Tap tops stuck

[David Costelloe]

These tap tops are fastened by a screw, but they won't come off.

All the taps need a service, but we need to get the tops off.

Any tips to try? Tap the tap top with a small handle? WD40?

Is it possible to get similar valves if I have to replace them?

Anyone recognize the brand? Probably 1960s or 1970s vintage as the shower is a Mira 8

Regards

DC

 

[just pumps]

Boiling hot water over the tap handles, towels to protect basin and two pry bars or a set of pullers.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Cut a piece of 10mm ply, with a U cut into the end which is wide enough to slip over the narrow part of the head, but not the wider part. Use that as the pry bar, with a bit of timber under it, as the fulcrum.

You can buy tap refurb kits, which replace all of the moving parts with new, with adaptors and new handles - your old handles will probably not fit, so you would need to do them in hot and cold pairs.