Using the Right Tools. There are a number of different approaches you can try when trying to loosen a stuck faucet cap. Keep your propane torch straight and avoid using high flames unless necessary. The problem gets even more complicated when a corroded faucet nut that secures your fixture gets stuck. Clean the handle and loosen the nut slightly. Apply the best penetrating oil … Ensure that the surrounding area is free of any valuable items as the action requires a … How to Paint a Brass Light Fixture in a Chrome Color, How to Replace a Ceiling Mounted Pull Chain Light Fixture, How to Remove Lacquer From Outdoor Copper Lighting, This Old House: Loosening a Stuck Plumbing Nut, BernzOmatic.com: Propane Torch Safety Warnings, How to Unfreeze the Nut on a Plumbing Fixture, How to Get Grout Out of a Drain With an Auger. You can tap the fixture sharply with a solid rubber mallet if it doesn’t turn. – Randall Apr 16 '20 at 15:29 Clean And Prep It’s a good idea to shut off the water supply before you try to bully a valve into submission. Considering the tight quarters and cramped up space, the process of removing a stuck tap cover or breaking loose a stuck faucet can be a daunting task. You should make sure you shut off the primary water supply source if water continues draining even after closing the valves beneath the sink. In many cases, though, it is possible to loosen the stuck plumbing fixture. Try turning the handle in both directions as this can often loosen the seized part. Since retiring from the news business in 2008, Kirchhoff takes care of a 12-acre rural Michigan lakefront property and applies his experience to his vegetable and flower gardens and home repair and renovation projects. It's still in the casing, as I didn't want to remove the whole faucet. Read on: Most faucets have plumbing nuts that act as connectors for the water moving inside the fixtures. The reason the tap handle wouldn’t turn was because the spindle (the inner valve of the tap handle, see picture below) was jammed in place. The technique for removing a stubborn cap relies on whether it pops or screws. You’ll need to look inside the stuck faucet to inspect it and understand the problem. Step 3 Fit an adjustable wrench over the locknut and turn in a counterclockwise direction to release the stuck fitting. if its the hot water tap , run it for 5 mins to get it nice and hot, then use your pipe wrench with a 1 metre or longer pipe over it to yield some added leverage. With the right plumbing repair techniques, you can easily remove the old faucet and install a contemporary design for an enhanced interior décor and functionality. Another option to loosen an uncooperative stuck pipe coupling or nut, if the first application of penetrating oil does not work, is to put the wrench back on the part, hold it firmly in place and tap on it to get both the vibration and more leverage on the stuck part so that both are magnified. First, shut off the faucet water supply before disassembling it. Disassembling a Stuck Faucet Handle. If your plumbing fixture has been around for several years, there is a great chance that its attached nuts are corroded. Use the hairdryer to heat up the corroded area if it’s still suck. Tighten the fixture or plumbing nut with a wrench or locking pliers to break the grip of the mineral deposits; then turn in the opposite direction to loosen it. Herb Kirchhoff has more than three decades of hands-on experience as an avid garden hobbyist and home handyman. Now you may use a set of pliers to break and pull out the stuck plumbing nut. To loosen the faucet, you can put a wrench on its nozzle and strike it with the hammer. Brush the vinegar onto the top of the stuck faucet cap. The heat will make the fixture or nut expand, which may break it loose. This step involves applying calcium, lime, and other rust removers on the natural deposits on the surface of the faucet or tap and allow them to work their magic. Disassembling Your Stuck Tap Handle First, you need to get a good look at the inside of the faucet to understand what the problem is and how to fix it. Try turning it again. Use caution, as some of th… Always remember to turn off the water before starting to disassemble a faucet in any way. Use penetrating oil into the corroded joint to lose the grip. A threaded plumbing fixture such as a shower head, faucet or aerator can become stuck due to mineral deposits that accumulate over time. I've turned off the water supply using the tap isolation valve fitted beneath the sink. Removing the cover is one of the first steps in any tap or faucet repair job. It was the stuck nut that was holding the faucet in place. At this point, if the water faucet hasn’t loosened, consider applying heat to the plumbing fixture using a heat gun or a hairdryer. The heat may be able to break or loosen the bonds as the metal swells. You can also use a brush to scrape off the mineral deposits from the plumbing fixture. Using the Right Tools. Use the wrench again to see if the area has loosened enough to turn. Is your stopcock jammed solid and you cannot move it? Be sure not to overtighten; the screw needs to be tight enough that the faucet doesn't leak but not so tight that it introduces stress inside the handle. Slide the handle back into position, replace the set screw and tighten. Scrape off bits of corrosion with the wire brush as they come loose. Sweet Home Digest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we get a commission from advertisement and purchases made through links displayed on this site. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Try tapping the body of the valve with the handle of a wench or adjustable spanner while you turn the valve will do the job. Some faucet covers unscrew, and some pop out free. Have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water on hand, and wear heat-resistant gloves and eye protection. Warm up the body of the valve with a hair dryer, or (carefully) with a blowtorch might expand the body of the valve enough to allow the gate (or other moving parts) to move more freely. Turn the fixture or nut to loosen it. Tap the fitting several times with a brass hammer to loosen any debris on the fitting threads. If your faucet is still stuck, let the metal cool down before moving on to the next step. Loosening a faucet is of the many plumbing solutions you’ll need to maximize the lifespan and performance of your home’s plumbing system. © 2021 Sweet Home Digest, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6jP59s076g, How to Uninstall a Kitchen Faucet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6jP59s076g), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZORe9xb-vC4, How to Remove a Bathroom Faucet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZORe9xb-vC4), Should A Washer Go On Nut Side Or The Bolt Side, Shower Water Not Getting Hot – Shower Temperature Handle Malfunction. In the end, you may need a special tool to remove the shower handle. When it was taken out of the vanity basin, it was green in colour and had a bit of calcification. Tap again with the hammer to help the oil work its way into the valve. If it doesn’t break free, move to step two. Most plumbing fixtures include a small plastic or metal disk that secures the faucet’s inner mechanics and works as a decorative cap or cover. If it still hasn’t loosened, apply a combination of tapping, heat and penetrating lubricant. Once the problematic nut is out of the way, the rest of the faucet will dismantle easily. I'm obviously an amateur, but I don't want to be a failure. Ensure that the surrounding area is free of any valuable items as the action requires a sharp striking motion against the plumbing nut. First, shut off the faucet water supply before disassembling it. At this stage, if the faucet or plumbing nut doesn’t budge, you may need to consider cutting it with a hacksaw. Warning: Strictly avoid using propane torch on plastic faucets as they’ll melt away. The tools and materials required for removing a stuck tap or plumbing nut are readily available. Turn off the water supply to the sink. Use the wrench again to see if the area has loosened enough to turn. These plastic caps are usually disguised as the temperature indicators on the top of the faucet. Create more torque with the wrenches by lengthening the handles with 2-foot lengths of 1-inch metal pipe. Then, apply a powerful lubricant such as the WD-40 on your faucet and allow it to soak for up to 24 hours. Make sure that the surrounding area is free of any valuable items as the action to strike the motion against the plumbing nut. To loosen the faucet, you can put a wrench on its nozzle and strike it with the hammer. Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by flicka, Dec 22, 2004. flicka New Member. Get yourself down the local merchants and ask for a pair of tap revivers.It sounds like the threads have gone on your taps.If this doesn't work,start your own plumbing business,employ a love slave,and tell him to sort it.If this doesn't work,hit him/her,and call a plumber,who will diagnose either new taps or incompetence.I am on my second bottle of wine,by the way! This will help break up any calcium deposits that may be causing the cap to stick. They were stuck good and tight. 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