How to remove this awkward tap ?

MehulLakhani

MehulLakhani

MehulLakhani

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Watford
Hi All

Trying to remove and replace a very awkward tap in the bathroom.

I have cut the pipes, and now am trying to undo a plastic hex screw that seems to be holding the tap in place. I cant seem to get it to turn, and access is awful. I have the hex steel tool etc, and the 12mm one fits on snugly, but it just doesnt want to loosen.

Have tried WD40 etc. I cant get access in with a dremel to cut the steel base plate off from underneath either, all seems to be rusted together, including where the tails enter.

Any ideas ?





 
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If you have a ring-end spanner you can use it to extend the tap spanner handle for more leverage (or if you can steady it about the rotation point give it a tap with a hammer).
 
Are you sure it is a plastic nut? Try and find instructions to the same tap? Often they have a bolt.
 
As above, get the basin off if you can as it will be so much easier to work on. That metal clamp (looks like a horse shoe) underneath generally has a bolt going from the base of the tap, all the way down through the hole in the basin, then through a hole in the clamp, which then has a nut over the bolt, which you tighten down to clamp the tap onto the basin.

I’d be surprised if that’s not the case here, and you just can’t see it because something is covering it.

Edit to say, that whilst you may not be able to loosen the nut if it’s rusted on, you may be able to get the bolt to undo from the tap itself, by trying to turn the nut if that makes any sense.
 
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Just thinking actually, if it is indeed a plastic nut, if you have a soldering iron with an old tip, you could always try melting part of it to get it off.
 
Just force it, get someone to brace the tap, and make sure the monobloc spanner is securely in place so you don't slip.
If it snaps the bolt under the pressure then even better, you won't be needing it for the new tap. As mentioned above it might even just unscrew from the tap body.
 
This is why everyone should undo all the fixings/bolts or whatever on taps once every year to make sure when you need to undo it they come undone.
No - I don't do it either.
One thing I have learnt though is never tighten up anything bar tight that is next to water.
Anyway OP the best of luck and don't break anything.
 
A little late but did you manage to get it off in the end?

Possibly if it's still stuck apply some heat from a hot air gun or similar to the nut and pipe, the expansion and contraction might break the lock.

I'm having a few flashbacks to the 15 minute job in our downstairs loo to replace the taps on the mini sink, it took all afternoon and multiple trips to screwfix and toolstation despite having all the normal tools already on hand.
 
Participant said:
Remove basin so it's easier to get to.
Click to expand...

And, oddly, the seems to be absolutely nothing holding it in place.

Just cut the silicone with a Stanley knife and undo the waste and it looks like it will fall away.

But yes, the plastic ones can freeze on the nylon threads.

Glad you got the thing off in the end.
 
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