dripping 60 year old taps All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[trainee laydeee plumb]

Hi, I'm trying to replace a washer on my elderly neighbours dripping basin hot tap. She has an old style pillar tap, which apparantly was put in 60 years ago and has NEVER needed to be fixed until now (they don't make 'em like that anymore!!).
Anyway I've found it impossible to seperate the head gear to get at the washer. I've WD40'd it 4 times now, but it still won't budge. I don't want to force it in case I crack the basin/old pipe work. Has anyone any ideas of what I can use to release the head gear?? Or is it, that after 60 years the tap is just permanently sealed now?? Any ideas much appreciated.

[stoneyboy]

trainee laydeee plumb,
Make a timber brace to fit over the tap and spout. Use a blowtorch on the tap (system drained) fit the brace and try again. Use a ring spanner on the headwork - not grips or stilsons or any other bodgers tool.
end

[trainee laydeee plumb]

ahhh thanks for that Stoneyboy. I was trying to use water pump pliers (I'd put tape round the jaws so wouldn't mark chrome on the tap) as suggested in one of my ref books, but it just wasn't providing me with any grip even tho' I was hanging onto spout and trying to turn head gear in opposite direction. Will give this a try :)