Precision Plumbing Washers Manufactured in the UK
Stephens Gaskets manufactures plumbing washers designed to deliver reliable sealing, load distribution and long-term performance in plumbing and fluid-handling systems.
With decades of experience supplying washers, shims and gaskets, we support customers across plumbing, construction, engineering and maintenance sectors with dependable, cost-effective solutions.
Plumbing washers may appear simple, but their role is critical. A correctly specified washer prevents leaks, protects fittings and ensures safe, efficient operation of taps, valves and pipe connections.
What Is a Plumbing Washer?
A plumbing washer is a disc-shaped component with a central hole, typically manufactured from rubber, and installed between a fastener and a mating surface.
In plumbing applications, washers are primarily used to:
- Create a watertight seal.
- Prevent leaks of liquids or gases.
- Bear the load of threaded fasteners.
- Protect surfaces from wear.
- Act as spacers, springs or preload indicators.
Rubber plumbing washers are commonly used in taps, valves and fittings where flexibility and sealing performance are essential.
Plumbing Washers vs Rubber Gaskets
Although plumbing washers and rubber gaskets can look similar, they serve different purposes.
- Washers are typically smaller and used to distribute load or create a localised seal around a fastener.
- Gaskets are larger sealing components designed to seal entire mating surfaces, such as flanges or housings.
Understanding the difference ensures the correct component is used, improving reliability and reducing the risk of leaks or premature failure.
Materials Used for Plumbing Washers
While washers can be manufactured from metals such as aluminium, brass and copper, plumbing washers supplied by Stephens Gaskets are primarily made from rubber, offering the flexibility and sealing capability required in plumbing systems.
We manufacture rubber plumbing washers using a range of elastomers, including:
- Neoprene.
- Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR).
- EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer).
- Silicone Rubber.
- Nitrile Rubber (NBR).
- Fluoroelastomers (FKM / Viton).
Each material offers different resistance to water, oils, chemicals and temperature, allowing us to match the washer to its intended environment.
Advantages of Rubber Plumbing Washers
Rubber remains the preferred material for plumbing washers due to its practical performance benefits.
1. Flexibility and Pliability
Allows the washer to compress and conform to mating surfaces, creating a tight seal.
2. Multiple Thickness and Hardness Options
Ensures correct compression for different fittings and pressures.
3. Excellent Sealing Performance
Ideal for preventing water and gas leaks in taps, valves and pipework.
4. Customisable Manufacturing
Rubber washers can be easily produced in bespoke sizes and profiles to suit non-standard applications.
These advantages make rubber washers suitable for both domestic plumbing and industrial fluid-handling systems.
Applications for Plumbing Washers
Plumbing washers are used across a wide range of applications, including:
- Taps and tap assemblies.
- Valves and stopcocks.
- Pipe fittings and connectors.
- Household appliances.
- Automotive fluid systems.
- Industrial machinery.
- Construction and maintenance work.
Neoprene rubber washers, in particular, are widely specified across construction, automotive, aerospace, electrical and plumbing sectors due to their balanced performance characteristics.
Standard and Bespoke Plumbing Washers
Stephens Gaskets supplies a wide range of standard plumbing washer sizes.
Where standard washers are not suitable, we offer a bespoke washer manufacturing service, producing custom washers to exact dimensions.
Our capabilities include:
- Custom internal and external diameters.
- Varying thicknesses and hardness levels.
- Uncommon or legacy sizes.
- Small batches or large production runs.
Every job is supported by dimension reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency for every washer we manufacture.
Quality, Traceability and Fast Turnaround
As an ISO9001-certified manufacturer, all plumbing washers produced by Stephens Gaskets are fully traceable.
We aim to quote quickly, manufacture efficiently and dispatch orders on time, supplying customers across the UK and worldwide.
Our focus is on quality, reliability and speed, ensuring customers receive washers they can trust.
Why Choose Stephens Gaskets
- Decades of washer manufacturing expertise.
- ISO9001-certified production.
- Fully traceable materials.
- Standard and bespoke plumbing washers.
- Fast quotations and turnaround times.
- UK-based manufacturing and global delivery.
- Trusted supplier of washers, shims and gaskets.
We combine technical knowledge with responsive service to support both trade and industrial customers.
FAQs
1. Where can I buy plumbing washers in the UK?
You can buy plumbing washers directly from Stephens Gaskets. We manufacture and supply rubber plumbing washers with fast UK delivery.
2. Are rubber plumbing washers suitable for taps and valves?
Yes. Rubber plumbing washers are ideal for taps and valves, providing excellent sealing performance to prevent water or gas leaks.
3. Can Stephens Gaskets make custom plumbing washers?
Absolutely. We manufacture bespoke plumbing washers in non-standard sizes, thicknesses and materials to suit specific applications.
4. Which rubber material is best for plumbing washers?
Neoprene is commonly used due to its versatility, but EPDM, nitrile, silicone and other rubbers may be more suitable depending on water, oil or temperature exposure.
5. How quickly can plumbing washers be supplied?
Standard washers can often be dispatched immediately. Custom plumbing washers are typically produced and delivered within a few working days.
Contact Stephens Gaskets
For high-quality plumbing washers manufactured with precision and supplied with confidence, choose Stephens Gaskets.
Contact Our Team
Phone: +44 (0)121 544 5808
Email: sales@stephensgaskets.co.uk
Visit Our Website
Address: Stephens Gaskets Ltd, 19 Hainge Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 2NR.