Outside Tap Replacement

[andyhuk]

Hi

I need to replace my outside tap, but the screws wont budge. Have t ried a lot of brute force and WD40.

I have not come across this situation before, what's the best way to remove the screws but retain the holes in the wall so I can reuse them when I replace the tap?

Drill bit straight down the middle of the screw?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Mottie]

Can’t you just leave the body where it is and unscrew the tap head itself and replace that with the corresponding part from the new tap?

images upload

 

[alan333]

Motman's suggestion sounds good to me, but also, since the screw heads don't look damaged you could try a well-fitting screwdriver bit with an impact driver, like this...
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cht101-1-2in-drive-impact-screwdriver-se/

 

[mattylad]

HOw about a big well fitting screwdriver with a square shank (or section of shank) that you can put a spanner or mole grips on to give additional leverage.
Also try a little tighten first, just 1/4 turn as this may help loosen the screw.

if that fails, sell your house and move to a new one where you can fit your new tap

BTW, Sods law says that once you get it off the new tap neither lines up with those screw hole or if it does the pipe is the wrong size to fit... lol

 

[rsgaz]

well fitting screwdriver

Agree. OP, are you using a number 2 Pozidriv and not a number 2 Phillips? It stills looks do-able TBH.

Failing that, grind a slot across the head with a Dremel and use a large slotted screwdriver.

Last resort, buy a 5 or 6mm left hand drill bit and drill with loads of pressure, but literally as slow as you can make the drill go. It will snag and undo it.

 

[foxhole]

You got weak wrists?