Snapped tap top off in on position cant now switch off any ideas?

NotSoSuperMario · Mar 3, 2012

Hi,
I had a go at replacing a tap washer tonight it should have been the easiest thing in the world but as you have probably guessed from my username it didnt go so well. I could not see any cap at the top where a screw might be hiding so I thought it might be one that you have to unscrew / turn to the on position and then keep screwing to reveal a screw actually on the stem. Anyway in trying this I met resistance, thinking it was just stiff ( its an old tap) I gave it a tweek with a wrench and the tap top has snapped of from the stem, it cant be screwed back on 🙁 Worse still its an old bathroom sink with no isolating valve so the water to the whole house has had to be switched off. Can any of you offer any advice eg a tool that I could use to turn what is left of the stem so the tap is in the off postion as you would be able to if it hadnt snapped off from the tap top ? I have tried an adjustable spanner with no luck. I will have to replace the whole tap now rather than just the washer but in the short term Im just desperate to get this tap back to the off position so I can turn the mains water back on.
Please help if you can.
Thankyou.

Mike Jackson · Mar 3, 2012

Water pump pliers or a pair of mole grips.

Barry98 · Mar 3, 2012

id be getting your sen down to screwfix for a isolator valve straight away then carry on repairing . least you will have you water back on and the mrs off your back

NotSoSuperMario · Mar 3, 2012

How did you know about the mrs being on my back. You cant hear her all the way in Yorkshire can you? Or maybe you can knowing her lol 😉
Thanks for your replies, now that the water is off I better get the tap replaced but I think I will leave that to a professional if I could cause this much carnage just changing a washer it would probably be flippers and snorkles time if I tried anything more advanced.
Cheers for your help.