Stuck bath tap

nwbrfc · 15 November 2012 at 1:54PM

southcoastrgi wrote: »

OP take out the valve so it is shown as in the pic above, hold onto the big nut with a spanner & turn the tap head clockwise ie as if you are turning the tap off, the bit with the washer will fall out, when it does you will see it has the shape of a nut on the opp end to the washer, this needs to slot back into the main body if it is slightly out of alinement this will stop it going into the body of the valve, it can be a bit fiddly to get it to go back in as there isn't alot of room for adjustment just take your time & it will go (you need to turn the tap handle to draw it back in), while you have the valve out change the washer as this is prob why the nut came out it's seating in the first place.

there you go MN five min fix for free & a free 10 mins of a plumbers time, two things you have learnt today.

Firstly, thanks for the replies. I didn't mean for my query to create a row, so I hope we can all shakes hands and be friends.:beer:

Secondly, southcoastrgi, thanks for your instruction. The problem is that whilst holding on to the big nut, the tap head will not move more than an eighth of a turn (clockwise or anticlockwise) before it sticks. So I cannot reveal the bit with the washer any further. In fact the bit with the washer is stuck half way out. From what you have said, I wonder if it is because the nut at the opposite end of the washer has become misaligned inside the mechanism - what do you think? If so, then it sounds like no amount of brute force will get it to reveal itself? Or is there another trade secret that I can try?

Cheers.

nwbrfc · 18 November 2012 at 8:12PM

Just wondered if southcoastrgi had seen this yet?

southcoastrgi · 18 November 2012 at 8:34PM

it does sound like it hasn't gone back into the body properly & is well & truely stuck & if you really can't get it out then you may not have any other choice than replace it but like MN said you should be able to get replacements for alot less than you have seen, hopefully your local plumbers merchant should be able to help, no unfortunately there isn't any plumbers trick for this.