leak will appear somewhere in the chain.

I've spent approx 2 hours talking to various staff members at my local Bunnings and they can't come up with a solution that will work. I've also looked at shower hoses (metal ones) in the hope that they would provide a sturdier connection however they don't seem to be the right size.

Is there any reasonable way I can extend a water tight connection to the top of the deck so I no longer need to use the hatch?

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Bung

6477 posts

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#1709705 26-Jan-2017 00:08

You should be able to turn both outlets off and turn tap on. If water comes out the top and you have a sealing washer then you can't be tightening it sufficiently.

geocom

594 posts

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#1709707 26-Jan-2017 00:10

Its hard to tell what you have attached on the 2 way splitter.

What is attached to each of the 3 ends of the 2 way splitter? Got a photo?

Geoff E

RunningMan

8953 posts

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#1709709 26-Jan-2017 00:19

Washing machine hose should have the same thread as a hose tap and will seal better

RunningMan

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#1709716 26-Jan-2017 02:04

Having another think (that's dangerous), get a machine machine hose, as that will have the correct thread for a hose tap, and withstand mains pressure without leaking, then screw a 3/4" ball valve (similar to https://www.bunnings.co.nz/kinetic-ball-valve-20mm-brass_p04790276 but male thread - Reece should have them) to that hose, then screw a normal garden hose fitting to the other side of the ball valve to connect the hose.

Alternatively, @Aredwood may have a better idea...

Suckerpunch

124 posts

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#1709721 26-Jan-2017 06:37

Use thread tape, available from Mitre10 and there's probably a washer missing.

ScuL

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#1709876 26-Jan-2017 10:38

Bung: You should be able to turn both outlets off and turn tap on. If water comes out the top and you have a sealing washer then you can't be tightening it sufficiently.

What I've done is connect the green hose (the one between the tap and the one on the roller), to the input of the two-way splitter.

Then connect one output to the roller hose, and the other output to a different hose.

The leak is occurring where the green hose goes into the splitter piece. If I keep the pressure on full for a while the connection actually comes loose
There doesn't seem to be any issue with leakage inside the splitter piece, the splitter piece also has a sealing rubber.

This only happens when I have both outlets shut. If I open one of the outlets to allow water through, the spraying stops as the pressure is reduced.

RunningMan:

Having another think (that's dangerous), get a machine machine hose, as that will have the correct thread for a hose tap, and withstand mains pressure without leaking, then screw a 3/4" ball valve (similar to https://www.bunnings.co.nz/kinetic-ball-valve-20mm-brass_p04790276 but male thread - Reece should have them) to that hose, then screw a normal garden hose fitting to the other side of the ball valve to connect the hose.

Alternatively, @Aredwood may have a better idea...

Thanks.. I didn't think of washing machine hoses.

Suckerpunch:

Use thread tape, available from Mitre10 and there's probably a washer missing.

I am a little bit hestitant to use tape as tape is known to deteriorate over time. I don't want the couplings to become undone under the house and end up with a massive water bill. Best to have something sturdy

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

trig42

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#1709885 26-Jan-2017 10:49

Is it a long term rental?

I'd be asking the landlord if it was OK for you to move the tap. Would not take a plumber long, and use minimal bits (Buteline) to put the tap below your hosereel.

But, other than that, a washing machine hose (you'd have to drill a hole in the deck) with a tap/valve you can screw into the other end should solve the problem.

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Bung

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#1709946 26-Jan-2017 12:03

ScuL:

Bung: You should be able to turn both outlets off and turn tap on. If water comes out the top and you have a sealing washer then you can't be tightening it sufficiently.

What I've done is connect the green hose (the one between the tap and the one on the roller), to the input of the two-way splitter.

Then connect one output to the roller hose, and the other output to a different hose.

The leak is occurring where the green hose goes into the splitter piece. If I keep the pressure on full for a while the connection actually comes loose
There doesn't seem to be any issue with leakage inside the splitter piece, the splitter piece also has a sealing rubber.

This only happens when I have both outlets shut. If I open one of the outlets to allow water through, the spraying stops as the pressure is reduced.

Any connection using click on connectors esp plastic ones will probably leak. The male adapter left on taps usually has a perished O ring for a start. You'd have to go back to screw connections.

I've not heard of thread tape deteriorating in a pipe joint but can't see that thread tape would help.

wazzageek

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#1709949 26-Jan-2017 12:06

Other than asking your landlord, I would second using a ball valve before the splitter.

The other thing to think about is the condition of the tap washer within the tap under the deck there - on our ours will leak if the tap is left on and there is something stopping the water coming out the other end of the hose.