Tap top seized

50Twuncle

I am trying to change a bathroom basin tap washer (it has packed in - water won't flow) and the damned screw holding the tap top on - has seized
Any suggestions as how to release it ?
I have tried WD40
It is a combined crosshead/flat screw - I have tried a socket set adapter on it - and it threatens to round off !

Norman_Castle

It is a combined crosshead/flat screw

The cross heads on these can be very poor. Have you tried a good fitting flat screwdriver?

Le_Kirk

You may have to end up drilling it our if you round it off. If you have a screw extractor, try drilling a small pilot hole and using the screw extractor. It is a left hand thread so the more your turn it anticlockwise the tighter into the hole (and more secure) it becomes.

50Twuncle

Good point - I had been trying to turn it the wrong way

50Twuncle

This is the Hot tap

southcoastrgi

50Twuncle wrote: »

Good point - I had been trying to turn it the wrong way

They are talking about the screw extractor not the screw itself that undo's anti-clockwise as normal

50Twuncle

southcoastrgi wrote: »

They are talking about the screw extractor not the screw itself that undo's anti-clockwise as normal

OK i understand

owen_money

Impact driver, but don't hit it too hard, or drill off the head.


I recently had a dripping tap and changed the whole insert for one that uses ceramic discs instead of rubber washers. Much better and now has a 1/4 turn from off to full. You cant over tighten them and hopefully it wont drip again


Screw fix sell them for less than £6 for a pair, takes ten min's to change both

diamond_dave

A top tip when dealing with any stubborn screws: always tighten the screw first, this helps break the " seal" between the screw and the fitting. And make sure that you are using the correct screwdriver - "phillips" is not always a phillips.