Kitchen Hot Water tap - tap valve won\\\'t undo

[David707]

In an attempt to replace the washer in my hot water tap I find that I am unable to remove the water valve as the thread is seized solid. Any ideas on how to ease the thread?
Many thanks,
David707

 

[joe-90]

I know this sounds daft, but tightening the thing a fraction is sometimes just enough to get it moving, then you can undo it.

Failing that, try warming the casing with a heat gun a little to see if you can get the thread to expand a fraction and maybe soften any gunk that is binding it.

joe

 

[David707]

Dear Joe90,
Many thanks for your suggestions - have already tried your former proposal (even considered possibility of LH Thread). Have considered chilling brass valve assembly rather than heating tap body. I suppose if the worst comes to the worst I'll have to remove complete hot/cold tap assembly and show it to a vice where I can get a decent purchase!
Thanks again,
David707

 

[David707]

I did eventually manage to undo the water valve and also discovered that the valve was not a conventional one. In fact it was a ceramic disc valve which is supposed not to leak as the rubber washer does not move and the flow is controlled by a ceramic disc which only needs to move 1/4turn. Clearly when assembled it was not considered to need undoing in the future hence the very high torque tightening.
Hope this may help someone because these taps are becoming quite common apparently.
Cheers to all,
David707