I am trying to fox the leaking of laundry tap i am unable to open the spindle, i have tried using plumbers spanner set but in vain. I am unable to use the wrenchnis it is sitting to inside the hole.
Can anyone suggest a better way.
Hi @joejude1,
Welcome to Bunnings Workshop, it is awesome to have you here.
That fitting looks like it might be left-hand threaded, so you turn it the opposite direction to loosen it, the more I think about this, the more I think I'm wrong.
If this fitting will not budge, look at getting some penetrating oil in a spray can, CRC does this product (it is so much better than WD-40 or CRC 5.56) and douse the joint between the fittings, leave it for 30 minutes and try again.
One other thing is if you are going to loosen plumbing fittings of any kind, you need to have a second set of slip-jaw pliers on the other fitting you are taking the screwed fitting out of, this ensures (usually) that nothing else breaks or gets bent during the removal.
As a rule, left-hand threads are only used for things like flammable gases, so that people don't mess with systems like this, maybe that was all the installing plumber had at the time, I don't know.
Just be careful with brass though, it is a very soft metal and will snap off if you look at it the wrong way, just be careful.
Should you require any further assistance, by all means let us know.
Cheers,
Mike T.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
The tap spanner you've got is going to be the best tool for the job. Are you using the extension bar with it? The extra leverage it provides can make quite a difference when you're dealing with a tap that hasn't been removed for many years.
If it still won't budge, I'd spray some WD-40 around the threaded connection and give it some time to penetrate before trying again.
A little bit of percussive persuasion can also help. Give the fitting a few firm taps with a hammer around its circumference, taking care not to hit it hard enough to cause damage. The vibration can sometimes help break up corrosion or deposits that are locking the threads together. You can then apply some more WD-40, allow it to penetrate and try the tap spanner again.
The next step would be applying some heat to the metal fitting using a heat gun. Heating the fitting causes it to expand slightly, which can sometimes help free stubborn threads. You don't need to get it extremely hot, and I'd certainly avoid using an open flame. Be particularly careful of plastic components, seals and anything combustible nearby.
Remember that the fitting can remain extremely hot for some time after you've finished heating it. Wear suitable protective gloves and don't touch the fitting with bare hands until you're certain it has cooled down.
If you've tried these options and it still won't move, I'd suggest calling a plumber. At a certain point, applying more and more force risks damaging the fitting or pipework behind the wall, which could turn a relatively straightforward repair into a much bigger job.
Let me know how you go.
Jacob
"The tap spanner you've got is going to be the best tool for the job. "
Totally agree @JacobZ. Can you do me a favor and have a close look at @joejude1's tube spanner? I admit to being severely myopic with mild cataracts - but are the sides 'pinched' in?? No way would this work?
Or is it an optical illusion with the shadows/reflections?
Happy Father's Day!
Hi @Noyade,
It does seem to be slightly concave, but I think this is a bit of an optical illusion created because the end of the tap spanner is pinched to reduce the diameter of the tube down to the correct size.
You can sort of see the same effect on the images for the https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-6-piece-tape-spanner-set_p0924469 .
In saying this, if there is a slight concave in the tap spanner @joejude1 is using, it could be a contributing factor, and it may be worth looking at.
