Plumbing issue - unable to unscrew faucet flange

Council regulations require taps to be siliconed. Some overzealous plumber must have siliconed the Caroma cone shaped flange making it unable to be unscrewed without damaging it. Any solutions to unscrew the chromed flange without damaging it?unopenable flange

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Jason

Welcome to Workshop @AndrewL. We're pleased to have you join us and trust that you'll get loads of useful advice and inspiration for your projects from our clever and creative members.

Let me tag some of our members with plumbing experience for you, including @redracer01, @MitchellM and @LePallet. Hopefully they will be able to provide some suggestions for this problem.

Thanks for joining in the discussion.

Jason

LePallet

@AndrewL I have never heard of this being done and I doubt yours will be done,. Even if it is done, nothing will be damaged as it’s only silicone so just twist hard and get the flange off, then peel the silicone off

redracer01

You could try a few drops of kerosene to soften up the silicone. There are also silicone removers available at Bunnings. Just dont know how it will affect the chrome. Im afraid this is on the hard level as the silicone has set and solidified itself on the body of the spindle. You can purchase similar spindles, handles and covers in caroma. How ever you may not have a choice bit to destroy your current set.

MitchellM

@AndrewLRegardless of whether it has been siliconed or not, tapered flanges are notoriously hard to remove. There are no squared surfaces to get a grip on which can be a pain in and of itself, especially if the thread are semi-seized.
You could try one of two things I can think of-
1. Apply copious amount of tape around the flange, perhaps blue painters tapes, several layers should surfice. Then try multi-grip etc, but be careful as if you penetrate the tape, you will scratch the flanges.
2. I've got spindles out before using this method, though it would not be recommended by the manufacturer. First (with water off at the isolator or main) turn the handle anti-clockwise as if turning the water on, remove the handle and expose the top of the spindle, attach multi-grips/spanner to the top of the spindle and turn anti-clockwise.
This is effectively doing the same thing to the spindle as removing the flange and using a tap spanner on the nut of the spindle. The caveat is, the spindle is not designed to be removed that way, but if you can't gain access I've used this method several times before.

redracer01

If push comes to shove you will have to crush the bottom of the flange with multi grips. Its wide jaw should be sufficient to crimp the steel and then you can forcefully turn anti clockwise.

AndrewL

UPDATE: SOLVED
Thanks to all who replied. Have finally managed to open the flanges without damaging the chrome. Sprayed WD40 several times to loosen the silicon/corrosion. Bought the large Haron Strap Wrech from Bunnings and gave it several hard turns. Have replaced the faucets with quarter turn ceramic ones that I found on clearance at Bunnings!

MichaelK

A good solution 🙂

Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion @MichaelK.

Let me extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. We look forward to reading about your own plans and projects. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share.

Jason

GFowler

Thanks

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Workshop community @GFowler.

It's great to have you join us and I'm sure @AndrewL appreciates the feedback. Do you have some stuck taps you need to deal with? If you need any advice feel free to start a new discussion so we can provide some assistance.

Mitchell

diyer_amature

I have same issue with exactly same kind of faucet. I don't think mine is siliconed only not opened in long time. Even dousing in WD-40 and using strap wrench did not work 🙁

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @diyer_amature.

It's great to have you join us and I'm sorry to hear you are having issues with your own taps. Have you tried taking a utility knife and running the blade around the flange between it and the sink top? After removing the tap handle what shape is the top of the spindle? If you are replacing the taps, the next more destructive tool would be multi-grips, there is a high chance of damaging the chrome flange but they are more likely to grip onto the metal.

If you continue to have issues, I would encourage you to start a new discussion with pictures of your taps so more members are able to assist with a solution.

Mitchell

Noyade

Same experience here.

As you say Mitchell - in the end I had to use multigrips to remove it and filed back the minor damage which resulted, keeping in mind I "intend" to renovate the bathroom in the near future.

They are incredibly hard to get a proper grip on with your hand.

diyer_amature

Was able to use the tool shown here https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Bathroom-and-Laundry/How-to-open-the-tap-to-replace-washer/td-p/115038

to open the cover. Now don't know how to open the spindle 🙁

MitchellMc

Hi @diyer_amature,

A tap spanner is used to remove the spindle. Alternatively, an adjustable wrench can come in handy if the spindle is stuck.

It looks like you've already had a go at removing the spindle; what tool are you using? If the spindle doesn't want to budge, spray some WD40 into the gap I've marked below and try again the following day.

Mitchell

diyer_amature

No luck 🙁

Is there any plumber serving northern Melbourne suburbs (3064)? Message me 🙂

Noyade

Afternoon @diyer_amature

"No luck"

Did you try the tap spanner that @MitchellMc suggested above? I wouldn't be using a shifter, looks like you've already burred some edges.

You can use an extra long steel rod for leverage - the ones that come with the kits are too small - in my opinion.

A nice fitting tap spanner and plenty of leverage should work.

Don't let that tap defeat you! 😁

diyer_amature

Thanks @Noyade

I am worried that using too much force may damage the assembly under the sink. It has already started dripping a little from connecting pipe from this to the tap.

EricL

Hello @diyer_amature

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @MitchellMc and @Noyade. Just to add to the suggestions already made, I recommend using the IRWIN Plumber's Tap Spanner Set - 6 Piece. These tap spanner sets are specifically designed to fit into standard spindles and are designed not to slip out. When taps are repaired and the spindle is fitted in too tightly binding will often occur. I suggest applying steady pressure to the spindle until it begins to loosen up.

However, if after numerous attempts you are still unable to make the spindle move, I suggest posting the job on either Airtasker or Hipages. My best tip is to put in as many details as you can about the job so that you can get an immediate response.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your tapware fixed.

Eric

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