Changing a Washer

[thaigh]

Hi,

I wondered if you had any ideas about how I might access the washer for this tap, in order to change it.

I have tried unscrewing the bolt seen, but this has proved to be extremely tight.

Thanks,

 

[Blake]

The only thing you could try would be applying a little heat from a blow torch. This often frees them.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

in short you do need to undo that bolt

Heating it may help

Other than that try a socket rather than a spanner or get some 12" stillsons on it with your foot on the tap

 

[REDSAW]

take the whole lot out and put in vice and undo with socket.
that way you wont bust the basin and may in the long run be quicker.

 

[WHPES]

There is a clip missing under the splined section anyway.

 

[Alanka]

This usually works with a bit of patience (and is quite therapeutic if you think of someone you don't much like!):

Get a biggish spanner well-tightened onto the nut. Wrap the tap spout with a bit of flannel or old towel, then use a heavy rubber mallet to repeatedly whack the right-hand side of the spout with - near the end, whilst holding the spanner firmly with the other hand to prevent the nut rotating. Continue whacking until the nut loosens.

Before turning on the water supply again, check the tightness of the connections underneath the basin, as they may have loosened - unless they're flexi-hoses.

Don't you dare use a metal hammer!

(Preheating the tap body with boiling water can help.)

 

[oldplumber]

be sure to have a plumbers tel no handy to stop the flood and replace the basin and apply first aid to your newly sliced open arm, ceramics can be very sharp! good luck

 

[Alanka]

Yes.. I take your point, oldplumber! Caution!

I've used this method several times and it's always worked and nothing has been broken, but as a precaution I would advise starting off with gentle rubber mallet blows - then gradually building up the force.

Also - although most taps will rotate slightly in a basin when hit - if the tap appears to be rigidly fixed in the ceramic, it would be wise to slacken off the tap backnut before this treatment to allow it to move. This is very rare, though, I would think (?) but best to be cautious.