Don't try to fit British plumbing parts in French homes

To the Editor,

I shook my head in disbelief at the article by Nick Inman regarding problems fitting his filter tap.

Why is he buying an item in a foreign country when suitable ones are available here in France?

As for not being able to find a suitable fitting, in most of the world brass fittings have a BSP thread (British Standard Pipe).

Even if it is metric, a local plumber’s merchant will have a suitable connection. It is more likely that they don’t want to get involved in case the modification fails.

Having renovated a number of homes over the last 20 years, I am forever telling people, particularly English and Dutch, not to bring items from their own countries.

Some years ago, I went to a house to pick up some furniture and my attention was drawn to a new fuse box.

The owner proudly stated that he had bought it in the UK. He was completely deflated when I pointed out that English fuses are not acceptable in France.

He failed his diagnostic test and had to get an electrician to change the system.

The latest problem comes with Quooker taps, which can dispense water at 100C.

I refuse to fit them as they are illegal in France – the maximum temperature allowed from a tap is 60C to avoid scalding. 

I.A., by email

Nick Inman writes: The reader may have misunderstood my article. I wholeheartedly agree about not importing DIY items.

I would not use British electrical fittings in France, even if they are often more robust, and all my plumbing work involves French made and bought parts.

There are, however, exceptions. The first filter was made in the UK but available in France through the company’s partner website.

It was not specifically British; it just used a peculiar gauge of outlet pipe. The second filter was from a .eu website and was intended for the French market.

My problems had nothing to do with incompatible foreign couplings; I foolishly ordered the wrong thing and then had to find a way to make it work.

Have you tried fitting appliances from your home country at a house in France? Share your experience at letters@connexionfrance.com