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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution.
I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? |
#2
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Am 24.04.2014 12:03, schrieb Gareth Davies:
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing Feed google with the term (universal) basin wrench and see what happens. HTH |
#3
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Gareth Davies wrote in
: Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...QVE/edit?usp=s haring So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? Remove the inlet pipe and get yourself a box spanner from a plumbers merchant |
#4
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Gareth Davies wrote in
: Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...QVE/edit?usp=s haring So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html? _trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xtap +box+spanner&_nkw=tap+box +spanner&_sacat=0&_from=R40 |
#5
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
In article 6,
DerbyBorn writes Gareth Davies wrote in : I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. Remove the inlet pipe and get yourself a box spanner from a plumbers merchant I'm inclined to agree, I've played with various new and old school toys to do this (and knackered elbows through over stressing on a long reach) and have always come back to a simple plumbers' box spanner. -- fred it's a ba-na-na . . . . |
#6
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
You may still have a problem with a box spanner depending on how long the flexible part of the connector is and if the nut on the other end is larger the box spanner will not fit over it. One solution to use a box spanner is cut out one of the sides of the hexagon, then extend the slot part way down the tube of the box spanner making sure the resulting slot is slightly wider than the flexible part of the connector. An angle grinder will probably make the modification easy but equally a hacksaw and a file should do. Slide the box spanner over the nut allowing the flexible part of the connector to poke out of the slot and with the connector temporarily disconnected from the inlet pipe you should be able to tighten the back nut. Do not worry about weakening the box spanner as these types of connectors have rubber washers and do not need tightening up to the same degree fibre washered connectors do.
Richard |
#7
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Gareth Davies wrote:
I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. Basin box spanners are a fiver from Toolstation. Bought one the other week, should have bought one years ago even allowing for the infrequent usage. -- Scott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? |
#8
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Cannot see the picture, but way back in my youth, I saw a plumber use what
amounted to a box spanner with an extension drive so the force could be applied beyond the narrow part of the job. Of course these taps had long pipe connection threads and hence it was then easy to do up the pipes afterwards. I also recall that he had some kind of paste that hardened to keep the taps in the right place for years. I suppose you want to do it without taking the pipes off, in that case, good luck! Brian -- From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active "Gareth Davies" wrote in message ... Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? |
#9
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
On 24/04/2014 11:03, Gareth Davies wrote:
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. Is there something obvious I am missing? remove the flexy pip, and use a standard basin wrench then refit flexy pipe. I have both of these ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLUMBERS-1...item58abc9532b but find the swivel one most useful. -- UK SelfBuild: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/UK_Selfbuild/ |
#10
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
On 24/04/2014 11:03, Gareth Davies wrote:
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? I could do it in 5 mins, but I doubt you are in the Medway Towns :-) One of the joys of being a full time handyman is that you can justify buying the right tools for the job. Box spanners specifically for this cost very little. -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk |
#11
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Gareth Davies put finger to keyboard:
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...fRUxkQVE/edit? usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? Try this: Loosen the connection by turning the tap body anti-clockwise a quarter of a turn. Do the nut up hand-tight again. Hold the nut steady and turn the tap body clockwise to tighten. |
#12
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
"Scion" wrote in message
... Gareth Davies put finger to keyboard: I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: Try this: Loosen the connection by turning the tap body anti-clockwise a quarter of a turn. Do the nut up hand-tight again. Hold the nut steady and turn the tap body clockwise to tighten. That's along the lines of what I would try. I wouldn't loosen the nut, but turn *both* tap and nut together, anti-clockwise seen from the top, perhaps rather more than 1/4 turn. Then turn the tap to it's normal position while holding the nut (with fingers if that's easier). If not completely tight, then repeat. This might need the water pipe loosened (turn off the water, or run the tap and have a towel to mop up any leaks. Note: I haven't tried this! Usually the pipe is disconnected). Remember to re-tighten. -- Bartc |
#13
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
DerbyBorn wrote:
Gareth Davies wrote in : Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...QVE/edit?usp=s haring So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html? _trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xtap +box+spanner&_nkw=tap+box +spanner&_sacat=0&_from=R40 Can not get the url to work.Have you ever tried tinyurl? |
#14
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Rick Hughes wrote:
On 24/04/2014 11:03, Gareth Davies wrote: Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. Is there something obvious I am missing? remove the flexy pip, and use a standard basin wrench then refit flexy pipe. I have both of these ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLUMBERS-1...item58abc9532b but find the swivel one most useful. He tried one of those two but said it did not work. |
#16
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
DerbyBorn wrote:
Can not get the url to work.Have you ever tried tinyurl? Sorry, http://tinyurl.com/m2jjaz8 Taa. |
#17
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
On 24/04/2014 11:03, Gareth Davies wrote:
Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? Thanks guys. This is really good advice. In the end I went for a monoblock spanner like this one: http://tinyurl.com/prfo6p8 But no job I do seems to be simple. Having wasted money on a fixed head and then a rotating head tap spanner - and then a monoblock spanner - I found that the plastic pipework under/near the sink got in the way. So I had to remove the u-bend and pipework next to it and then struggled to get it back together again. With the cost of the spanners I calculate that the "diy" job cost me just under £30 in terms of cold cash. The stress and head scratching is another story. So for about the same price and much less time I could have got someone in to do it (not a plumber - £55 minimum here - but maybe a jack of all trades). |
#18
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
On 30/04/2014 21:22, Gareth Davies wrote:
On 24/04/2014 11:03, Gareth Davies wrote: Hopefully someone can suggest an easy solution. I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. I've tried using a basin wrench - both the fixed head spanner like type and the spring loaded column type with no success. I can get the wrench on to the nut but there just isn't enough room to get a good grip or to turn the nut. Here's a picture of the problem: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3t...it?usp=sharing So far I've only managed to hand tighten the nut! I can't see a solution to this other than maybe removing the water connection pipe and then finding a very deep socket spanner to reach the nut. This would mean extra expense in buying the spanner and it would probably be just as cheap to call a plumber which also sounds like a crazy waste of money for what should be an easy job. The other option is to take the basin off the wall but I foresee problems in doing this. Is there something obvious I am missing? Thanks guys. This is really good advice. In the end I went for a monoblock spanner like this one: http://tinyurl.com/prfo6p8 But no job I do seems to be simple. Having wasted money on a fixed head and then a rotating head tap spanner - and then a monoblock spanner - I found that the plastic pipework under/near the sink got in the way. So I had to remove the u-bend and pipework next to it and then struggled to get it back together again. With the cost of the spanners I calculate that the "diy" job cost me just under £30 in terms of cold cash. The stress and head scratching is another story. So for about the same price and much less time I could have got someone in to do it (not a plumber - £55 minimum here - but maybe a jack of all trades). I would have done it for £30 'on my way home' :-) -- Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk |
#19
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
Cough, cash? :-)
Jim K |
#20
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Cannot reach basin tap to tighten
On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 9:22:44 PM UTC+1, Gareth Davies wrote:
I'm trying to tighten a loose tap on a hand basin. Thanks guys. This is really good advice. In the end I went for a monoblock spanner like this one: http://tinyurl.com/prfo6p8 But no job I do seems to be simple. Having wasted money on a fixed head and then a rotating head tap spanner - and then a monoblock spanner - I found that the plastic pipework under/near the sink got in the way. So I had to remove the u-bend and pipework next to it and then struggled to get it back together again. With the cost of the spanners I calculate that the "diy" job cost me just under �30 in terms of cold cash. The stress and head scratching is another story. So for about the same price and much less time I could have got someone in to do it (not a plumber - �55 minimum here - but maybe a jack of all trades). Now you've got the tools and ability to do all further cases of such a job - at no further cost or hassle. NT |
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