J
jsmalde
I am having problems removing kitchen sink tap to access washer. I tried using pipe wrench and I still cannot remove the nut. Has anyone got any suggestions or tips to remove the nut.
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J
jsmalde
I might try http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/forum.php available from screwfix. 400ml. A penetrating oil spray with -45ºC freeze action to shrink metal components for easy release. Designed to displace water and break down corrosion bonds quickly. Contains corrosion inhibitors. Many thanks for your help I will use stilsons too to try this out but maybe first spray it.
Grip the nut with a big spanner, adjusted as tight as possible. Hold the spanner firmly with one hand while you whack the spout on its right-hand side repeatedly with a rubber mallet. The spanner prevents the whole tap rotating in the sink, while the mallet blows gradually shock the nut open. It must be a rubber mallet -- do NOT be tempted to use a metal one with cloth etc. wrapped around the spout! You'll damage it.
Hope this helps -- it's never failed me.
Hope this helps -- it's never failed me.
Perhaps I misunderstood? I read it that jsmalde was trying to remove the tap mechanism only (from the top of the sink) to get at the washer and valve seating within, with a view to replacing the washer, and possibly regrinding the seat. If this is so, then you would want to hit the spout on its righthand side -- to apply an opposite counterclockwise turning force on the mechanism top nut to undo it. Think about it!
However, if he meant remove the entire tap from the sink (why?), then yes, you would have to hit the spout on its lefthand side, whilst gripping the backnut beneath the sink, with, say, a BearHug wrench or the like. This would apply a counterclockwise force to the backnut, to undo it.
P.S. By the way, Best, most tap backnuts are made of plastic nowadays, so you'd have to watch it before applying a blowlamp! If you can get boiling water into the joint, that sometimes helps, plus a quick spray of WD-40. But the rubber mallet shock treatment usually works.
However, if he meant remove the entire tap from the sink (why?), then yes, you would have to hit the spout on its lefthand side, whilst gripping the backnut beneath the sink, with, say, a BearHug wrench or the like. This would apply a counterclockwise force to the backnut, to undo it.
P.S. By the way, Best, most tap backnuts are made of plastic nowadays, so you'd have to watch it before applying a blowlamp! If you can get boiling water into the joint, that sometimes helps, plus a quick spray of WD-40. But the rubber mallet shock treatment usually works.
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You could be right Alanka. But jsmalde did say he was removing kitchen taps & trying to remove the nut, so I thought "washer" was perhaps the washer between sink & tap.
Still a lot of taps come with brass back nuts, oddly even cheap taps. Better to replace plastic nuts with brass so the tap can be well tightened & you really don't want a plastic nut breaking on, say a bath tap, especially at the far side of the bath where you can't get at!
If it is just the works of tap needing removed, then a sharp blow to the spanner should work, providing the tap can't move. A socket on some of the spindles can be better as grips all of spindle.
Still a lot of taps come with brass back nuts, oddly even cheap taps. Better to replace plastic nuts with brass so the tap can be well tightened & you really don't want a plastic nut breaking on, say a bath tap, especially at the far side of the bath where you can't get at!
If it is just the works of tap needing removed, then a sharp blow to the spanner should work, providing the tap can't move. A socket on some of the spindles can be better as grips all of spindle.
M
maxie.alioto
No special trick. Simply pop off the top cover and unscrew the handle. Good Luck!!
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