How to replace the washer in shower tap?

Hi to all,

I am not able to unscrew the rest of the parts to get to replace the washer for my shower tap for the fear of breaking the pipe. I tried using a mallet and tapping on the handle of the tap spanner but it wouldn't budge. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice.

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @EdmundChow. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about removing a copper fitting.

I'd suggest spraying some WD40 around the outside of that fitting and trying to get it around where the threads start. You'll be spraying it around where you can see the red section. Hopefully, some might penetrate into the threads. Wait a few hours and try again. Repeat this process for the rest of the day.

If this doesn't help, you'll be left with using force to undo the fitting. There is a chance that you could damage the pipe in this process, which wouldn't be great, given it's a brick wall. Alternatively, if you are concerned, I'd recommend you enlist the service of a qualified plumber.

Please let me know if you have questions.

Mitchell

JDE

Edmund If the pictures posted are from your tap you dont unscrew any more the last piece sticking out of the wall is soldered to the pipe. If it is leaking behind here you probably need a plumber. You need to use a pair of long nose pliers to grab the end of the tap washer (brass rod you can see) and riggle it out it is not screwed in just sitting there. Make sure you get all of it often some of the old washer will break off as you pull it out. Once you have it out use a torch to check the seat (the brass bit it sits up against) is smooth with no chips out of it. If it is chipped that may be the cause of your original leak and you will need to rheam it (smooth it out) you can buy a cheap kit from Bunnings. The new washer just sits in the end of the spindle (bit you have already un done) make sure you have the tap spindle in the on position and use plumbing tape on the thread when you put it back together. JDE

MitchellMc

Hi @JDE,

You could quite well be correct there, but given @EdmundChow would have likely pulled the valve out if it were accessible, I presume something else is going on here. If you take a look at the extended spindle shaft and then the wall fitting again you'll likely note that both the spindle and the wall fitting have been extended, probably with a Kinetic 15mm Wall Tap Spindle Extender. You can see the red fibre washer where the two threaded sections are joined together. There's a good chance that the valve is captured behind the threaded extender as per my above post.

Mitchell

EdmundChow

Thanks to all,

The leak stopped when I screw back the spindle.

I haven't replaced the washers yet. The shower tap had been used for 6 years without a change of washers so I figured let sleeping dogs lie.

I might call a plumber if things get worse

MitchellMc

That's great to hear @EdmundChow. Let us know if things change, and please feel free to reach out anytime you need assistance with a project around the home and garden; we're here to help.

Mitchell

Thiw

@EdmundChow Did you end up changing this wahser. Im having the same issue just wanted to know if you did manage to change it later!?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Thiw. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks jumping into the discussion.

Hopefully, @EdmundChow can follow up if they did end up changing the washer. Do you have the same situation where the washer is captured behind a screwed-in extender? You might like to post some images so our helpful members have a better idea of what you're working with. Let me know if you need a hand uploading pictures.

Mitchell

Thiw

Hi @MitchellMc

My pictures aren't the best but yes its the same situation and i have no way of changing my washer.

MitchellMc

Just to confirm, @Thiw, the washer valve is locked in place, and you can't pull it out of the hole as it is larger than it?

If the washer is locked in position and can't be removed, you'll need to unscrew the extender, which prevents its removal. Unfortunately, your fitting has been grouted into place with cement filler, and this would need to be chiselled out to gain access to the external nut.

Sometimes washers can be a bit fiddly to remove, so grab yourself a set of needle-nosed pliers and try to wiggle it out. You might find that the washer only comes out at a very specific angle, and by using your fingers to remove it, you might not be able to angle it correctly. Give it a really good go at trying to wriggle it out with pliers before attempting to remove the copper fitting.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Thiw

@MitchellMc @Is there a tool with reverse thread i can use to remove this extender!

MitchellMc

Thanks for those pictures @Thiw. The valve washer is definitely locked behind the extender.

The extender is screwed in clockwise and is removed by unscrewing it anti-clockwise. No special tool is needed, and typically, you'd use a pipe wrench. However, the front edge of the extender looks very close to the tiles there, and I suspect you'll have trouble getting any tool onto it. Does the extender extend out past the tiles so you can get a grip on it?

These tap spanners might not go up large enough to fit onto the extender, but they could be worth a try. The largest bit is 29mm. I'm not convinced that you'd even be able to get one of these onto it, and the tile is not cut back far enough.

Tricky situation. Let me mention some of our expert troubleshooters @Nailbag, @dave1 and @Noyade.

Mitchell

Nailbag

Hi @Thiw

This is a toughie. First thought is to measure across flat to flat and see if there is a socket that will fit. This may turn out to be one that @MitchellMc @mentioned. Otherwise look to a mechanics socket which are available individually.

If one is available use a Kango multipurpose drill bit slightly larger in diameter to the sockets width. Then drill a series of holes around the extender to enlarge the opening to accomodate the socket and remove the extender.

If this doesn’t work, then considering replacing that single tile wouldn’t be a big concern. Unless of course one of the other community brains has better ideas.

Nailbag

Noyade

As per the good suggestions above.

If @Thiw applied Loctite 222 to the threads - and reinserted the spindle, and left to dry - is there a chance the extender will be removed with the spindle with the next attempt?

Just a thought.

Noyade

Before the sun sets @Thiw - I played around with my 'extended' shower taps.

I'm sure there are many variants - but mine were easily grasped with a 30 mm tubular socket that requires only 2.5 mm circumferential clearance.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers!

Noyade

Hi @MitchellMc !

"The valve washer is definitely locked behind the extender."

Late yesterday - until I read that - I was absolutely certain you could remove the washer through the extender with long-nosed piers.

Until this morning when I was playing with a spare one.

Never doubted you for a second! 😁

So when I change my shower washers - the extender must be coming away with the spindle.

Never took notice before.

Live and learn.

Cheers.

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