Help Bath Tap

[nutter]

Hi Basically
I have run into a problem during trying to fit mixing taps/Shower And the problem i have faced is i cannot remove the bolt which connects from the hot water pipe to the tap as i have no room to move with my spanner it doesnt even give a tad of movement (Also its the furthest one away from me and the bath is up against the wall). The pipes are so old that there not even flexiable from the pipe to the tap. Just solid so i dont really want to remove them . Anyone have any ideas on what to do?? also are there any tools that grip the 22mm bolt from beneath? Thks Dan

 

[Winston]

I take it you are using a tap spanner, crows foot or a set of jaw droppers are you a plumber and I dont mean that as in being rude. If you are not a plumber a crows foot is pretty cheap to buy, and dont forget the fibre washer, please.

However if the taps have been on for a long time ie decades you maybe can't get them off.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[nutter]

Thanks Mate you wouldnt believe what i was trying to use (Normal Adjustable spanner) lol Anyway ill go and purchase one of them. No im not a plumber yet but just started college Learning ATM . Thanks for your help mate Cheers.

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

Who made bath's with holes you can't reach except when the bath is out? 🙂 🙂

Its a struggle mark one, if they will not come out.
In the past I have had to cut the pipe to get a box spanner on. I also use a swinging arm crow foot, but even these are a bit awkward if the back nut is tight.

Been looking at the new tap spanners but most seem to have big head sets and look as though you would have problems turning them.

One of the worst scenarios is having to cut the taps out. Fine tooth blade under the tap bath rim. Takes ages but works. The trick is not to cut the bath to bits. But usually plenty of WD40 sprayed on the nut does it, but don't let it go on the bath itself it seems to act as a semi solvent. I have never bothered to read the whole label on WD40 but I know it gets marks of pvc so it must do something to it.

 

[Winston]

Jaw droppers are very very good but at £40/50 a pop you need to justify the cost, but can save alot of elbow grease. If the bath is metal sometimes applying a little heat helps. But be careful you dont want to damage the bath or yourself.

 

[Phil]

Are the Jaw droppers better than the bear hug wrenches?

 

[Plouasne]

This must be yet another vindication of wall mounted over the bath, bath valves

 

[stevetheplumber]

Hmm!

Who made bath's with holes you can't reach except when the bath is out? 🙂 🙂

Its a struggle mark one, if they will not come out.
In the past I have had to cut the pipe to get a box spanner on. I also use a swinging arm crow foot, but even these are a bit awkward if the back nut is tight.

Been looking at the new tap spanners but most seem to have big head sets and look as though you would have problems turning them.

One of the worst scenarios is having to cut the taps out. Fine tooth blade under the tap bath rim. Takes ages but works. The trick is not to cut the bath to bits. But usually plenty of WD40 sprayed on the nut does it, but don't let it go on the bath itself it seems to act as a semi solvent. I have never bothered to read the whole label on WD40 but I know it gets marks of pvc so it must do something to it.

i never cut that way because its so difficult to not mark the bath i use a blade to cut of the taps close to the bath then use a long thin blade to cut down the stem twice which allows the tread to collapse in the back nut
all above refers to using the jigsaw or a sabresaw

 

[Winston]

Not sure what bear hug wrenches are 😕