Firstly if you find that your stop tap has seized do not try and use brute force to close it just yet. Firstly give it a gentle spray with some light lubricating oil, leave this to penetrate for 10 minutes and then try and turn the handle again. Try turning the handle in both directions as this can often loosen the seized part.
What does it mean when a stop tap seized up?
Where is the stop tap located?
How many stop taps in your home?
What does a stopcock do?
How long does it take for a water leak to come out?
Can a plumber turn off the water?
Can you use a spanner to snap a spindle?
See 4 more
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How do you free up a stiff stopcock?
1:403:30How to free a seized Stopcock DON'T DO THIS (even though it worked)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBe very careful to seal the naked flame and just heat up the metal rod there just so the metal justMoreBe very careful to seal the naked flame and just heat up the metal rod there just so the metal just starts expanding a little bit in it just might help it free up he is always a good thing.
Will WD40 loosen a stopcock?
Quite often, a stiff stopcock can be loosened with some WD40 or similar lubricant. Just be careful not to force the valve too hard. If you're in doubt, get a plumber to sort it out.
How do you loosen a seized water tap?
0:264:16Loosen Stuck Water Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis can cause the valve to freeze up and become stuck the first thing to try is to hold the valveMoreThis can cause the valve to freeze up and become stuck the first thing to try is to hold the valve body. And put a cloth over the handle to protect your hand.
How long does it take for WD-40 to loosen bolts?
Use WD-40 and a hammer on rusted nuts and bolts Remove as much rust as you can with a metal brush or a normal brush. Wrap a thread around the bolt and spray some WD-40 on it until it is completely saturated. Let it sit for 30 minutes. You can try unscrewing the bolt by striking the rusty with a hammer.
Is it safe to use WD-40 on taps?
If you have hard water, descale the tap and spray on a little WD40. Turn the water off by closing the hot and cold valves under the sink. If you can't find the valves, shut off the main water supply instead.
Why has my tap suddenly gone stiff?
The most common cause of this is when the tap's O-ring becomes worn over time. This makes the tap harder to turn due to extra friction and for those without strong hands, a stiff tap can become impossible to use.
How do you loosen a corroded tap?
Use the wire brush to scrape away as much of the corrosion as possible. Once you've cleared it off, use the wrench to see if you can turn the part that's stuck. Use the hairdryer to heat up the corroded area if it's still suck. The heat may be able to break or loosen the bonds as the metal swells.
Can I use WD-40 on a stuck water shut off valve?
Stuck valve: If you simply can't turn the valve, which happens often with fixture shut-offs and old-fashioned main shut-offs, you may need to spray the valve with WD-40 and give it time to lubricate before trying again.
How do you lubricate a water shut off valve?
Start by turning off the main water shut off valve to the house. Then, spray down the stuck valve with penetrating oil. Penetrating oil is a special type of grease sold at home improvement centers and hardware stores. It has unusually low viscosity, which allows it to penetrate very tight spaces easily.
How do you lubricate a shut off valve?
0:252:19Lubricate Plug Valves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep one load the grease cartridge into the re-lube. Tool. Step two remove the eighth inch allenMoreStep one load the grease cartridge into the re-lube. Tool. Step two remove the eighth inch allen head plug from the valve port to be re-lubricated. Using the allen wrench handle of the relube.
Does WD-40 dissolve water?
As to me, WD40 does not displace water; it just sticks to all surfaces and prevents water from sticking to them. True, any lubricant would do the same, but WD40 performs better due to low viscosity. Yes.
Stopcock Not Completely Shutting Water Off | DIYnot Forums
I was going to fit an under sink water filter but before ordering the kit I wanted to check that I could successfully isolate the cold mains water supply. The house is only 5 years old and the under sink stopcock is clearly labellled as ‘mains water supply’. I have screwed this all the way in...
How do I deal with a jammed mains water stoptap? - MyBuilder
The stoptap on my mains water appears to be jammed solid and I can't turn my water off. I've tried wd40 and easing oil on the spindle to loosen it, but it's still solid.
stopcock jammed - what to do? — MoneySavingExpert Forum
If I was you I would take out the Homeserve Insurance (marketed by your local water supplier) at around £19/year which covers you for the the pipe from the outside supply to your stopcock in the house and then after 6weeks or so claim on that.
jammed stopcock | Screwfix Community Forum
I cannot turn a stopcock to the closed position because someone did not turn it back a fraction after opening. Now jammed! Any tips please?
What does it mean when a stop tap seized up?
If a stop tap has seized up, it’s probably scaled up and full of debris, rather than rusty. Plumbing parts are made of non-ferrous metals, such as brass or copper, so they corrode and scale up rather than rust.
Where is the stop tap located?
It’s often located under the stairs or in a cupboard. If it is stuck do NOT attempt to force it.
How many stop taps in your home?
Depending on your system, you may have one or three stop taps in your home. If you have a high-pressure system – usually found in homes with combi-boilers or a mega-flow hot water tank, there will be one single stop tap that turns off water from the mains.
What does a stopcock do?
Your stopcock or stop tap turns off the flow of water into your home. We look at what to do if it doesn’t work.
How long does it take for a water leak to come out?
In an emergency, your local water company guarantee to come out within 24 hours. However, this is more than long enough for a leak within your property to create some serious damage.
Can a plumber turn off the water?
A plumber will be able to turn off the water from the street, fit a new stop tap ahead of the broken / stuck one and then you’ve got a working stop tap on your property once more. See more of our expert tips on how to look after your plumbing system.
Can you use a spanner to snap a spindle?
You can try gently using a spanner to get leverage, but it is easy to snap the spindle, at which point the stop tap will need replacing in its entirety . Mark cautioned: ‘Too much torque from a spanner can twist the spindle like toffee, as it’s made from brass.’.
flicka New Member
I need to replace a washer on a bath tap but cannot remove the valve from the tap body. I am using a ring spanner on the valve and holding the tap body steady with a wrench. The valve seems to have been over tightened at some point in the past and will not budge.
bathstyle Active Member
If it's just a cheapy Bath tap that you're doing for a customer, my advice is to change the tap.
Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select
"Not normally worth changing washers nowadays on the cheaper taps, at least with a new tap its guaranteed to not drip."
flicka New Member
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm sure the blowtorch method works but I don't trust myself with a blowtorch that close to the acrylic bath. I'll try a little more brute force as you suggest. I'm just doing a favour for the next door neighbour; you know the sort of thing.
What does it mean when a stop tap seized up?
If a stop tap has seized up, it’s probably scaled up and full of debris, rather than rusty. Plumbing parts are made of non-ferrous metals, such as brass or copper, so they corrode and scale up rather than rust.
Where is the stop tap located?
It’s often located under the stairs or in a cupboard. If it is stuck do NOT attempt to force it.
How many stop taps in your home?
Depending on your system, you may have one or three stop taps in your home. If you have a high-pressure system – usually found in homes with combi-boilers or a mega-flow hot water tank, there will be one single stop tap that turns off water from the mains.
What does a stopcock do?
Your stopcock or stop tap turns off the flow of water into your home. We look at what to do if it doesn’t work.
How long does it take for a water leak to come out?
In an emergency, your local water company guarantee to come out within 24 hours. However, this is more than long enough for a leak within your property to create some serious damage.
Can a plumber turn off the water?
A plumber will be able to turn off the water from the street, fit a new stop tap ahead of the broken / stuck one and then you’ve got a working stop tap on your property once more. See more of our expert tips on how to look after your plumbing system.
Can you use a spanner to snap a spindle?
You can try gently using a spanner to get leverage, but it is easy to snap the spindle, at which point the stop tap will need replacing in its entirety . Mark cautioned: ‘Too much torque from a spanner can twist the spindle like toffee, as it’s made from brass.’.