The $80 tap washer

**Ron Dunn** · 24th July 2008, 05:58 PM

This afternoon I noticed that the hot water tap in the shower was dripping. Ah-ha! An opportunity to show the wife I can occasionally be useful.

The handle came off easily. So far so good.

There is a "cone" which screws over the shaft and against the tiles. That was jammed solid. A bit of work with some anti-slip rubber and a pair of multi-grips, and it was off with only a few small scratches. She'll never notice. (hah!)

Hmm. What's that underneath? The tiles have an incredibly small, square, hole which JUST fits around the nut. If I could see the nut. Everything in sight is slathered in silicone sealer. Spend the next 15 minutes scraping away sealer until I can see the nut. Swear a lot.

The nut is too deep into the hole to get a good grip with the shifter, and too tight for the multi-grips. Decide to chip away some of the surrounding tile. Surprisingly, this works without breaking or unseating the tiles. but unless I make the hole too big, I'm never going to get a shifter in there.

Drag out the spanners. The two largest I have are 21mm and 24mm. The nut is (of course) somewhere in between. And now it is close to time for the shops to close.

Race to the nearest tool store, and grab both a 22mm and 23mm spanner. Convince myself it will help the set look symmetrical. Get some more silicone sealer and a couple of washers while I'm there. Try not to look grumpy and/or shocked at the cash register, when the bill comes to just on $80. Reserve the grumpy look for the dithering old buggers behind the counter that made me wait for what seemed like 2 hours, but what was probably only 5 minutes stretched into 2 hours by my accompanying 4yo daughter.

Return home. Remove tap. Replace washer. Replace tap. Replace sealant. Turn on water. Everything works.

Tell wife that was cheaper than calling a plumber. Keep my fingers crossed behind my back.

**weisyboy** · 24th July 2008, 06:20 PM

what brand of spanner?

the washer should only been about $1.

but now you have a 22 and 23 spannr for the next project

.

**Ron Dunn** · 24th July 2008, 06:53 PM

Kincrome. I've got a fairly good range that I bought as a set ... but they really sting you for the extras.

**DavidG** · 24th July 2008, 07:27 PM

But...But...But there are pressed metal tube spanners specifically made for recessed taps, and the only cost a few dollars.

**Ron Dunn** · 24th July 2008, 07:29 PM

*LOL* ... now you know two things about me:

1. I'm not a plumber, nor do I play one on television

2. I'm not particularly competent at household maintenance

**Pat** · 24th July 2008, 07:36 PM

Been there done that, still get a laugh when it happens to others

**NCArcher** · 24th July 2008, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by DavidG

But...But...But there are pressed metal tube spanners specifically made for recessed taps, and the only cost a few dollars.

To be honest i've found the pressed metal tube spanners to be next to useless. They aren't strong enough to do the job. If the tap's tight (and they always are) the tube spanner just deforms and spins on the nut

A couple of Kincrome spanners is money well spent.

**artme** · 24th July 2008, 08:33 PM

But was probably more experinced and cunning than you.. as well as tighter fisted.

You can buy a tube spannner - like a spark plug spanner- with the different sizes on either end. Works a treat and only a Few$$$.

**bsrlee** · 24th July 2008, 08:41 PM

Wait intill you find that your ancient tap uses a 33mm (!) hex fitting. And the hot water system cock is in the roof cavity.

Luckily a 'Stilson' wrench fits most plumbing, and doesn't have to go into the hole that the plumber cemented in so only a plumber could get at it. Cost about $12. I also have 2 sets of tube spanners that don't fit - none bigger than 32mm.

**jerryc** · 25th July 2008, 10:41 AM

Hate to admit this but $80 was cheap.
I had a toilet cistern that was leaking. Easy, sez I, just get a washer kit and it''s done. Get everything in with a bit of a struggle and cistern still leaks. I'm not a man for half measures. Obviously cistern is faulty. Let's waste no time here. Need new toilet.
That's when things really went wrong. Wife and I looked at bathroom and made a fatal decision. Why stop at new toilet. Redesign bathroom.
Gets worse. Have a friend who is an architect and whose wife is an interior decorator. Architect says don't do it yourself, you have too many other things on the go. Good advice, I thought. He says bathrooms are complex because you have to dovetail tradesmens' time so you get things done smoothly. My sub contractors know me and won't muck you about.
It's a long story which I will shorten. Started by tearing up the floor which was asbestos covered and so from joists up we have built a new bathroom. Nothing except the window and the door are original.
Like I said -- $80 was cheap.

Jerry

**jerryc** · 25th July 2008, 10:43 AM

Just another point to add.
Bathroom now looks so good wife says we need to redo the rest of the house.

Jerry

**DavidG** · 25th July 2008, 11:44 AM

jerryc
Painting and renovation are a form of cancer.
They spread from room to room.

**lesmeyer** · 25th July 2008, 02:30 PM

Ron,
if you ever own a TSC10HB the 23 can be used for the arbor nut.
Les

**artme** · 25th July 2008, 03:36 PM

Tell me about it David! Been helping mate with reno job. Never ends,

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