Changing Basin Taps That Have Been Cemented On.

[Yorkie]

Hi all,

I'm gonna fit some new taps to our old sink in the bathroom,
but because I'm a crap plumber, I need some help.

The existing ones look like they've been fixed on to the basin
with some kind of cement or putty which of course is rock hard.
I presume this has been used to stop the taps from spinning round.

Now, before I try and remove them, I would like some advice.

Should they be easy to remove, or will dynamite be required ?
I don't want a small job to turn into a major one (you know
what I mean), so any advice will be appreciated.

Also, is the use of cement/putty the normal way to fix taps on,
or is normally not necessary ?

Thanks in advance.

Yorkie.

 

[kevplumb]

if you can get the backnuts loose (usually a job in itself)

try wiggling the taps about if you can get them to move they will come out

also try a spot of heat BE CAREFUL

 

[doitall]

Address the issues with the client first as you stand a very good chance of breaking the basin, and you could be buying him a new one at your cost if you don't put him in the picture first.

Best way to free the taps is to cut the top off with a hacksaw blade and tap it through from above.

 

[MeMyselfAndI]

Quote A new sink then u cant go wrong!!!

 

[brumylad]

If its a really old sink the tap holes might be square and the taps seated with a kind of putty. Gentle heat will soften old putty, try it on your old windows.

If things get tough it might pay to take the sink off the wall first.

 

[TJRPlumbing]

If I find any plumber that thinks that its a good idea to put putty on the taps I will seriously hit them with a wet fish!

7 hours today to try and remove the taps, I told the customer I could try and force the basin but it might break....so... a cracked basin and fitting a replacement later and im stuck on the cold water tap on the bath (furthest one back) Hammer/drill/swearing at it no good... Hacksaw tomorrow

I really wouldnt mind but this couple im working for seemed really hard up so as a kind of favour I thought I wouldn't charge them my normal rate... more fool me eh?!

 

[ChrisOxford]

Yes, what a nightmare.

Our house was built in 1950 and has an original basin in one of the bedrooms. I liked the design, and it was undamaged, but the cold tap had lost a lot of chrome.

View media item 38758
I popped along to Wickes and found some taps which really matched the geometrical style of the basin well. But it took a whole morning to do the job. Had to cut through the H & C pipes, carefully disconnect the lead waste, and remove the basin from the wall. Then, out in the garden, I got to work with my trusty angle grinder

View media item 38759
It took a lot of patience, but I got those taps off without a mark on the basin, in spite of the square holes and 60 year old rock-hard putty.

After re-tiling, it looks really posh now (the pic was beforehand, obviously!)

 

[Charnwood]

Quote A new sink then u cant go wrong!!!

Address the issues with the client first

I think the phrase "I'm gonna fit some new taps to our old sink in the bathroom" was a bit of a giveaway. No "client" to "quote".

 

[expertgasman]

Is there a competition on that I have not been made aware of?

Something along the lines of:

"How old a thread can you revive"

yet another one.

 

[Charnwood]

And it got me, hook, line and sinker!!

 

[ChrisOxford]

And me.