Tightening bathroom taps

danger_mouse_tm

I should probably post this is the rocket science forum because this has me rightly stumped. We have a single hole bathroom tap set and every so often it gets lose and I try my best to tighten up the nut underneath the sink. I have a cheap combination spanner set and I just can't get proper grip on the nut. Is there some other tool that I can buy to stop this from loosening?

Alun

You won't believe this but what you need really is called a 'tap spanner' Google it

danger_mouse_tm

Wow! Who would have thunk it. I'm off to the hardware merchants with my new lingo!

Alun

Just looked at the photo .. you have a monoblock tap, and you may need a specific type for that sized nut. Conventional tap spanners are more designed for the old-fashioned single taps with a larger nut.

jack of all

You need one of the smaller box spanners from this set of Monument tap back nut spanners:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/monument-mono-tap-back-nut-box-spanners

Depending on the length of threaded stud protruding you may be able to get by with the appropriate size deep socket from a socket set (3/8" or 1/2" drive),something like this (size in this link is wrong but you get the idea):

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/garage-equipment/hand-tools/halfords-professional-deep-socket-8mm-3-8-drive

danger_mouse_tm

Alun wrote: »

Just looked at the photo .. you have a monoblock tap, and you may need a specific type for that sized nut. Conventional tap spanners are more designed for the old-fashioned single taps with a larger nut.

I couldn't get one in Bandon. I'm in cork city now having lunch and going to hunt for one.

Alun

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

I couldn't get one in Bandon. I'm in cork city now having lunch and going to hunt for one.

Note that you'll need something like jack of all mentioned above. If you say it's for a monoblock tap you should get the right one.

jack of all

I've seen the "Monument" branded box spanners on sale in bricks and mortar hardware shops here, usually in a blisterpack. Any decent tool shop or plumbers merchant should have same. Handy tool to have anyway.

danger_mouse_tm

Job done. Got the pack from Scotts tools on north main street. Thanks for the help guys.

jack of all

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

Job done. Got the pack from Scotts tools on north main street. Thanks for the help guys.

Good stuff, easy job with the right tool.

Cerco

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

Job done. Got the pack from Scotts tools on north main street. Thanks for the help guys.

Did you have to undo the pipes or did you have enough clearance?