Tap valve nut size

[DIYspanner]

I've been doing maintenance on some taps and the actual valve nut seems an odd size. A 17mm spanner is a loose fit and a 16mm is too small. The house was built around 2004 so not that old.

The valves I've taken out so far have been tight in so a 17mm spanner easily slips.

What size are the valve nuts supposed to be?

 

[oldbuffer]

1. Almost certainly Imperial sizes, not metric.
2. Size depends largely on whether they are bath, basin or kitchen taps.
3. Very possibly 3/4" Whitworth (BSW) spanner required, but could be larger or smaller.
4. Best bet is a decent (e.g. Bahco) adjustable. Screwfix item 24718 is a good all-rounder.

 

[DIYspanner]

@ oldbuffer, thanks for posting!

I believe I have some Whitworth comby spanners somewhere and I certainly have an adjustable but the valves being tight in, the adjustable would likely slip.

 

[DIYspanner]

Got the tap valves loosened with a 17mm single hex deep socket.

Gave the brass a good wire brushing and applied plumbing grade silicon grease to o rings and contact points.