DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi, I’m a Canadian in London whose limited plumbing skills across the Atlantic are completely inadequate to the challenges of my 1920s flat! :-)

I have a pedestal bathroom sink with pillar taps. I want to swap them for the arched 2-hole mixer tap I’ve purchased. I suspect, if you follow me on this project journey it will be a source of great mirth for you…

Head-scratcher #1: How to get the existing pillar taps off.

These are Aston-Matthews taps. See photo. I cannot remove the handle. I can see no retaining screw under the cap (1). I can remove the shaft-screw at (2) but this doesn’t seem to release the handle above. I can loosen the nut at (3) to release the skirt/cover below it, but I cannot remove the skirt without removing the handle above it.

I don’t want to damage the taps with my ignorance. Could anyone please tell me how these Aston Matthews taps secure their top handle?

Hi chrisinlondon1470
You need to turn off the water and undo the taps underneath the sink. This will leave you with 2 tap holes but I doubt whether they will be at the right centres for a 2-hole mixer.
Good luck!
Regards S

Thanks stoneyboy — in fact, that's why I want to see if I can improve the handle-action on the existing pillar tap before I consider completing the replacement.

Back to my original question: do you have any insight into how to remove the top handle from the tap of these Aston Matthews taps?

Hi chrisinlondon
Ok remove the screw at 2 then lever off the capstan head - I generally use two open-ended spanners.
Regards S