mixer tap will not come out of tap housing

[balnadrumboy]

Hi. I have a leaking cold tap on my washbasin. It is a mixer unit with 2 taps and I have removed the cover and unscrewed the cold tap. However, when fully unscrewed the tap unit does not lift out from the tap housing. It feels as if something is stopping it and I am unwilling to exert too much force or poke a screwdriver in and lever it out in case I cause damage. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Balnadrumboy.

 

[Charnwood]

Pictures?

 

[Johnmelad]

If it's one of these just yank it out. The washer may be damaged and is catching.

 

[balnadrumboy]

Thanks for your replies will put pics on tomorrow as have had to reassemble as wife and daughter want use of facilities. Inconsiderate eh.

 

[balnadrumboy]

Hi again. Attached are 2 pics. When I tried to pull it out today, it felt springy but would not come out.

Untitled

• balnadrumboy
• 8 Aug 2013
• 1

 

[footprints]

As Johnmelad says it sounds as if the washer has spread/swollen, it should come out.
Try an adjustable spanner with the jaws set to just clear the thread use a bit of rag/kitchen towel to protect the chrome and slip it between the head and body to lever the unit out.
It should pop out without too much bother.

PS if you are worried about damaging it try the other tap to practice, it may not be as bad if you don't have a problem with it

 

[balnadrumboy]

Many thanks folks. As you said the washer had flattened out and was preventing withdrawal of the tap unit. I prised the tap unit out with an extremely thin screwdriver. This detached it from the washer. I then fished the old washer out. Job done. Thanks