Dumb*** plumbing question.

[CSR Performance]

I need to remove the tap on a tiny sink/vanity unit.

Looks very similar to this (if it's not this exact one):


I have one of these:


It doesn't fit the nut on the underside of the tap. It's probably 1-2mm too small between the flats. I thought all these fittings were standard?!?

Just measured the spanner and its 32mm (32.3 to be precise).

Is there another standard size I need? I would guess 34mm A/F on the nut, but my googlefu is failing me.

[mgtony]

One of the sprung tap spanners should work but both that one and yours are difficult in very limited space. Your spanner would normally fit the nuts directly to the hot and cold feed supply on a different style of tap, not the big nut securing the tap itself. Alternative may be a crows foot spanner with small amount on each turn.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-adjustable-...

Edited by mgtony on Monday 27th April 21:01

[CSR Performance]

That might work, thank you

[Panamax]

Imperial spanner on a metric nut??

Either way, get yourself that "tap spanner" from Screwfix.

[CSR Performance]

I didn't know it was metric until the imperial spanner didn't fit! I can't even get my hand up there, let alone a vernier.

[netherfield]

We've a very similar sink, except the tap is on the side not the back, I've just looked now and it has an elongated nut which makes it easier to undo, come almost to the bottom of the basin.

I recall when the guy fitted it , he got it as tight as he could from below, then with a rubber hammer knocked the tap around from above to tighten it a little more.

[netherfield]

netherfield said:

We've a very similar sink, except the tap is on the side not the back, I've just looked now and it has an elongated nut which makes it easier to undo, come almost to the bottom of the basin.

I recall when the guy fitted it , he got it as tight as he could from below, then with a rubber hammer knocked the tap around from above to tighten it a little more.

[mgtony]

For undoing, you might be able to hold the nut with a couple of fingers and then rotate the tap from above a bit to release the tension. Might need a another person if you're not feeling agile! Either the nut might undo or the threaded shaft the nut is on which will be screwed into the tap body might come out. Replacing it, they normally come with the half moon type fixing, meaning they are a bit easier to do up with a box/deep spanner and screwdriver.