Thread: Help removing an old tap

Hey guys I'm hoping someone can help me with this. A new property we bought has an old bungalow out the back that hasn't been used for years and I've started cleaning it up hoping to get it back into liveable condition. One problem with it is that the taps leak quite significantly.


I've read all over the internet about changing washers to stop leaking etc but these taps don't seem to conform to anything anyone has mentioned. They basically have a small cap on the end which unscrews, the handle itself, and, underneath all this what appears to be a white tube/stopper.


The big problem is that I can't remove the tap itself, I can unscrew the cap and take it off (pic 1) but I can't take the handle off, it won't budge and I can't unscrew it.


What I can do is turn the tap on full and push the metal backing against it (its usually pushed back by a spring) where I can see the underneath that has what appears to be a hexagonal metal bit going into the wall with a white plastic cap (pic 2)


This is all I can really see at the moment, does anyone have any suggestions how I'd get these taps off? I've never seen anything like them before.


Help much appreciated


http://i.imgur.com/lWdeI.jpg -Pic1
http://i.imgur.com/pjeMv.jpg -pic2

One of these type pullers should do it.

Tap Handle & Nut Puller - Tools :: Fix-A-Tap Plumbing Supplies, Australia

The hex shaped metal is the clue, I'd try a large shifter on that bit, likely to be the spindle, you may not have to remove the handle.

That tap does come off. It is rusted on. WD40. Leave for 10min. Block of pine wood and light taps with hammer on each corner of the tap.

Originally Posted by Bedford

One of these type pullers should do it.

Tap Handle & Nut Puller - Tools :: Fix-A-Tap Plumbing Supplies, Australia

Originally Posted by gpkennedy

That tap does come off. It is rusted on. WD40. Leave for 10min. Block of pine wood and light taps with hammer on each corner of the tap.

Try a combination of these. Use WD40 or similar to loosen any corrosion or rust. A couple of taps with a hammer will help loosen any bonds. Then use a tap or gear puller. What I have found with my tap puller was the plain stem was too long and likely to bend so I cut it off just below where the thread ended. I have had quite a few successes pulling off tap handles. One risk with using the tap handle puller is damaging the thread for the handle retaining nut.

You might decide that once you have the handle off that you will replace the handle and spindle.