Thank you very much for the great video. You got me out of a jam and saved me having to get a plumber! Really appreciate your very helpful advice and tips!

This was so helpful for me today, thank you so much for making this video! I changed the washer on both sides of my kitchen tap all by myself. I'm so proud of myself and thrilled at how much money I've saved!

Thank you. The cold tap stopped working on the bath, which means no one can have a shower because the water was coming out far too hot. A household of 7 in a heatwave needs a working shower. Decided to try to fix it myself and every single part of the tap was fighting against me and refusing to budge. Used this video step-by-step and managed to get the job done with a few new large, vicious-looking tools. Thank you again. We have a functioning shower once more.

Great video thank you I couldn't work out how to get the top off this tap for at least an hour. Life saver.

Every time I need plumbing advice you appear to have uploaded a video in the last few days that is precisely relevant to my needs. Are you sneaking into my house at night and inspecting my plumbing? This coincidence is getting a bit strange... Many thanks for your worryingly tailored advice!

Love the new intro Al! 😘 Another helpful video! As always, TFS, stay safe and keep well! 👍💗

Thank you so much. I could not get the tiny little top caps off. After watching your video - easy. Then I had to get the shiny "bonnets" off. Your video helped me again! And no chrome chewed up!

very clear and helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your expertise and knowledge.

Worked a treat. I followed your advice with the wd40, let it soak for a couple of hours and it came out no problem, and I was able to replace with another ceramic gland. Thanks again.

Great video Al, hope to see some more soon!🔥👍.

You gave me the confidence I need to do it myself. Thanks!

Fantastic video. God bless you, my friend. Hope your health is good.

I used all these tools in the past didn't work to remove the cartridge on the hot side the I used a deep socket and ratchet did the trick thanks for sharing this video with us stay safe.

Thank you very much for this. Got me out of a tough spot!

Thanks for this, could not have sorted the problem without it :)

Good tips thankyou. It came in handy at 2am when i had to replace a tap washer in the hot water tap in the hand basin.

Thank you so much Sir. Your ideas really worked. Wandile from South Africa 🇿🇦

Top tap tips. Saved me a lot of time 👍

Good video sir no problem with my taps at the moment but just enjoy watching your videos. hope you are well !!

Thanks for this video, there is another tool you can use to get the insert out, you can use a socket wrench as long as the insert is not rounded off.

Excellent video thanks. Had to use WD40, wire brushing and an 18” adjustable spanner to get the top off my tap.

I use a correct size deep socket, so it contacts all the flat surfaces on the tap insert....gr8 vid as always...p.s uv trained Mo very well, maybe you can get him the job of weather forcaster after the news😁

Thank you very much for your help, a very informative and interesting video, great practical tips Take care Sam Ps I have just subscribed 👍👏

Bought a 22mm, £4.50, spanner to at least 'try' to get the head off my totally seized 1960s bathroom hot water tap... only to find it needed a 23mm, aaargh! I took your invaluable advice and found direct heat from a paint stripping heat-gun and a bit of brute force... freed it!!! It was only the top 2 bits of thread that were stuck... the lower threads were pristine! The rubber washer had completely crumbled away, but, only after FIVE DECADES daily use. Love your Tips & Tricks, Al...

I thought the intro was you Al after a couple of weeks of not shaving 😁 The dreaded tap repairs, they either go well or are a battle. The cap is called a shroud - well that's what I call it anyway 🤔

Big thanks from Poland!;)

This is great - just what I needed

Always great videos - thanks so much :-)

Wonderful and so helpful.... Thanks 👍

i had same problem,ended up buying a tap splitter,it worked brilliantly,just saying Al.

Excellent video; so well explained. Now I need to get a footprint grip to remove the cap on my Victorian taps. Could not loosen the ones in my bathroom.

If you have the type of wheel wrench with the 2 size socket at the end 17mm and 19mm this should do it. Has the benefit of having a long adjustable handle as well. Use the pump wrench or Stilsons in upright position to hold the tap and stop it from turning. A wooden mallet is also good for whacking the spanner before trying undo

Very informative video. Unfortunately I had already rounded the gland nut by time I watched it. I think they accidently used cheese instead of brass to make the gland in mine. I filed the nut to give me something to latch onto with an adjustable spanner, but still wouldn't budge. The thing that solved my problem was bashing it a fair amount from multiple angles with a hammer. So my advice to anyone else with nothing to lose (i.e. if you don't get it out, you'll have to replace the tap), don't be afraid to give it some (starting light, then more force if needed) with a hammer to loosen it, and filing the nut to reshape it. Best of luck people!

Doing gods work mate

Top Tip: That magnetised screwdriver or put the plug in the sink before you drop the screw down the hole. Nearly, but not always, a good quality 17mm closed ring spanner will fit and is less likely to round off the brass. "It will only take you five minutes" sayeth the customer and then, another seven dirty words. "While you are here, can you just"

My spindle head is rounded..yes good tips on what tool to use..thanks heaps

Thanks, finally got it off with the stilsons

Thank you kindly sir. I had a stubborn fitting that would not come apart. I used a better tool and with a light tap with the hammer and the seal broke and came apart very easy.

I some times use a blowtorch and that usually helps to loosen the cartridge up.

Thank you so much, Ihad tried everything the other videos had sugested to get the main barrel of the tap released and something as simple as gently tapping the barrel all round it loosened with ease, I was considering either calling a plumber or buying new taps, again thank you so much

Molegrips? Also try tightening the head just a smidgeon to crack the seal, counter intuitive I know but does work, nice video by the way

Great video

I had to change the cartridge in my kitchen mixer tap recently, I ended up using a deep socket and ratchet to remove the cartridge.

Thanks Al, very informative and useful to know. PS how long did it take to train up MO for his debut appearance on the vlog ?

Thank you so much!

The outside cover is usually held tight by limescale ( I speak from experience ) a tissue soaked in ordinary lemon juice wrapped round the offending seal and left for 30mins or so eats through it and the cover comes off .

Perhaps you should have mentioned that Stillsons and probably all these other wierd plumber's tools have a correct orientation for use. If you use them the correct way round then they tighten their grip as you turn them but if you use them the wrong way round then they loosen which leads to more graunching of the tap.

I use an adjustable spanner to get off a tight handle and a rubber strap wrench to loosen of the outer gland cover

Great video but didn't solve my problem of the rounding off of the brass 'nut' section, no matter what spanner or grip I used it was getting gradually worse. I needed to use a proper 17mm socket wrench but the splined shaft would not allow the socket to go far enough down onto the valve. Solution: hacksaw the splined shaft off, socket then fits and the valve came loose in seconds with no slipping.

Hello, thank you for your reply. I tried to upload a photo of the taps, but couldn't. I thought you may recognise the taps. I have the same type on my bath, but they are individual. Do individual taps and mixer taps, which are the same type, all come off in the same way?

Another great video, thanks. May I ask a question. My house has old plumbing with beautiful lead waste pipes from the sinks. I don’t want to remove this and would ask your advice on how I can fit a new basin/sink waste outlet to the lead. Thanking you in anticipation Steve

I secure it with short sturdy piece of tube slipped over the spout, similar to scaffold tube but wider..

What about these new-fangled mixer taps with a lever that goes up and down - seems they need some sort of fancy cartridge with a joystick on top - are they repairable or do you have to find a complete replacement as one of mine keeps dribbling?

Great video Al...I have a similair problem..but can't get the screw to even turn... Any suggestions?

Very informative video. I'm trying to fix my taps but can't get the top off. They don't have anywhere to unscrew. there is no hidden Alan key screw.

great topic we have same problem removing our easyfit bristan vegas mixer kitchen tap. we took off the grub screw by the handle and top of the mixer tap will not come off any ideas how to remove the top

Cheers Boss !!!! Xxxx

Thanks

A deep 18mm socket and long handled ratchet did it for me when the adjustable spanner kept slipping.

Get your self a impact gun socket adaptor and deep socket 17mm or 19mm should do it have that changed in minutes

Hello your videos are really clear but I can't find anything to help take my tap heads off. I have a cross head basin mixer tap with no grub screw and there is nothing on the top to lever off. The only connection which moves seems to be where the tap actually turns. It's a quarter turn tap. Any suggestions would be very welcome :)

I'm trying this very thing right now Al... I gave up earlier with an adjustable spanner before watching this as, whilst trying, I just knew they would round off the nut. I left it soaking with some penetrating fluid... (wife doesn't like the smell of it.. who would have know that ? LOL) You reminded me just now at 10:18 that I have the adjustable stillsons you showed.. (just found them) will try again tomorrow. Thanks for your videos Al.

Hi, what size spanner would you need for the brass barrel/ body bolt Derek... Just interested are they 17mm And are they all the same size for whatever tap you have.

HI, thanks for that. You didn't mention mole grips - are they a bad idea to split the tap?

Any tips on when a basin tap washer seat is cracked and therefore will still drip even with a new washer or new cartridge? I suspect I will have to replace the whole tap unit unless there is a temporary fix you could suggest?

I have removed the top cap and the internal screw from a tap that looks just like the one on your video. I can’t get the top off following that despite WD40 and tapping with the hammer. There a sort of cover which does seem to unscrew but just spins round and round. Can you help?!!

Happy Easter, wish i had not to deal with taps this weekend but there you go :), Can you help me please? I am trying to remove the cap on a tap in my bathroom but for the life of me I cannot find the way to remove the cap , usually you would get a flat head screwdriver and ping it off to reveal the screw , this one has left me clueless. Id there a way I can send you a picture of it such as to an email address ? Many thanks in advance

Or 12inch good pair of grips better leverage

From Pink Floyd to taps. Isn't KZfaq marvellous?!

Need some help......I have a mixer tap and currently having issues of taking the cold water section (Tap) apart. I've unscrewed it, but the tap itself is completely lodge on tight, so I can't take the tap off to replace it. I think it's scale that has caused it seal, I can turn it on and off but I need to take it off completely but it won't budge. I've tried DW40, Tuff Bleach that eats at scale and it still won't come off. Yet the hot tap is perfect. Is there any tips you can give to help me resolve this issue

I didn’t know Robert Fripp was tap expert.

i have the exact same tap you show on the computer screen at the start of the video needs a new washer but nothing on that tap will budge and i have tried every tool known to man do you know what kind / name of tap it is please

Hi. I have a cross-handled tap (2) and, the heads won't come off! I've tapped them, quite hard, with a soft-headed hammer. They don't have screws holding them. Can you suggest any other methods to get them off, please? Great videos!!!

Appears very simple. My tap has a swivel lever with 2 arched holes either side. Can't find any screw to loosen inside though, therefore, cannot loosen the first layer off at all. Am I missing something?

I'm having a problem with my bathroom tap and have been told it's likely the cartridge that's the issue. When I have come to remove it I've hit a stumbling block...on removing the shroud there is no nut so I can't remove the headgear with a spanner. I'm worried about damaging the thread with a wrench etc. Is this common and is there an easy fix? Thank you

Hi I have one of these fountain taps and it looks like the tap and cover is one piece. Is that possible? I can't get it to turn a bit.

What tools can I use to take off the top off the tap @1:22 to expose the screw? Where is the groove to lift off?

I have 1960s Bolding tap with teeny coloured caps hard to get off help please!

Hi, at 4'57 you remove the cover that I just can't get off. You call it a plastic cover. I don't think it's plastic on the tap I have. How the dickens do I get it off?

I've got a very tiny cap embedded in my tap, there is a screw under it, but I can't get it off, can you help?

If you film on front of a window, better lighting will make the details show up clearer.

Have tried 4 different types of spanner/grips the damn thing just won't turn, feels like it's been welded on

How do send photo to you?

Tried everything I just cannot get the bit off that exposes the nut, I'm just gonna change the taps instead ... constant fast drip

Hi, i have successfully fixed my hot tap using this video 😊, but, i have a problem... The cold tap, I managed to get the little bit on top off, revealing the screw, but cannot for love nor money undo the screw which is the x type and looks slightly stripped. Even tried electric screwdriver but probably stripped it a little more. So, how do i get it out? To make it worse i have a glass shelf above the sink which happens to be too low for most of my 'normal' screwdrivers. Please help, someone... anyone 😢

Better off removing and changing the tap entirely, these are notorious for jamming and just making life harder than it needs to be. Install an easy 3/4 turn ceramic body tap and you’ll never need half these tools again.

vinegar, wait, spanner, no luck, more vinegar, wait overnight, spanner, nope, hot wet towel and vinegar, wait, fair number of gentle taps, spanner, wow, turning...

first

Taking too long on one type of tap.

Zzzzzzzzzzz