Screw help needed please

grumbler

Daisy_84 said:

FreeBear said:

Might be cheaper and easier to replace the tap all together.

I think so too. However, the challenge is that I still can’t get to the point of unscrewing it to remove it. Any tips on that?

Tips on removing the whole tap? Most likely it's a  screw and a nut under the sink. What's the problem?

If the crew has a slot, you'll possibly be able to unscrew it with a screwdriver

GDB2222

Daisy_84 said:

FreeBear said:

Might be cheaper and easier to replace the tap all together.

I think so too. However, the challenge is that I still can’t get to the point of unscrewing it to remove it. Any tips on that?

You need two things to repair this:

1. A replacement tap handle kit like I linked to earlier. https://www.toolstation.com/lever-basin-tap-reviver-kit/p70902

2. A stilson wrench.  https://www.toolstation.com/stillson/p13922

Switch off the water.

Use the stilson (2)  to grab the handle and undo it. It will bring the whole valve with it. 

Do the same for the other tap handle.

Put the replacement tap handles (1) on, complete with new valves.

Switch water on.


Whole job = 5 minutes. This is an *easy* DIY repair, whereas replacing the whole tap is a much bigger job.

Daisy_84

GDB2222 said:

Daisy_84 said:

FreeBear said:

Might be cheaper and easier to replace the tap all together.

I think so too. However, the challenge is that I still can’t get to the point of unscrewing it to remove it. Any tips on that?

You need two things to repair this:

1. A replacement tap handle kit like I linked to earlier. https://www.toolstation.com/lever-basin-tap-reviver-kit/p70902

2. A stilson wrench.  https://www.toolstation.com/stillson/p13922

Switch off the water.

Use the stilson (2)  to grab the handle and undo it. It will bring the whole valve with it. 

Do the same for the other tap handle.

Put the replacement tap handles (1) on, complete with new valves.

Switch water on.


Whole job = 5 minutes. This is an *easy* DIY repair, whereas replacing the whole tap is a much bigger job.

Thank you. That’s really helpful and I’m tempted to have a go .

Forgive for asking but are you telling me that those tap handles I turn every day can be removed using a wrench? 

Bendy_House

Normally you'd need to first remove the handles in order to get to the brass nut underneath which is what you'd use to undo the actual tap insert or 'cartridge' - the working bits. But GDB's idea is to unscrew the tap insert BY turning the WHOLE caboodle, ie, VIA the handle - a darn fine idea.

If you 'open' that tap handle fully - ie turn it anticlockwise - it will ultimately come to a firm stop, yes? What G is saying is, keep turning it, and the handle ALONG with the tappy bit will unscrew. That will allow you to simply screw in the type of replacement he linked to 

Bear on mind the cartridge will be quite tightly fitted, so you'll need a wrench of some sort on the tap handle, but that's what you do - turn the handle anti-c until it stops, then force it a bit more with the wrench.

I'd suggest that, at this stage, you have little to lose...

Daisy_84

Bendy_House said:

Normally you'd need to first remove the handles in order to get to the brass nut underneath which is what you'd use to undo the actual tap insert or 'cartridge' - the working bits. But GDB's idea is to unscrew the tap insert BY turning the WHOLE caboodle, ie, VIA the handle - a darn fine idea.

If you 'open' that tap handle fully - ie turn it anticlockwise - it will ultimately come to a firm stop, yes? What G is saying is, keep turning it, and the handle ALONG with the tappy bit will unscrew. That will allow you to simply screw in the type of replacement he linked to 

Bear on mind the cartridge will be quite tightly fitted, so you'll need a wrench of some sort on the tap handle, but that's what you do - turn the handle anti-c until it stops, then force it a bit more with the wrench.

I'd suggest that, at this stage, you have little to lose...

Haha. Thank you. I already have a wrench from when I replaced my shower taps. I’ll give that a go.

I just find it hard to get my head round that those taps can actually come off using a wrench.

Bendy_House

We are talking about the tap 'inserts' - the valve part - yes? Not the WHOLE tap.

If you look at videos on how to replace/ repair tap valves, the first step is to remove the handles. That exposes the tap valves underneath, and these have a brass nut on their top where the spindle comes through to the handle. Yes? Turning that nut should unscrew the whole tap valve/cartridge/insert.

But, since you cannot get to that nut, you will instead be unscrewing the tap valves by turning the handle PAST where it usually stops when you fully open it. The handle itself cannot turn any further, so that turning force is now being transferred to the whole valve. So 'all' you are doing here is to effectively turn that brass nut 'via' the handle.

It's def worth a go.

Water off! Try and support the tap body at the same time.

It WILL be tight to begin with.

Daisy_84

Bendy_House said:

We are talking about the tap 'inserts' - the valve part - yes? Not the WHOLE tap.

If you look at videos on how to replace/ repair tap valves, the first step is to remove the handles. That exposes the tap valves underneath, and these have a brass nut on their top where the spindle comes through to the handle. Yes? Turning that nut should unscrew the whole tap valve/cartridge/insert.

But, since you cannot get to that nut, you will instead be unscrewing the tap valves by turning the handle PAST where it usually stops when you fully open it. The handle itself cannot turn any further, so that turning force is now being transferred to the whole valve. So 'all' you are doing here is to effectively turn that brass nut 'via' the handle.

It's def worth a go.

Water off! Try and support the tap body at the same time.

It WILL be tight to begin with.

I’ve added an image, just to make sure we are both talking about the same part. Basically, when I shut off mains, I can take my wrench and force it out anti-clockwise right? 

Bendy_House

Yup!

But don't come on here crying if...

These are quarter-turn ceramic valves, then - I hadn't realised. But, it doesn't make any difference.

Turn that miscreant handle down towards you - as if fully 'on' - and plant your wrench on it, so the wrench is pretty much horizontal over the sink - it's just easier that way. Press down steadily and firmly...

Ideally, video this and show us - there should be £250 in it.

GDB2222

£250 in it?


I would just add that it would be a good idea to do this first thing tomorrow morning, rather than this evening, as it will be easier to get a plumber in if it all goes horribly wrong. 

Daisy_84

Bendy_House said:

Yup!

But don't come on here crying if...

These are quarter-turn ceramic valves, then - I hadn't realised. But, it doesn't make any difference.

Turn that miscreant handle down towards you - as if fully 'on' - and plant your wrench on it, so the wrench is pretty much horizontal over the sink - it's just easier that way. Press down steadily and firmly...

Ideally, video this and show us - there should be £250 in it.

GDB2222 said:

£250 in it?


I would just add that it would be a good idea to do this first thing tomorrow morning, rather than this evening, as it will be easier to get a plumber in if it all goes horribly wrong. 

Haha. I’m not good at doing videos. I do have a tripod stand, maybe I should try and use it. 

Yes I’ll do it later in the week. I’d still have to order new tap handles first.