I need to extend the fitting of the water pipe inside the wall for the shower. The shower tap thread isn't quite long enough to get a good seal, so I bought this extension. I have a feeling it may be a gas fitting, but the threads seem to be the same. As you can see there's a star shaped piece inside the fitting where a tool is supposed to fit to enable the fitting to be screwed down tight. Is it something I could buy from a local hardware shop?

Torx?

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by Anthony5

It looks like a hex key will work ... you can buy a hex key at the hardware store ... it's simple a hexagonal key ...

only thing is that seems fairly large .... normally they come in a set of keys but not sure on that size.

Just seen the picture of what Anthony posted ... that type of key will fit it's just getting the correct size.

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by steven100

Estimating size from the pic, I reckon something in the region of 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm allen key, aka hexagon key. Try HomePro.

You can take the fitting along and try before you buy, to make sure it fits.

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by phetphet

Estimating size from the pic, I reckon something in the region of 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm allen key, aka hexagon key.

No way is that 8 or 10mm.

Minimum 12 possibly 14 even.

If the fitting buried in the wall is PVC do not apply to much pressure when tightening and do not over tighten, also do not use to much threat tape PTFE TAPE.

If all else fails just use a bolt, find the right size and insert into your fitting and nip up with mole grips or something similar.

I tried an extension like that and could not get the tape right after 4 tries. The brass extensions sold by Home Pro get it right first time every time (and take a normal wrench).

If yours feels really loose with no tape, I'd toss it and go to Home Pro.

Estimating size from the pic, I reckon something in the region of 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm allen key, aka hexagon key.

No way is that 8 or 10mm.

Minimum 12 possibly 14 even.

1/2 inch ?

Estimating size from the pic, I reckon something in the region of 8mm, 10mm, or 12mm allen key, aka hexagon key.

No way is that 8 or 10mm.

Minimum 12 possibly 14 even.

1/2 inch ?

It's 20mm or 3/4"

Also, are those teeth available from the female side? Unless you have something abnormal, you're going to need to put the male end into the PVC. ??

unless your fingers are heaps larger than mine this is 3/4 inch bsp (british standard pipe) thread. buy an adaptor fitting with a hexagonal outer shape and an internal thread to suit your fitting, screw it on without sealer and use the adaptor as your drive fitting. if you can not get good access to the thread you are fitting your adaptor to, do NOT use teflon tape. if applied incorrectly it will push up ahead of your fitting and not seal. there is a 'locktite' product available, looks like dental floss, which will do a much better job.

I tried an extension like that and could not get the tape right after 4 tries. The brass extensions sold by Home Pro get it right first time every time (and take a normal wrench).

If yours feels really loose with no tape, I'd toss it and go to Home Pro.

I have a fitting with a spanner fitting, but it's too long. When the extension is screwed into the plastic pipe the end projects too far out, which means when the tap is screwed on it doesn't allow it to sit flush with the wall plate, but sits out several mm's, allowing water and crap to get behind the tap. I must admit, both fittings feel a bit loose without any tape on them.

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by giddyup

Also, are those teeth available from the female side? Unless you have something abnormal, you're going to need to put the male end into the PVC. ??

Yes, teeth are accessible from the female end.

unless your fingers are heaps larger than mine this is 3/4 inch bsp (british standard pipe) thread. buy an adaptor fitting with a hexagonal outer shape and an internal thread to suit your fitting, screw it on without sealer and use the adaptor as your drive fitting. if you can not get good access to the thread you are fitting your adaptor to, do NOT use teflon tape. if applied incorrectly it will push up ahead of your fitting and not seal. there is a 'locktite' product available, looks like dental floss, which will do a much better job.

Can't say I've seen the "dental floss" type sealer here, but I don't want the fitting so locked in it can't be removed.

This is for a faucet that's wall mounted? Maybe add a tile under the faucet plate?

This is for a faucet that's wall mounted? Maybe add a tile under the faucet plate?

This is for the shower tap, which is wall mounted. Sorry, but putting a tile behind the plate, would look prettty unsightly.

Use plenty of Teflon tape, just put it on clockwise.

Use plenty of Teflon tape, just put it on clockwise.

Funny, sappersrest post #6 says don't use too much tape.

This is no Torx!

It is hexagonal. An Alien key will fit. If you do not have this size use a bolt with a nut and tight the nut on the bolt. Tighten the nut with a normal spanner.

From the picture there is nothing to say about the size. Should be around 13 or 17mm

Good luck!

Arjen.

20mm. Thanks for the tip.

Just an update. I wrapped tape around the thread about 4 times and could screw it into the fitting using my fingers only. I think this tells me that I can't trust the brass fitting to be waterproof. Problem is I will only know if it leaks (because it's hidden behind the wall plate and tap) is when water appears on the floor of the bedroom adjoining. I think I'm going to have to find a fitting that provides a tighter fit.

4 times tape is not enough! Should be at at least 15 times. Take care about winding direction!. 4 times will be leaking!

Not according to a Google search, but I guess it's whatever works.

4 times tape is not enough! Should be at at least 15 times. Take care about winding direction!. 4 times will be leaking!

Not according to a Google search, but I guess it's whatever works.

this is why i advised not to use teflon tape. it is yesterdays stuff, there are much better products on the market. try shopping for gas sealer, comes in liquid form, like ky gelly!!!

fitting brass to poly is always risky, cross threading an option you won't detect until the mould grows out of the wall in the room next doors. using teflon tape will destroy all 'feeling' for your connection being good or not.

only amateurs use ptf tape...

4 times tape is not enough! Should be at at least 15 times. Take care about winding direction!. 4 times will be leaking!

Not according to a Google search, but I guess it's whatever works.

Good luck!

My experience says it will not work. And experience you can not buy!

Arjen.

I just worry that if you put to much tape on the threads you run the risk of cracking the plastic fitting it screws into.

If worried about tape use a liquid product that is suitable or liquid teflon Trade name Virgin white.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Select-Plumbers-Virgin-White-Thread/dp/B0082AL3L0

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by sappersrest

Large screwdriver inserted and adjustable spanner to turn it, use a liquid thread sealer only give some time to set/dry before finishing off the job.

loctite, a sub of 'henkel' , is represented in thailand.

check out:

http://www.loctite.com.au/3320_AUE_HTML.htm?nodeid=8802651668481

and ask your local supplier to get it for you.

suggesting to use hemp is not very helpful...

Thanks for all the tips guys. Will try and get it all together tomorrow and see what happens!

The one you can tighten with a spanner giddyup....If you have a hacksaw screw it in and then cut it off so it doesnt protrude and look ugly...

BUT...leave some of the nut there in case you want to take it out again at some time....

4 times tape is not enough! Should be at at least 15 times. Take care about winding direction!. 4 times will be leaking!

Not according to a Google search, but I guess it's whatever works.

this is why i advised not to use teflon tape. it is yesterdays stuff, there are much better products on the market. try shopping for gas sealer, comes in liquid form, like ky gelly!!!

fitting brass to poly is always risky, cross threading an option you won't detect until the mould grows out of the wall in the room next doors. using teflon tape will destroy all 'feeling' for your connection being good or not.

only amateurs use ptf tape...

Is it easy enough to remove the fitting once the gas sealer has set? If it's performed a watertight seal I guess there will be no reason to, but as long as it doesn't act like super glue.