What tool is needed? Removing tap from kitchen sink

[Gem28]

Hi, can anyone let me know what is needed to remove this very stubborn tap from the kitchen sink.

 

[Pickwickpick]

You're going to need an adjustable basin wrench/spanner to get that chrome nut removed. Once you've dropped the chrome nut, you should be able to pull the tap away from the sink enough for the copper tails to be accessible, they can come off with a small spanner or adjustable spanner.

e2a: one of these

 

[Gem28]

Wonderful, thank you Pickwickpick. Going to grab one now x

 

[townfanjon]

Wonderful, thank you Pickwickpick. Going to grab one now x

Looking at that I would dowse it in WD40 well before.

 

[Pickwickpick]

Looking at that I would dowse it in WD40 well before.

Yeh that would be a good idea, although it looks like its smeared in sealant to me, so would need to try and scrape some of it of for the WD40 to work.

You also might need to increase the leverage on the tap wrench, you could use a piece of pipe/spark plug socket on the handle.

 

[Gem28]

Cr*p the space is too small to fit the end of the spanner Are there any narrower ends?

 

[Gem28]

Quite hard to get a decent picture.

We’ve covered it in wd40 and I’ve scrubbed it with wire wool etc too

 

[Gem28]

Hopefully the lighter picture shows how tight the space is. The hinge part of the wrench is too big for it.

I wish I could meet that person who designed this sink

 

[Pickwickpick]

Are there isolation valves fitted on the 15mm copper pipe work?

 

[Burger]

If the sink/basin is off the wall, you could try an adjustable spanner or grips on the nut and turn the tap with your hand.

A big box spanner or monument tap spanner might be thinner

Monument 2 Jaw Adjustable Basin Wrench

Good luck. 🙄

 

[Pickwickpick]

That's a lot tighter than it looked from the initial pic, you're going to need to remove the copper tails so that you can get a box wrench (see pic below) onto the nut.

 

[Rob Foster]

monument basin spanner might do it, often with a coin
supa glued to one side if its too slack ...Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[townfanjon]

With the water turned off and the copper tails cut , try turning the tap body from the top , it might loosen it enough

 

[Pickwickpick]

Looks like I deleted part of my message by mistake.

To get the copper tails off, if they won't unscrew by hand, clamp onto them with some molegrips and use the grips to unscrew them (after having initial cut them off the 15mm pipework or removed them from iso valve).

If there's not enough access for you to turn the box wrench, or to extend leverage on the handle, you might find its best to have someone hold it in place for you, whilst you turn the tap (depending on what sort of tap you have, post a pic of it maybe). Once you've cracked the nut, you can then unscrew it easily with the box wrench.

 

[Gem28]

Thanks all, yeah we’ve been trying to hold the nut whilst turning the tap but no joy, it’s all just spinning.

A pic of the tap is attached.

 

[Gem28]

There’s only an isolation valve fitted on the hot.

 

[RayW]

The tool required is called a "Plumber".

 

[Pickwickpick]

There’s only an isolation valve fitted on the hot.

Have you got an isolation valve to fit on the cold side? I'd hold fire on doing anything else until you do, otherwise you could be stuck without any water at all if anything doesn't quite go to plan.

Have you got an angle grinder?

 

[Gem28]

The tool required is called a "Plumber".

Hah I’m coming to the same conclusion. I’ve done this before and it’s been incredibly simple unscrewing a small nut. I thought it’ll be a similar job.

 

[Gem28]

Have you got an isolation valve to fit on the cold side? I'd hold fire on doing anything else until you do, otherwise you could be stuck without any water at all if anything doesn't quite go to plan.

Have you got an angle grinder?

No but I know a man who does 😉 I’ll get an isolation valve for the cold but in the meantime I’ve reconnected the old tap.

 

[Gem28]

No but I know a man who does 😉 I’ll get an isolation valve for the cold but in the meantime I’ve reconnected the old tap.

( I only disconnected the pipes, thankfully didn’t cut them).

 

[Pickwickpick]

No but I know a man who does 😉 I’ll get an isolation valve for the cold but in the meantime I’ve reconnected the old tap.

It looks from the pic that shows the wrench in place like you could shave down the sides of the wrench a bit with an angle grinder enough to get it to lock onto the nut. It might not be enough to turn, but should be enough to keep the nut in place whilst you turn the tap.

Failing that, you're looking at either trying a box wrench, or cutting your losses and getting a plumber out.

 

[Pickwickpick]

( I only disconnected the pipes, thankfully didn’t cut them).

How did you disconnect the cold tail?

 

[Sharp Point]

I’d personally Cap the pipes off underneath and start by cutting the tap off with a slit disc on a grinder and then slowly start removing more material until you get to the ceramic. I pig of a job, but maybe the only way.

 

[Rob Foster]

ahh, ok uck what a place to get to. have you tried just turning the whole mixer tap anti clockwise whilst pulling it upwards at same time with someone else gripping the nut below....not being funny but experienced plumbers have very strong fingers and iron
grip...you may not be able to get the sheer force required
regards Rob Foster aka centralheatking