Graphite sealing cord

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Size required

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Wentworth woodhouse throws up another query, this time in the form of an antiquated bathroom basin mechanism.

It has a pop up waste plug which leaks at the rear where the cross shaft emerges from the waste trap. A brass gland nut sits over a brass barrel on the cross shaft. There is a gap between the barrel and bore of the gland nut.

There was some degraded gunk inside the gland nut but not identifiable as any seal material.

Would this kind of seal use graphite cord or similar to pack the void and create a seal. It's not under any pressure other than the exiting water.

There is no O ring groove and I think its pre,manmade material seals.

Any thoughts?

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Most probably was some form of O ring that has deteriorated over time; if you can clean it out there should be no reason not to use graphite gland packing.

George.

[Vasantha AbeyParticipant @vasanthaabey64724]

if y ou can buy asbestos cords say 2 to 4 mm or so, apply graphite grease on the surface and you got graphite sealing.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

If it is an antiquated bathroom basin mechanism with a gland nut, it probably used a graphite pump packing as a seal. O-rings are a later invention. Do a search on the internet or ebay. Graphite or teflon pump and valve packing is available in different sizes.

Paul.

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Posted by Vasantha Abey on 04/08/2019 06:55:20:

if y ou can buy asbestos cords say 2 to 4 mm or so, apply graphite grease on the surface and you got graphite sealing.

Not sure promoting use of asbestos is a good thing…

Joe

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Having looked at it I think it would be an idea to cut a couple of O ring grooves inside the gland nut and give that a try. It does not have to be period as it's out of sight. And it's not contemporary with the house.

I will report back when my marmalade is set, dont ask but it's another Wentworth job lol

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Posted by Joseph Noci 1 on 04/08/2019 08:50:24:

Posted by Vasantha Abey on 04/08/2019 06:55:20:

if y ou can buy asbestos cords say 2 to 4 mm or so, apply graphite grease on the surface and you got graphite sealing.

Not sure promoting use of asbestos is a good thing…

Joe

I doubt that you'll get asbestos cord now unless reclaimed piece from some defunct boiler door lagging/seal, HSE & all that …

George.

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

Two O ring grooves cut in to the gland and two new O rings fitted so we have a functional seal.

Many thanks for all who commented.

Plasma

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