Need to replace outdoor tap but it will not budge

[Londoner100]

Hi all

I've got a very old tap that I want to replace but it will not budge.

I have tried with water pump pliers, locking pliers, even squirted some WD-40 on the nut but no lock.

I've attached some pictures below.

You can see in the second pic where part of the tap surface has been scraped off by my pliers yet no movement whatsoever.

Any other ideas as to how I can get this tap off to fit the new one?

 

[Mr Chibs]

Get a spanner to fit the tap, have you got a long tube bit of scaffolding bar to make the spanner longer? this will help leverage... with gentle tighten/untighten it might start to shift it. Do the grips need to be on the holder? are the screws tight in the wall?

 

[Londoner100]

Get a spanner to fit the tap, have you got a long tube bit of scaffolding bar to make the spanner longer? this will help leverage... with gentle tighten/untighten it might start to shift it. Do the grips need to be on the holder? are the screws tight in the wall?

I don't have the long tube you describe.

You say to get a spanner but I have been using a wrench to no effect. I'm guessing the wrench would give me better grip than a spanner?

The mole/locking grips in the pic were there to hold and support the pipework in place while I attempt to remove the tap

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You say to get a spanner but I have been using a wrench to no effect. I'm guessing the wrench would give me better grip than a spanner?

It depends what you call a wrench...

Proper, well fitting spanners on both will be better. In place of a bit of pipe to improve your leverage, you could try putting a piece of timber in, at an angle, between the two spanners, such that you can use the timber as a lever, one spanner against the second.

 

[Londoner100]

I take it my earlier comment back. I just tried an adjustable wrench and it worked! Having the additional leverage definitely helped. Thanks again, a simple case of using the wrong tools for the job

 

[robinbanks]

And also, judging by the scratched-clean bit of metal, putting them in the wrong place

You'd have got a better purchase on the tap by gripping the main body of the tap, not the small round pipe part at the bottom of the tap body..

 

[Londoner100]

And also, judging by the scratched-clean bit of metal, putting them in the wrong place

You'd have got a better purchase on the tap by gripping the main body of the tap, not the small round pipe part at the bottom of the tap body..

Yeh you're right. Funnily enough I did try there first however I wasn't able to get a good enough grip, but then again I was using my water pump pliers.

Note to self for next time - Use an adjustable spanner on the tap body!