Shifting a stuck screw

kerri_gt

Hi, one of our bathroom taps is dripping and I need to check what needs replacing / replace it - however trying to get into the 'tap body' today was impossible. Flipped the little white bit off to reveal screw underneath but the screw would not shift for love nor money.

Tried WD40 on it, holding the screwdriver with a rubber glove for additional leverage, tapping the end of the screwdriver with a hammer - nada. OH had a go and even he couldn't move it.

Anyone got any suggestions on how we can shift it without causing damage please?

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tonyh66

soak it with WD40 and leave it 12/24hrs. It could be opposite screw, try turning it the other way.

GDB2222

If all else fails, you can probably unscrew the whole tap head by putting a big spanner on the tap handle. Then replace the tap head with a new one.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/swirl-bathroom-basin-tap-reviver-kit/32730

AndyMc.....

tonyh66 wrote: »

soak it with WD40 and leave it 12/24hrs. It could be opposite screw, try turning it the other way.

Why you using WD40, to remove any water from the tap?

Ectophile

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Why you using WD40, to remove any water from the tap?

More likely, because WD40 is commonly used as a penetrating oil to loosen stuck screws.


There are other oils that are specifically made for the purpose, but most people already have a can of WD40 kicking around somewhere.

tonyh66

Ectophile wrote: »

More likely, because WD40 is commonly used as a penetrating oil to loosen stuck screws.


There are other oils that are specifically made for the purpose, but most people already have a can of WD40 kicking around somewhere.

this is correct, most people do not have a dedicated penetrating fluid on their shelf, they already have WD40 which is why I suggested it.

greyteam1959

WD40 = Water Displacement 40th formula
Use proper penetrating oil & leave it on for a week or so.
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Automotive/d60/Lubricants+%26+Sprays/sd2795/Penetrating+Oil/p62311

gamston

on bolts etc in my car that I can't move I use freeze spray
about 20 seconds spray and you can break the seal between the thread and its seat

but it is about £8 a tin, something like this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-products-crack-it-shock-release-spray

kerri_gt

Thanks all - I'll keep at it with the WD40 and hopefully that will free it up eventually. Failing that I'll move onto the freeze spray.

bertiewhite

gamston wrote: »

on bolts etc in my car that I can't move I use freeze spray
about 20 seconds spray and you can break the seal between the thread and its seat

but it is about £8 a tin, something like this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-products-crack-it-shock-release-spray

I was going to suggest heating it with a hot air stripper, or even a hair dryer.

shaun_from_Africa

greyteam1959 wrote: »

WD40 = Water Displacement 40th formula
Use proper penetrating oil & leave it on for a week or so.
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Automotive/d60/Lubricants+%26+Sprays/sd2795/Penetrating+Oil/p62311

WD40 is "proper penetrating oil".
https://www.wd40.com/products/multi-use

Any very low viscosity oil will work as as penetrating fluid and apart from the price there will be very little practical difference between WD40 and the Toolstation product.