Stuck Tap Cartridge - any tips?

oldskoo1

Hi all 

I have replaced a couple of tap cartridges with two stubborn ones remaining. They might be 15-20 years old so its (hard water area) mineral build up.

I've tried longer/leverage on the spanner (I don't have a specific tap spanner). The tap head is hard enough but its the cartridge that won't budge and I've stopped before I round it. Any tips such as an effective soak solution, before I have someone cut it off at the pipe?   

Thank you 

FreeBear

oldskoo1 said: Any tips such as an effective soak solution, before I have someone cut it off at the pipe?

Full fat Coca Cola - It is acidic, so will eat away at some of the scale and lubricate the threads slightly. PlusGas may also work if you have a tin to hand.

nofoollikeold

1.  Photograph(s) would help.
2. Try Kilrock scale remover.  Make sure you have windows open if possible.  If in a difficult (e.g. vertical) place, soak some tissue paper with Kilrock and apply.  Replace frequently (every 5 minutes or so).
3. After Kilrock treatment, pour very hot water over tap works to try and expand / break seal.  If over a stainless steel sink, OK to use boiling water, otherwise just very hot.  

ThisIsWeird

Depending on the tap style, there are special tools available that can undo the cartridge whilst holding the tap steady - very cool!

So, photo, please, as requested.

oldskoo1

Hi all 

Thank you for the replies everyone, much appreciated and very helpful. I have some reasonably good scale away solution I will try soaking first. 

The photo of one of the taps as follows:

jefaz07

oldskoo1 said:

Hi all 

Thank you for the replies everyone, much appreciated and very helpful. I have some reasonably good scale away solution I will try soaking first. 

The photo of one of the taps as follows:

I’ve just had a reviver kit to replace a set of bath taps. 

They won’t budge. So I’m just changing the taps. 

Easier and not much more of an expense. 

ThisIsWeird

oldskoo1 said:

Hi all 

Thank you for the replies everyone, much appreciated and very helpful. I have some reasonably good scale away solution I will try soaking first. 

The photo of one of the taps as follows:

This should do it: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273798570718?

Your call whether it's worth it.

If you reckon it is, then buy a tube of silicone grease, too, and liberally coat all the threads and rubber O rings on reassembly, and nip the new cartridges up, but not excessively - hopefully they won't be so hard to remove should a next time come along. Then sell on the tool for pretty much what you paid for it - I bet you'd get at least £30.

daivid

I use a socket set rather than a spanner, with good 6 faced sockets there is no risk of slipping or rounding. The scale on yours does look like it needs some clearing/lubrication. I would think heat is a nonstarter, as I'd expect sufficient heat to free up the cartridge would inevitably damage the tap.

ThisIsWeird

The usual problem is that you cannot grip the tap body firmly enough, so you end up turning the whole damned lot. That's why that tool is so clever.

GDB2222

If you can’t remove the tap head, what are your chances of removing the tap itself? 

ThisIsWeird

GDB2222 said:

If you can’t remove the tap head, what are your chances of removing the tap itself? 

In my experience, the tap moves a bit, just enough to be slightly loose from then on, nigh on impossible to retighten due to gunk on the securing nut, leaving the tap valve unrepaired, requiring increasingly-firm ons and offs, leading to extra looseness of the body and ultimately a leaking pipe joint.
Whhhaaaaaaaaaaaa....