How to remove bathtub tap?

[GoodOne]

Hiya,

I would like to replace my tap to a mixer tap. However, i can't release the top slicer nut (A), but i could unscrew the copper one (B).

Is there a way that i could do it. Can i just turn the tap itself?

 

[Madrab]

Buy one of these

 

[thereisawizza]

Buy one of these

If you can swing the pipe out the way.... Looks like it's a lead washer and boss-white job, joy....

@GoodOne , one trick if you can't get it undone is warm it up really hot with a hairdryer, might soften the paste slightly. Obviously check you're not going to damage anything in the vicinity tho

 

[denso13]

Can i just turn the tap itself?

You could try, especially if you're not keeping the old ones. Once it starts moving you should be ok.

 

[Burnerman]

Best of luck reaching the other one, mate
John

 

[Terrywookfit]

It looks like an old bath with square tap holes and lugs on the taps.
Rather you than me. The other tap looks a B'astard .

 

[Steelmasons]

Those taps look like they've been made in with plaster (how it used to be done)..
Possibly the OP might regret not employing the services of the plumber who quoted an exorbitant price to change those taps..

 

[GoodOne]

Looks like it's a lead washer and boss-white job

Does that mean it joined like a glue?

 

[thereisawizza]

Does that mean it joined like a glue?

Basically that generation of plumbing was "chuck everything at it so it doesn't move". Not plaster; will normally be a mixture resembling window putty, one of the mature plumbers will along shortly to correct me no doubt.

All in all, this is a pig of a job even us experienced guys loathe so you must be brave

 

[gigz]

I would cut a measured section of the copper out, this will give you more room to get the tap spanner in. Fit new taps and use flexi's to reconnect.

 

[phod]

Good chance that is imperial pipework.
decades old bathtaps - great for revealing your latent Tourettes Syndrome...

 

[oilboffin]

Yup the old boys used putty and over the years it sets like iron,it will take a lot of brute force.
I have an old ring spanner which has twelve teeth which let's it move just a little bit at a time,I also have a long box spanner to give me purchase. I wish you lots of luckBob.

 

[GoodOne]

warm it up really hot with a hairdryer

You think i can use a blow torch on it?

 

[durhamplumber]

had one like that few weeks ago.bent box spanner.stilsons would not touch it.square hole so could not twist tap.ended up with deep socket and 2ft breaker bar on it to remove nut.That was the easy bit..putty sets like rock..cast iron bath so battered 10bags out of bottom of tap with lump hammer.took me ferkin hrs....was i pi....d off!!!..GOOD LUCK.they made stuff to last 40 years ago!!oh yes....and it was imperial pipe!..aaaarghhhhhh.l wouldnt be going near it with extreme heat..even hot hair dryer might discolour bath...

 

[polesapart]

You think i can use a blow torch on it?

Yes. Goldilocks amount. Too much may discolour bath enamel

With right wrenches hot tap will be ok, cold looks a s*d*mite.

Good luck!