Can't turn bath tap off

Macc

I have snapped the spindle off my cold bath tap and it is currently running. There's nothing of the spindle sticking out so I can't get a grip with pliers to turn it so can't turn it off.

Probably a very dumb question as I'm clueless about these kind of things, but what do I need to do to be able to turn the tap off?

Macc

Tried to add a pic but not letting me but its here https://imgur.com/qxSvg4N

Mistral001

Macc wrote: »

I have snapped the spindle off my cold bath tap and it is currently running. There's nothing of the spindle sticking out so I can't get a grip with pliers to turn it so can't turn it off.

Probably a very dumb question as I'm clueless about these kind of things, but what do I need to do to be able to turn the tap off?

Look under the bath, just below the offending tap. There is usually a small isolating valve which is operated using a screw driver. If there is, turn it with the screw driver, one quarter turn. The valve is very small and comprises usually just a bulge in the pipe and a slot where the screw driver is inserted.

molerat

Failing that you will need to turn off the cold water supply either from the cold water tank or the mains into the house depending on how it is fed. It looks like a standard tap cartridge easily available from any DIY shed, fairly straightforward to change.

Macc

Thanks. Unfortunately I can't easily get underneath the bath as the previous owners for some reason put tiling on the side of the bath so I'd have to smash that up first.

Is there a way to do it via the tap itself? If I take the bolt/valve thingy off will there be something reachable inside the tap i can turn with pliers or something?

I really should know this stuff by my age! :embarasse

[Deleted User]

Hi,


here's the photie.

Mistral001

I would not take the nut off as the water could come gushing out.

I see that a very small length of spindle is protruding above the nut. Try making a cut in the top of this protruding part with a hacksaw so that a flat screw driver can be used to turn the tap.

PS. Even if you have to cut the nut to make the grove cut by the hacksaw deeper, it will not matter as the nut will still function with a small grove in its top.

tonyh66

Mistral001 wrote: »

I would not take the nut off as the water could come gushing out.

I see that a very small length of spindle is protruding above the nut. Try making a cut in the top of this protruding part with a hacksaw so that a flat screw driver can be used to turn the tap.

PS. Even if you have to cut the nut to make the grove cut by the hacksaw deeper, it will not matter as the nut will still function with a small grove in its top.

this is a good solution, if you have a dremel type tool it makes it easier.

bris

Turning the tap off still doesn't solve your problem, which is fitting a new insert.. Find the stopcock and turn it off at the mains. If it's tank fed then its going to have to drain unless you can get into the loft to isolate the tank too.


If it is tank fed then you could do it wet as the pressure isn't that great and with speed you can take out the old insert and put the new one in, in seconds. I have done a few that way, it really does take second to change them over. Don't try this on mains pressure though.

Macc

Mistral001 wrote: »

I would not take the nut off as the water could come gushing out.

I see that a very small length of spindle is protruding above the nut. Try making a cut in the top of this protruding part with a hacksaw so that a flat screw driver can be used to turn the tap.

PS. Even if you have to cut the nut to make the grove cut by the hacksaw deeper, it will not matter as the nut will still function with a small grove in its top.

Thanks very much, this worked a treat. :beer:

Macc

bris wrote: »

Turning the tap off still doesn't solve your problem, which is fitting a new insert.. Find the stopcock and turn it off at the mains. If it's tank fed then its going to have to drain unless you can get into the loft to isolate the tank too.


If it is tank fed then you could do it wet as the pressure isn't that great and with speed you can take out the old insert and put the new one in, in seconds. I have done a few that way, it really does take second to change them over. Don't try this on mains pressure though.

To be honest I'll probably just leave it like this for now and turn it on and off with a screwdriver! The tap itself is a bit wobbly and I'm a bit concerned it wouldn't handle putting too much force on when loosening the bolt thingy. With the bath side being tiled in I don't want to risk it.