Leaking bath tap - unable to unscrew handle screw

[strondy]

Hi all,

The hot tap on my bath has started leaking quite severely.

Done a fair bit of research and looks like the washer just needs replacing.

My problem is that, after removing the handle cap, when I uncover the screw the thread has completely been eroded. Tried normal phillips, electric screwdriver, but nothing will move it.

Is there anything I can do? Or will I just need to replace the whole tap?

Really keen to avoid if possible!

Thanks,

Tom

 

[picasso]

You don't have to remove the handle, you can get to the washer by undoing the whole valve using the flats behind the handle.

 

[dilalio]

There's loads of techniques for removing such things but early all impossible to describe as it's an experience thing!
if you really want it off, you could try a strong flat terminal driver in the cross-head and tap it on the end with a hammer, as you apply torque CCW... just a little trick to try first!

 

[picasso]

Why take the handle off ?

 

[dilalio]

Why take the handle off ?

So he can find out he didn't need to! That's how we learn isn't it?

 

[picasso]

Very true.

 

[dilalio]

Very true.

You know this!

Op: first thing you should do is get the limescale remover out and clean the whole thing up, it'll be a lot easier to get the valve body out and will make it all look almost like new
I find that sort of thing quite therapeutic and it gets lots of 'wows' out of customers

 

[strondy]

You don't have to remove the handle, you can get to the washer by undoing the whole valve using the flats behind the handle.

Thanks Picasso. I've taken the whole thing apart, replaced every washer on each of the hexnuts, and put it back together. Still running out of the hot tap when the taps are turned off!

Any ideas?

 

[picasso]

The seat might be damaged any chance of a pic of the washers you changed and inside the tap.

 

[DaveHerns]

Washers go under the hexnuts, not on them.

 

[Madrab]

Is it leaking out the tap itself or dripping out the spout? You'll probably need to replace the washer at the bottom of the valve @strondy, the valve on the left of the picture should look like yours, the thick washer on the bottom either just pops off or loosen a small screw/nut from the brass piece (the jumper) and the new one goes on the reverse of removing. Chances are the tap will need serviced too, stripped down and cleaned then lubricated.