BS: How to remove faucet handle

Subject: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:13 PM

I am trying to replace a washer in my tub faucet and can't figure out how to get the cockadoody handle off.

How does it work?


Thanks,
M

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:23 PM

Most faucets have a press in cap on the top. This can be pried off gently with the point of a sharp knife.

Underneath you will find a screw or a nut that holds the handle on.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:23 PM

Do you have the water to the tub turned off? If not, first put on a wet suit.

What is are the bathtub faucets? And about how old?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:26 PM

I took the screw off and turned the faucet all the way on (which makes it get longer..thought maybe that's how to unscrew the inside nut thingy) I'm just kind of leery of trying to force-turn it further open in case that's the way to break it instead of the way to get inside..

When I take the handle off, water will shoot out all over the bathroom if I don't turn off the main, right?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:29 PM

Meant to say 'what make is'. If it has a plastic doodad in the center of the faucet handles, Bert just nailed it in one.

Before you pry that thingy off, put the plug (stopper) in the hole in the tub so stuff doesn't go down the drain, and remember the order in which things are removed so you can duplicate the process in reverse to reassemble it all.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Songwronger
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:30 PM

Oh yeah. Turn off the water somewhere along the line to the tub, either at a cut-off inside the bathroom or going into the abode. My experience is with the pop-off caps covering a screw/bolt. Just unscrew it to loosen and adjust, remove it to replace. Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:31 PM

ok, that's what I thought would happen..guess I better either figure out how to unstick the main or find a nice rubber suit!

The faucet is the kind that is in three pieces..not hooked together on a shared base. Brand is Central and they're probably fairly old..old enough to be sturdy but not old enough to sell as antiques and buy a new set with money.
It's just a basic chrome tub faucet..nothing thrilling.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:34 PM

yup, 999
I did remember about covering the drain in case I dropped something.


Any ideas on how to unstick a cruddy main?
Am I maybe better off turning the water off at the meter while I attempt my repair?


The part I'm stuck on is After the screw is out.
The handle doesn't just lift off (which is what I expected) and doesn't loosen at all with whacking and/or wiggle-pulling.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:46 PM

You may need a puller once the screw is out... The handle will be splined and the shaft splined and if you have stuff in your water like lime or crud then they have become kinda welded by the lime and crud...

Back to the supply valve... It's okay to put a pair of channel locks on the handle... Might just need a little force... If it feels like it's too much torque then you may have to shut it off at the meter...

BTW, a standard/univeral gear puller will do just fine on the handle as long as the screw is out...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:52 PM

does 'splined' mean vaned..little grooves cut in to make it hold when you turn instead of just spinning on the shaft?

are channel locks wrenches..like I'd think of as pipe/crescent wrench?

How do gear pullers work? Is it the same principle as those cork-puller winged gadgets for opening non-screwtop wine?


Which direction is the nut under the handle going to turn?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:03 PM

Slined: yes, little groves that run down the shaft and correspond to same in the handle...

Channel locks: pliers that look like a lobster claw...

Gear puller: has two (sometimes three) arms with grabbers like one of your fingers that go under what ever it is that you are trying to pull and a center bolt that goes down against the shaft... You tighten the bolt and it pulls the fingers toward you with what ever you have hooked with it...

Nut: Counterclockwise to loosen... It shouldn't be a nut but a bolt... Probably either slotted for appropriate screwdriver but if it is a hex nut then so be it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:08 PM

WATCH IT!!

We asked the plumber on his last visit to replace a washer in a tub fixture. He gave it his best shot, and he knew what he was doing.

The fixture CAN get so crudded up with lime deposits, rust, and general crap that you'll break the supply line trying to remove it.

If you can't get it off with reasonable tries, GET A PLUMBER before you literally have to have the wall replaced on an emergency basis.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:11 PM

Lefty loosie, righty tighty.

The company is still around. You can ask for their help on-line by getting in touch with Central at

http://centralbrass.com/TextOnly.aspx?PAGE_ID=630&LANGUAGE_ID=1

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:17 PM

Thanks, Bobert

According to the pic on the washer box, it should be:
screw
handle
nut
threaded shaft (looks like threaded on both ends, maybe?)
and another nut-like thing where I am supposed to put the washer

I haven't been able to see inside mine yet to be able to tell if I have that dang many parts to mess with.

Everything will turn counterclock? No weird lefthanded surprises tucked in there to make it interesting?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:17 PM

Soak the crevices with WD40 overnight if it won't budge. SOmetimes that will make you lucky.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:19 PM

If I absolutely can't get it off, Rap, I'll probably opt for a new faucet set..cheaper and easier.

Thanks, 999. I'll go see what I can see at their site!
Maybe I'll even learn something while I'm there..

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:21 PM

I'm way ahead of you on the Hope of Getting Lucky, Amos..I have shot WD40 in every place I could find. So far, no luck.
I'm glad it wasn't a dumb idea!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 07:55 PM

Go to plan B.

If it's a lime scale buildup, use five tablespoons of vinegar (doesn't really matter what kind) and enough salt so the salt all dissolves. Start with small amounts of salt and increase until saturation point where a few grains don't dissolve. Add a TEAspoon of vinegar and Bob's yer uncle. Let that sit in the faucet for a half hour, and if you drink beer that's a good time to have one. If you can agitate it with a toothbrush or something like that, do so--NOT the beer, the faucet!. Rinse with clean water. (Take a few glasses with you.)

GENTLY, try leftie loosie once again.

Plan C: redo plan B.

If that don't get it, you require a for-real plumber kinda guy or gal.

At no point is it worthwhile to strike the faucet with a hammer. If you do, ya better be wearing safety glasses.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:05 PM

I especially like the part about beer!

Good idea..I'll mix up some vinegar and squirt it into the crevices with a syringe and see if that loosens it at all.

I generally do my frustrated whacking with the rubbery end of a screwdriver..can't get enough force behind it to break anything (including myself) and it makes a nice, satisfying noise.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:11 PM

"New" means that you'll still have to shut of the supply valve... That means those channel locks... Here's where the problem can arise... That "supply line" will have to be removed in order to install the new one... I agree that going new is the way to go...

The entire job comes down to shutting off the supply valve... There is but so much torque you can put on the oval shaped handle of the supply valve... 90% of the time the channel locks will work... WD40 won't help... This is internal... It won't get there... It it takes more effort that lifting 10 pounds (with the channel locks) then you shouldn't go beyond that...

If that is the case then you will have to shut off the water and hope that the supply line nut itself isn't as bad... BTW, don't reuse the old supply hoses... Use new ones... They will most likely be 18" and labeled "Faucet" which means that the top side will have a large nut on it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:14 PM

"Any ideas on how to unstick a cruddy main?
Am I maybe better off turning the water off at the meter while I attempt my repair?"

'Main' ought to mean "at the meter".

There can (and should be) other shut-off valves, but sometimes that was ignored by cheap builders. If you can turn it off at the meter, that ought to cover everything...but remember, if you break something or can't get new parts in, NOTHING gets water till it's fixed.

It is good to have certain tools and do some practice runs before an emergency.... if you don't, I'd recommend a friend who has done this stuff....or, *sigh* paying a plumber and watching him carefully.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:18 PM

The problem with New vs Repair is that any new faucet set I'd be able to afford would be crappy..and even that would be more of a financial bind than I can really bear. IF I can fix this one, that's my best option.

If I can't get the water shut off in the house, I can turn it off at the meter. That's not a tricky task at all (probably a good deal easier than messing with trying to finagle the knob downstairs)

What are the supply hoses, Bobert?
Are they those metal-net covered things that hook pipe to faucet? If so, I don't have them here..tub is hooked to pipe..no shut-off or hose-thingy or anything like that.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:25 PM

"tub is hooked to pipe"

Yep... not uncommon problem. It 'should' be possible to just shut down at the meter, replace a washer, and re-open meter....but you must have the proper washer ready. If it is an old, black rubber type, there are cheap boxes of all sizes.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:26 PM

BillD
Here, 'main' is the main shut-off inside a house..and 'meter' is the biggest shut-off. They both shut everything off.

Cheap builders were not involved with this house.
It was built to high standards..just not put together the way things are done now.

My options are-
1   Work on fixing this..and keep on trying until I get it apart and back together.
2   Cut and cap the water to the faucet until I can manage to get a new one.
3   Continue to waste an absurd amount of water..which doesn't suit my nature or pocket.

   Plumber would be the easiest, but it's not an option for me right now.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: kendall
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:26 PM

I wish you were within driving distance! Been down this road myself...often.
Some photos would help.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:29 PM

I have a box of replacement washers..various sizes. IF I can get that damn handle off, it should be a quick repair.

I'm not shy about shutting off the meter and tending my own plumbing stuff. If I can't get the main broke loose without a lot of effort, shutting down at the meter will be my favorite option for that part.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:31 PM

pics of which part, Kendall?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:39 PM

The Supply Hoses: Is this a shower, bath tub, sink or what??? The answer will dictate where you need to go to fins the supply shut off...

BTW, BillD is correct... Sometimes there are other shutoff valves between the supply and the problem...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:42 PM

Melissa- Might try the Habitat ReStores for a much less expensive new set-up. We've found some might useful things in ReStores. Find one near you

Home Depot and the like, as well as some hardware stores, often have people who will show you what to do. A camera might help you remember steps.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:42 PM

(In my house, the meter in inside the house, and functions AS the 'main' ..places differ.)

If you have, or can find or take,,, a picture of what the inside of the handle looks like, together with image of the basic handle that shows how it is attached, it might be possible to advise what to yank on, pound on, pry on...etc. An older faucet of that sort should not resist that much.... but there are so many varieties....

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:44 PM

I forget.. where are you, Melissa?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:49 PM

some diagrams of Central faucet parts here

steps to repair one type of Central

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:52 PM

a search for images of Central faucets

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 08:58 PM

Some useful tips here...including controlled heat:
http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-remove-a-stuck-shower-knob-or-faucet-handle/


As a minor diversion, here's the faucet I'd want... if only we had plumbing:
Tub faucet deluxe

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 09:03 PM

You want a swan tossing its cookies into your tub or sink? I prefer the Little Pissant.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 09:07 PM

Hey, Rap- since I don't have either tub or plumbed sink, it doesn't much matter to me.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 09:24 PM

Bobert,
It's tub. I'm trying to remove one handle.
There isn't a shut-off for the tub.

Maeve,
The habitat resale stores look like they're a distance from me, but I'll sure keep them in mind when I get up to my elbows in switching the bathroom to a different room. Thanks!
I think it's nice for that swan faucet to modestly cover itself..neat looking thing!

Bill,
I'm in the US.
Thanks for those Central links. I'll look them over and see if I can find anything about the style I have.

Don't think I know how to take pics of the inside of the handle..since I can't get the dang thing off yet.

999's vinegar treatment has at least made the handle slimy..maybe that's what it needed all along. (especially the beer)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 09:42 PM

Ouch... The supply line is behind the drywall behind the tub if there is is a wall behind the tub that you can get to... If not then it's in the wall itself (I assume an outside wall)... In that wall is a divertor valve that mixes the hot and cold and goes to the tub/shower... In order to get to it you have to cut into the wall...

Most of these have a cut-off valve under the house between the meter and the valve... The problem here is that it will be copper and souldered... Now you are in over your head...

Back to trying to fix from the outside...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 09:52 PM

I can get to the pipes in the wall..there's a cut-out for access. It's just pipes though, no shut-off or moving parts in there.

The cut-off between meter and valve is the thing I'm calling the 'main' It's where the waterline comes into the house.

My biggest glitch is just getting that handle off so I can see what's going on in there..I can work around not having an inside shut-off and whatever other mild inconveniences are pestering me.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 10:10 PM

Okay... maybe we are making this too hard...

If you can get the handle off, you can fix this with just a "faucet washer"...

So:

1. Shut off the water at the meter...

2. Ply off the cap that hides the screw...

3. Unscrew screw...

4. Borrow a gear puller from any mechanic friend (if need be) to pull the handle...

5. Use small screw driver or ice pick to pull out old rubber washer...

6. Find washer that looks like the one you just took out and push down the shaft...

7. Reinstall handle...

8. Turn water back on...

9. Finsihed...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 10:13 PM

Water pipes have valves. They may be almost completely inside the pipe, but somewhere on the line is a piece of plastic or metal that seems to be attached to the pipe. When it is going frontways as is the pipe, that main is open. When it is crosswise (90 degrees to the pipe) the line is shutoff from that point inward.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 10:21 PM

Well, brucie... Some older buildings don't have a shut off for shower/bath divertor valves...

That is a problem...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 11:23 PM

Bobert,
Gear puller works like a lever, right?


Yeah, 999..I've explored the lines here pretty well and haven't discovered any hidden valves. I've been working on this project and trying to get it thought out for a few days..just got hung up on that damn handle not coming off like I thought it should.

There's one for the toilet and one for the washer..sure can't find one for sink/tub.

Thanks all.
I intend to give the task full attention for a while tomorrow..will be back with new questions if I come upon something else that throws me.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 11:29 PM

Yeah, Melissa... That's about it... Once you have one in your hand you'll go "I get it"...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 04:32 AM

Don't force it. (the faucet)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 11:51 AM

This is a lot more exciting that watching paint dry.

Good luck!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: frogprince
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 12:05 PM

If you don't have a buddy with a small gear puller: I think at least one of the auto stores near us loans one for nothing, and if not a tool rental should have one.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 12:12 PM

That handle seems really stuck on.

If the gear puller didn't work then you must apply some sudden force.

Tighten the screw on the gear puller as much as you can and whack the screw on the gear puller with a hammer. You will probably need a two pound hammer (or maybe 1 1/2). Several sharp taps on the screw should do the trick.

Gear puller

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 05:20 PM

Before whacking the bolt on the puller, once you have it tight then try a light tap on the side of the handle you are tryin' to remove... BTW, rather than a big hammer, which might damage your valve assembly, use a small one first... I am confident that this handle is going to come right off without any hammers...

BTW, do you have an assortment of washers to go back in the valve??? You can usually find a small package with about 10-12 in it for cheap...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 11:40 PM

Thanks for that picture, Bert. Now that I know it's a cheap tool, I'll buy one instead of trying to figure out where to borrow (if I had someone to borrow tools from, I would have already asked him/her to pull off the dang sticky handle!)

Yes, Bobert. I still have a package of assorted washers.

Puller shopping tomorrow and water wrangling tomorrow evening.
I will either come back to report a success..or to ask for more input.

thanks, guys
I appreciate the help!


Charley-if you think watching paint dry is fun, stay tuned for my next exciting plea for help..if we're lucky, it'll be a doozy.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 01:22 AM

What does it say about me that I read every line of this thread?!

a) I have lots of these kinds of projects going on, Melissa, in various stages of "I thought I could/I think I can". Good luck! You can do it!

b) I need to go find a good book.

c) wow. What a community! I know where I'm gonna look for help next time!

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 02:17 AM

"I need to go find a good book."

NO problem, Dani. What are your favourite areas of writing? Fiction, Fantasy, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Biographies, Autobiographies, Histories, Adventure Tales, Alternative (I have no idea what that means, but if you do, let us know).

Uh, are you by even the remotest chance interested in books about plumbing? If so, before we get to the nuclear option, then please consi--btw, do you speed read?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 08:36 AM

Melissa-

So, what's happening?

In this chapter, did the swamp thing slime out of the faucet?

Inquiring minds need to know!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Gurney
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 01:24 AM

I've found a stuck handle or two in 15 years as a jobbing handyman, but that experience wasn't in the USA.
Here, most shafts are either square and tapered (usually) or splined (sometimes).
New taps are rarely seized, it seems to be the ones that have been together for 20 years that give trouble.
The working mechanism part of the tap is replaceable (here!) from a plumbing merchant. I HAVE cut the shaft off rather than stress the tap/faucet. I've also tapped the handle upwards to remove it, depending on what it is made of. If it's metal, it is probably brass, and so easily marked with a hammer.
If the tap has been leaking for a long time, it may be that the seat that the washer tightens down on is damaged and must be recut.
If there is a metal dome over the mechanism (after the handle is removed) this needs to be heavily wrapped in sticky tape so that it is not gouged by the tool used to unscrew it.
Hope this is useful. What Rap said up there at 07:08 is sense.
There are three seals in a tap, an O-ring around the handle shaft, a gasket washer under the mechanism, and the tap-washer. You should also use a special non-poisonous grease on the mechanism threads.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Andrez
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 05:57 AM

I agree Guest Dani, I read the whole rivetting thread too, all the way in Australia! Cant wait for the next exciting episode or the grand finale for Melissa.

Cheers,

Andrez

PS: Somehow I'm reminded of that old Confucian proverb: "Man with tool in hand not necessarily mechanic" not that it helps solve the tap problem tee, hee, hee :-)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 06:49 AM

Well?!?!

We need to know, apparently!

Appreciate the book recommendation offer, but I am 1/3 into Wanderings by Chaim Potok. That will absorb my free time for the foreseeable future (except for checking on Melissa's plumbing story).

This is the free time I should be spending fixing my own toilet. The kind on the floor, not the getting-ready-for-work kind. Good thing I have 2 now. Amazing what that does for one's ability to completely ignore the truth.


When I chip away at the stack by the bed, I"ll get back to you : )

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 07:34 AM

Maybe a "vandal" is needed to remove the "handle"?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 08:23 AM

Opps!!!

Hope you read this, Melissa, before tackling said valve...

Be sure to fill up as many containers with water as you can just in case things don't go well... It takes about 2 gallons to flush the toilet if you use the tank but only 1 gallon if you pour it directly into the toilet...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Paul Burke
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 01:43 PM

Hacksaw, cold chisel, or bolt cutters. Always works. You might have a problem getting it back on again of course.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 09:56 PM

W...e...l....l... Melissa?!

Fixed my toilet, how's your valve?

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Andrez
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 04:10 AM

Could we all try slow clapping?   :-)

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:22 AM

Better than holding our breath, I suppose.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:25 AM

Hmmmmmmmmm??? The silence is deafening...

Hope things are going well but...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:42 AM

To the tune of "Skip to My Lou":

Well, Melissa, how's your valve?
Well, Melissa, how's your valve?
Well, Melissa, how's your valve?
Melissa to the hardware store, now!

Fixed my faucet, how's your valve?
Fixed my faucet, how's your valve?
Fixed my faucet, how's your valve?
Dani to the hardware store, now!

All clap slowly, how's your valve?
All clap slowly, how's your valve?
All clap slowly, how's your valve?
Andrez to the hardware store now!

Hold your breath now, how's your valve?
Hold your breath now, how's your valve?
Hold your breath now, how's your valve?
Charley to the hardware store now!

Deafening silence, how's your valve?
Deafening silence, how's your valve?
Deafening silence, how's your valve?
Bobert to the hardware store now!

Hope for the best now, how's your valve?
Hope for the best now, how's your valve?
Hope for the best now, how's your valve?
We're all at the hardware store now!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:56 AM

I don't know where Melissa's from. Any flood announcements in the US lately?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 10:08 AM

Might be a flood now, how's your valve?
Might be a flood now, how's your valve?
Might be a flood now, how's your valve?
Tripleneuf to the hardware store now!

***

(No flood announcements from her area to date.)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 03:15 PM

Lost my pipe wrench, what'll I do?
Lost my pipe wrench, what'll I do?
Lost my pipe wrench, what'll I do?
Squirt more WD-40.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 07:20 PM

This nine-pound hammer,
It's a little too heavy -- Umph!
For my size, boys,
For my size -- Umph!

But I bet it will solve the problem.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 07:34 PM

Shoulda paid a plumber, yes sir-ee
Shoulda paid a plumber, yes sir-ee
Shoulda paid a plumber, yes sir-ee
"Cause the risin' water's up to my knees

B;~(

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:08 PM

Hey, you all are having far too much fun!
..and I've been away for a few days. Catching a batch of water and intend to give the shutoff a whirl before bedtime.

The gearpuller the carpart place had for loan was really big..even the smallest one. So, I am the proud owner of a small puller that cost about $6.
Bobert--do you have an better idea than me for what to pull against with it? My idea is to unscrew the handle screw a couple turns and seat the pointy part of the puller in the crux..and turn the puller very gently.

Yay Dani!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 09:20 PM

Well, yer just going to have to find two placed that the arms of the puller can get their fingers under... Then tighten both down... Now here's an important part: loosen the screw but don't pull it all the way out... Use it as the your target for the bolt that gets tightened down.... Now you have the fingers on the arms pulling outward and the both pushing downward.... All the puller has to to is budge it off the shaft... That's all it will take... Once it has budged then the handle will lift off with ease... Just get it to budge and then remove puller...

Also, once you have the puller in place and it is trying to pull the handle just take a small hammer and tap the handle lightly on the part that is next to the shaft... This alone may agitate the molecules and waa-laa...

Bow keep in mind my advice to have several gallons of water stored up in case things don't go well...

And good luck... I think you will be fine...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 10:06 PM

AND you have a future removing all sorts of stuck things!

Melissa said to her plumbing,
"Plumbing you better pray,
'Cause if I screw up this faucet thing
Tomorrow gonna be your replacin' day, Lord Lord,
Tomorrow gonna be your replacin' day.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 01:37 AM

Melissa said to the shut-off
(the rest of this verse is unladylike..)



Chapter 3
   The Contrary Damn Valve-Thingy

    Aside from the cussing and recent standing on her head, Melissa was usually tolerably well behaved. But, when the cockadoody turny thing absolutely refused to turn, she was mildly enraged..edging toward downright irritability.
    The cats scurried, the wildlife within hearing distance ran like hell, and the meringue wept.

***
SO, I exhausted my strength and vocabulary and can't get the house/main to shut off.
What happens if I loosen the screw in the middle of that handle? WD40 has not made an impression. I can't even get it to act like it wants to shift.
Suggestions?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 01:37 AM

Maybe I really DO need a vandal!
A stolen handle seems more appealing to me than an obstinate one..

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 02:38 AM

If you can't shut off the house main you will have to buy or borrow a curb key and shut the water off out in the street. The shut off should be on the sidewalk or in the road.

Then you can replace the house main valve.

It is also possible that there is another shut off valve on the other side of your pressure reducing valve. Take a look.

Sometimes, when a valve is stuck open, it is easier to leave it alone and install a new valve in the line somewhere near it. If you are not confident in sweating in a new valve you can use a compression fitting one or a Sharkbite.

Note to all Mudcatters: All of your faucets, stop cocks and main valves should be operated at least once a year. That will keep them in working order.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 09:34 AM

It is so sad when the stuck valve handle finally breaks off in one's hands...

No one has posted this old plumbing limerick, possibly because it has no relevance to the problem at hand:

There was a young plumber from Paris,
Who was plumbing his girl by the sea;
Said she, "Stop plumbing!
I hear someone coming,"
"That's not someone," he said,
"That's me!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 09:52 AM

Melissa, it might be time to call in the pros.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 10:09 AM

Don't listen to Rap, Melissa... No guts, no glory... Shutting off the valve outside ain't all that hard as long as your arm is long enough to reach the valve.... You need an "adjustable wrench to do it... It will turn off with just a 90 degree turn (most are counterclockwise)... Okay, you say that your adjustable wrench is too long??? Okay, here's the trick for that.... You can turn the valve with it even if the wrench isn't exactly horizontal... Actually most will turn if you have the wrench on the "ear" of the valve at 45 degrees...

Plan B... Don't pay yer water bill and then when the public works shuts it off, do the fix before callin' 'um up to pay it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 10:26 AM

Melissa, you need a horseshoe nail:



For Want of a Nail

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 11:06 AM

Good plan B Bobert!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 11:36 AM

The faucet is dripping, dear Lissa, dear Lissa,
The faucet is dripping, dear Lissa, it drips!

Well, fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Well, fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, my love!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 02:55 PM

I gave up on turning the house shutoff..will have my meter off tonight until tomorrow evening.

Rap, I sort of called in pros by asking for help here. If I was using a regular plumber, I'd only get one approach..and I wouldn't learn anything.
You guys fit neatly within what I can afford and I'm learning all sorts of things that will probably come in handy later. Can't beat a deal like that!

999, I wish you had mentioned that horseshoe nail earlier..I bet I have one out here somewhere--grandpa was a blacksmith.

Tonight I will probably break my faucet somehow, but at least I'm not going to end up with the house main broken in my hand and a basement full of water.

I've seen plenty of interesting threads go boring.
It's kind of nice for this boring subject to be kind of interesting!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:12 AM

You are not kidding! ALL this good advice I'm starting the week with!

"All of your faucets, stop cocks and main valves should be operated at least once a year. That will keep them in working order." ~ Bert
(....speechless....)

"Plan B... Don't pay yer water bill and then when the public works shuts it off, do the fix before callin' 'um up to pay it..." ~ Bobert
I'll be laughing all day about this : )

"and the meringue wept" ~ Melissa
That one'll take me through tomorrow.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 07:01 AM

"and the meringue wept" ~ Melissa

I want the tee-shirt.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 12:55 PM

"lefty loosey, righty tighty". Yes, I know that. However, no one ever seems to mention that 'left. right' depends on how the side is being viewed.

In other words, if I stand in front of a car, say, the headlight on MY left is the RIGHT headlight of the CAR.

Transfer that scenario to a faucet and to me, the direction isn't always clear. Can't tell you how often I have discovered that there was a good reason that it wasn't coming loose.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 01:54 PM

The answer is in hacksaws, either hand or power, and cutting torches.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:08 PM

Yes, to hell with left or right! Full speed ahead!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:28 PM

Oh! I just remembered! If you pack thermite about the handle and ignite it the handle will melt right off.

Of course your house will also burn down but the faucet handle will be off.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:33 PM

Rap,
This is my granny's house and it came with a lot of old playing cards. I don't have any thermite (and really prefer not to make a trip to town if I can help it) Would it work to scrape the celluloid off the cards and pack it in the handle?

SO, one reason I've been trying so hard to do the job myself is little things like how now I can't get my water turned off until today because it was easier for the one I asked to go home and go to bed than to run out and turn off my damn meter.
Today, I shall get that turned off..and will keep the turn-off tool so I can turn it back on when I'm ready.

This drawn out affair is wearing me out!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:39 PM

While it is true that "left" and "right" is one of the things that can't be transmitted to aliens in a distant galaxy by any digital information method anyone has found, it is NOT true that putting the propeller on an airplane backwards will make the plane fly in reverse. A right-handed screw is right handed from either end.

But are we going to wait until the faucet handle is off to ask if the faucet has washers in it that need to be replaced, or if it's one of the more common "plug valves" that requires O-rings to correct a leak?

How to Repair a Faucet (page 2 if the link doesn't take you there) shows a typical compression seal faucet, as it seems we've all assumed is the kind in question.

Depending on the type of handle, note the "packing nut" in the picture. Some faucet handles "shroud" the packing nut so you can't get to it without removing the handle, but for many, you can loosen the packing nut without removing the handle and screw the piston out, allowing you to replace the washer without the need to break the handle (which is always corroded on) loose.

The next page shows a "seat dresser" for cleaning the place where the washer makes its seal. Using one of these is a recommended step, but may not be necessary if the seat appears to be in reasonably good shape.

The following page has a discussion of replacement of the stem seal. If you use a gasket/O-ring type seal, it will be necessary to get that handle off the stem, but a "cord" type packing can sometimes be used without removing the handle, if the stem is long enough.

Note that handles are usually fairly easy to replace, so "break and replace" may be an ultimate necessity if the existing handles are too badly stuck and it really is necessary to get one off. If it does go that far, replacing the entire stem along with the new handle might be worth consideration. For most common faucets individual part replacements can be found fairly easily.

Although there is some discussion of "other types of faucets" on following pages, this article doesn't appear to show any illustrations. If you run into something different than what's shown, your best recourse probably is a visit to a good hardware shop where they can show you things until you find something that looks like what you've got. Places like Lowes and Home Depot generally have displays of common plumbing riggings hanging on the walls that may be helpful, but smaller shops likely can give you fairly specific help.

John

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:44 PM

You know any volunteer firefighters, Melissa?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:47 PM

Weeeeeeeell...you could maybe perhaps kinda have some stump dissolver around? The kind you pour into a stump to dissolve it? If you do, check the ingredients. It's very very possible that it's potassium nitrate (KNO₃). If it is, pour a bunch into a CERAMIC bowl and crush it with a wooden ball or anything non-metal. When you've got a bunch ground up, mix it about 75% to 25% sugar -- plain ol' white sugar will work fine. If you feel like, add a tablespoon or two of aluminum powder (file it off old aluminum) and mix well.

Mix with a tiny amount of plain old Vaseline, just enough to get it to hold together. Pack this around the faucet stem, stick in a fuse (a match will work), light it, and see what happens.

Of course your house will burn down, as I mentioned earlier, but what the heck.

(It's a lot safer to grind the potassium nitrate when it's a water-wet paste and then let it dry IN THE SUN, but I assume you're in a bit of a rush.)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:57 PM

I sure do, 999! Our volunteer dept hasn't lost a foundation yet!!

Rap,
Will a crock bowl work? I'm not sure I have any ceramic and I don't want to scar my favorite glass bowl.
Is a croquet ball good for rolling/powdering?


JiK,
When I finally get the handle apart, IF I find that my box of washers isn't the right kind, I will take my handful of parts to a store and learn from the worker.
I plan to move the bathroom to a different room this summer..so IF I get in and find that I can't fix this leak, I'll figure out how to completely shut off the other handle and use the working parts to fix the one I'm trying to work on now. One is enough for a bathtub as long as it is hot water.
That link looks like a handy site. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:01 PM

Then have you considered letting the volunteer department know of your plight?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:04 PM

I'm afraid they might be worse with their hovering destruction than going alone, 999.

If I give one of Rap's ideas a whirl, I'll certainly alert them (and my neighbor..since I might need her to come up the hill and rescue me!)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:38 PM

No Fires!!!

BTW, if you haven't checked out John's link, Melissa, do so before attempting the job...

BTW, Part 2... It's very rare to see the main valve at the meter froze up... Might if fact, I've had "The Tool" going back 40 years and it has a lot of mileage on it and I've never seen one froze up...

You'll do fine, Melissa...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:43 PM

Yup, Bobert. I looked at JiK's link. It looks handy.

I won't have any problem with the meter when I get the tool. I know how that part works..I'm just stuck on the handle now that I've given up on shutting water off in the basement.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 04:44 PM

... It's very rare to see the main valve at the meter froze up...

Gawd! I wish I had your luck Bobert I've come across several that were completely frozen and a few more that would succumb to the persuasion of a bloody great pipe wrench.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Andrez
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:20 PM

Oh my God!!!! Did anyone notice what Melissa said to JIK? Going from removing a faucet handle to this: "I plan to move the bathroom to a different room this summer". This seems a rather large step at this stage of technical expertise. Do you have any friends or friends of friends who are plumbers, not to mention carpenters and tilers?

I'm not sure that I have enough years left in me to track that thread rivetting and interesting as the current thread happens to be :-)

Good luck to you Melissa, looking forward to a happy ending with the faucet.

Cheers,

Andre

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:25 PM

Andrez,
You have absolutely No Idea of what level of expertise I have. I am perfectly capable of switching rooms and if I wasn't, I don't suppose it would be any of your business..nor yours to judge.

I have a stuck handle.
Anybody can run into sticky spots when they're working on something.

thanks for your wellwishes.
I'm sure the project will turn out fine and if I run into problems, I will very likely start another thread to ask for suggestions/input.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:49 PM

Seems to me it's a sign of wisdom to plan a change in bathroom location ahead of time. Good thinking, Melissa. We're planning our bathroom now; love to trade ideas with you via PM.

Hey ho, the handle-oh.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:57 PM

This house has a standard 60s (teeny) bathroom and I have a nice clawfoot tub at home. Since I don't have a need for all the bedrooms here, I want to switch the laundry (which is/was the small bedroom) and bathroom. The washer/dryer will fit perfectly in there when I get the tub moved out and I do like fairly big bathrooms.
It'll be a nice change!

What are you planning for your new bathroom, Maeve?
(I am insanely delighted that you're far enough into the new house to be working on inside projects!)
Tub and shower?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:08 PM

Moving bathrooms ain't nothing... Plumbing is easier these days with PVC and CPVC and adapters from copper to CPVC and cast iron to PVC...

Used to be you bad to solder everything and pack horse hair and then pour led in the hubs of the cast iron, both of which I vividly remember...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:12 PM

There's a fairly new (new to me, anyway) type of connector for metal/copper lines that is some sort of crimp connection. I haven't looked at them in real life yet, but I've been learning a little bit second-hand. They sound kind of neat..and IF I need to rework lines, I'll probably go for that slightly more expensive option instead of learning how to work copper the old fashioned/normal way.

I've moved a bathroom before and this project already has water to both rooms..so it shouldn't be too much finagling.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:41 PM

Ok, now what?

The water is off.
The puller is a kind of neat little tool..but the handle still acts like it's being held on by a screw/threads.

I can open the handle a little more than I tried (in case there was a unscrew thing there) but I'm kind of nervous about forcing it too hard.

If I cut/cap the line, I will be without hot water to the tub and I absolutely hate that idea..

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:55 PM

In the 60s, did they sell faucet sets that were supposed to never need washers replaced? Is there a chance that I have something like that?
It could explain why I can't get the knob pulled off..

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 06:57 PM

We haven't had plumbing since May of 2010, so I understand your reluctance to lose your hot-water-in-tub arrangement. I reckon someone will stop by here with cheerful and helpful suggestions.

And the answer to your other question: shower; no room for a tub.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:16 PM

Melissa -

If you still can't get the handle off, it's likely that there's enough corrosion on the handle and/or stem to pretty much "weld" them together. This isn't really too uncommon with old faucets. If there was a screw in the middle of the handle that you were able to remove, that means the handle is meant to come off and yours "just doesn't want to."

Plumbers are divided about the best approach for this. Some seem to talk to it in the hope that it will change its attitude and become more cooperative; but this seldom works until the language becomes quite forceful and inappropriate for young ladies, and is accompanied by other displays of persuasive actions.

"Tapping" on the handle to attempt to "rock it" on the stem is sometimes claimed to eventually loosen things, and usually starts with light tapping but eventually moves to the "get a bigger hammer" approach. Sometimes innocent adjacent parts are injured with this method.

There are also numerous "soak it with &#||&$@#" where the potions used can be almost anything nasty. Since most waters that might have contributed to corrosion there are at least slightly alkaline, a mild acid like ordinary vinegar might possibly help to at least soften the crud, but most things aggressive enough to do much good are likely to make the stem unsuitable for reinstallation.

Some recommend applying heat, meaning with a propane torch or the like, but lots of walls have been set on fire with this approach, sometimes well inside where you don't see it until it's too late (and it seldom does any real good IMO).

IF YOU CAN GET TO the packing nut to get a wrench on it (see the picture at my link above) and can unscrew it, the whole innards of the faucet should come out quite easily, and you'll be able to deal with the handle and stem separately where you can beat it up without risking damage to the piping. Note that the packing nut should be a normal right-hand thread, but the faucet stem may screw out either way once the nut is backed off a ways.

Chances are that if the handle and stem are really stuck together as tightly as described, your best bet would be to replace the whole stem and handle parts, since any way you put the old ones back together they're gonna be stuck again very soon.

John

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:27 PM

Thanks, JiK..that's kind of what I expected to hear.
The persuasive words in various strengths and tones didn't seem to help any more than the whacking and wiggling.

I can't get inside/under to grab the stem with anything..the sleeve/cover is in the way.

..guess I'll be living with a running drip until I switch rooms and install a different set. Maybe I'll be able to keep the meter tool for a while and can sort of limit my water wasting a little bit that way.

The only thing I could think of to do was turn the handle a little bit toward open in case the washer wanted to fluff itself up while it isn't pressed. I'm sure it won't fluff up, but I'm sure not losing anything by trying..

Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:38 PM

Melissa-

I certainly can't fault you for being cautious.

Maybe it's time to call in a professional, and observe what he says when the rotted old fixture breaks off in his wrench.

Something new and shiny might be a real moral booster at that moment.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:46 PM

Charley,
As pathetic as it seems, I really can't afford to splurge on a replacement now AND a set for my clawfoot tub when I get it moved in. Just one set is enough to pinch my pocket pretty hard..so, no professionals for me even though it probably Would do me some good to learn a few professional words of encouragement for defiant knobs.

I guess I'll just have to hope the weather complies with a moved-up date for hauling my tub from home to here. Our upcoming cold snap might be the last one and IF it doesn't get too muddy for a while, I'll be able to get to work with the heavy shuffling.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:47 PM

I'm sure Charley meant "morale booster" as the morals in question are surely unpeckable.(?)

John

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:49 PM

I'm pretty sure the morals are somewhat unpredictable, now that you mention it!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:50 PM

Forget the professionals...

If the center screw is out then the handle is free to come off... Be sure that you are actually pullin' the handle itself and don't have the puller pulling against itself (i.e. something that is part of the valve housing and not the handle)...

Make sure you are not pulling against yourself... If you are indeed pulling ONLY the handle than it's gotta come... Gotta...

If you are sure that you are pulling on the handle than crank it down.... There is nothing there that can break... Tighten it as hard as you can and then tap the handle next to the shaft...

It will come... It has to...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:55 PM

I think you might be underestimating my intelligence or tenacity, Bobert. I am fairly strong and tightened it pretty hard..and made sure I had it set up sensibly.

I'm on my own and if I break it, I am screwed. I am strong enough that it isn't impossible for me to break it by overforcing..

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 11:00 PM

If I break it, I will have no water to the house..and I never want to have to live a waterless life again.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 11:05 PM

If it's not going to come, it's not going to come. Leave it and hope for decent weather. At least you'll have learned some new stuff from this.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 11:07 PM

Okay, you have the screw out??? Correct???

Look at the bolt portion of the gear puller and be sure that it isn't just pushing down on the handle and not the shaft... It has to be pushing on the shaft... That's where you might have to reinstall the screw and just don't screw it all the way down so that the bolt on the puller is pushing on the shaft...

If you are 100% sure that that is occurring and taping on the handle (at the shaft, not the handle part) then you might have to go to Plan B which is a torch... No, not a cutting torch but a Harry-Homeowner torch... Butane...

Wish I could be there and we would get this thing off tonight!!!

Sumabichin' handle.... Grrrrrrr!!!

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 11:08 PM

I've learned quite a bit more than I expected, Rap..and appreciate it!

There's a lot of information in this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:28 AM

Melissa, if I was determined to use a gear puller, I'd try to find another screw that fits well into the shaft, and preferably a square of Phillips-head one so that the puller is centred in the screwdriver recess, rather than use the original screw and bugger it up. The original is likely to be a brass screw, therefore not very strong, and the shaft is likely to be brass too. Threads in brass are EASILY stripped.

I'd consider getting someone to grind/file off the first threads (on the new screw) leaving a 'tit' on the end in hopes that you can bottom-out the 'tit' and NOT work on the thread. Careful comparison of the thread depth versus hole depth needed here.
I'd also use a hose clip around the legs of the puller so that it worked on the boss of the handle.

As several people have said, use heat, maybe from a borrowed gas blowlamp, ONLY (as far as possible) on the handle. Brass expands well with heat, and it should expand away from the shaft.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 03:29 AM

OK. It seems that you have removed the screw and that you have the puller installed correctly, but the bugger still wont come off.

And tapping it gently hasn't worked. The next step is to get serious with it. As I said earlier, get yourself a two pound hammer and give it a sharp whack downwards right on the screw of the puller. Then tighten the screw a little more and repeat the process. Don't be gentle with it. If is is set up correctly you shouldn't break anything.

I know that you have checked that the arms of the puller are under the handle and that the screw is pushing directly on the faucet spindle and is not itself overlapping the screw and pushing on the handle.

If the puller screw is too large in diameter that can sometimes happen.

If all else fails you will have to cut the handle off with a hacksaw, being careful not to damage the spindle. Replacement handles are cheap.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:10 AM

Melissa-

I would also back off at this point, and I did not mean to impugn your morals above. Please accept my abject apologies.

I do hate a messy flood, remembering the kitchen sink spray attachment I endeavored to replace.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:31 AM

Once again, the silence is deafening...

Melissa???

Melissa???

MELISSA!?!?!?!

(Hmmmmmmmmm, water's been off for 12 hours now??? Poor girl been up all night pounding on that handle... This looks bad, bad, bad...)

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:50 AM

You didn't go drown yourself, did you Melissa?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:54 AM

Ahem... I don't suppose Melissa has anything else to do besides torture her faucet handles and cause weeping among the meringues, do you?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 11:51 AM

No, we don't think she does, maeve... After all, she's had to have the water shut off to her entire house...

(Bobert bites fiungernails)...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 12:39 PM

I don't use much water when I sleep and as a SuperScout, I made sure to have plenty in the tub for flushing. Having the water off for a while isn't a great hardship (since I can turn it back on easily)

I dreamed out another thing to try today..and then I'll just give up on the project and live with the leak. Knowing when to quit is a virtue sometimes.
I really don't want to break the handle and turn the small stream into a gullywasher!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:01 PM

So the story is over???

Or did you just dream it was over???

Well, if yer gonna move everything anyway you'll be installing a new diverter valve in anyway and it will come with new everything...


B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:18 PM

I'm going to try the idea I came up with in my sleep..and then it'll be over (unless it works and I come up on another sticky spot!)
If my scheme works, I'll be back to tell you all about it. There's a good chance that it's kind of a dumb idea..so I doubt I'll tell about it here if it flops.

If I wasn't planning on moving the bathroom, I'd probably go ahead and get a different faucet set now..but since I am moving it (and my other tub will use different faucet) I can stand to give up and live with wasting water for a while.
If I go ahead and keep catching the leak in the tub..and use it for flushing, I won't be wasting as much as it seems like.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:01 PM

Oh, Mr. Bobert, Mr. Bobert!
Will you fix my faucet,
It's been leaking for a week?
If it don't stop,
We'll be up Shit's Creek!

Doodily doo,
Doodily doo,
Doddily, doodily, doodily doodily doodily doo!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:04 PM

Ha, Charley!
When I was straining the handle yesterday, I got to thinking about shitcreek and backed off right quick!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 02:07 PM

Keep your paddle handy.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 05:28 PM

Have pipe wrench, will travel...

For the right price, that is...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 06:38 PM

a uke serenade while you work..and a quart of shine, Bobert?
..that's about the best I can offer.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 06:42 PM

I probably would have resorted to one of these when the first efforts didn't work.

With a rotary tool of the Dremel type, and a cutoff wheel, you can make a nice cut about 1/16 inch wide in just about anything. A cut down each side of the handle close to but not necessarily all the way to the stem should make the handle loose.

When the handle falls off, if you can't find a replacement, just lock a pair of these on the stem and you're back in business.

While the rotary tool may cost you $20 or $30 (US) and the cutoff blades are about a buck each, once you've used it the first time you'll probably find something else you need it for at least every week or two for the rest of your (or it's) life. (I do recommend the AC powered kind, not the battery type.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 09:33 AM

Apologies to Bobert in advance but this is where the muse takes me:

"No, I won't, Miss. No, I won't, Miss,
I won't fix your faucet,
I won't stop the flow;
It's sink or swim
If you ain't got the dough!"

Doodily doo,
Doodily doo,
Doddily, doodily, doodily doodily doodily doo!

But let's all meditate on a brighter and drip-free day.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bert
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:02 AM

The plumber's motto

"If you can't fix it, Faucet"

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 03:45 PM

Hooray for nice guys who come to switch the house over to fiberoptic! I asked him to see if he could give the inside shut-off a try and he got it to break loose.
The water is off inside the house!
I will not have to keep messing with the meter..

Yay!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: maeve
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 05:50 PM

Great alternate strategy, Melissa! How kind of them to assist you.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 06:04 PM

..and if I hear/see him tomorrow when he comes to check on the fiberoptic hookup, I just might ask him if he'd mind trying to pull off that dang handle!

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 06:34 PM

You're going to invite a stranger into your bathroom? Hmmm....

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 06:36 PM

heh heh heh, wouldn't you?

He's not all that strange, Rap..just a little bit.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Bobert
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 06:37 PM

Yeah, Rap... All she offered me was a song and some shine...

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:15 PM

Oh, dear. I feel another worse verse coming. What rhymes with "fiberoptic"?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 11:02 PM

Drunken Coptic?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 11:06 PM

frisky myopic?

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Melissa
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:11 AM

maybe it would be easier to rhyme 'guy from the phone company' or something like that..but that wouldn't be half as much fun.

Well Bobert, the thing is, the guy was here AND he snazzed up my phone/computer connection. An offer of song and shine isn't really anything to sneeze at..he worked much cheaper.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 06:43 AM

Time for a little levity. To stay within thread parameters, I will tell you that I got this one from a plumber. It's not true, but that's what I'm tellin' ya.

Guy goes to the butcher shop and says, "I'd like a pound of kidley please." Butcher asks him twice to repeat what he'd said. The guy does. Finally, the butcher says "You mean kidney, dontcha?" Guy replies, "That's what I said, diddle I?"

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 08:00 AM

Well, go to the Devil, Sir!
Go to the Devil, Sir!
You can go to the Devil if you want some dough,
I've a fiberoptic man who can roll and go!

Doodily doo,
Doodily doo,
Doddily, doodily, doodily doodily doodily doo!

I really loved "drunken Coptic" and "frisky myopic" but maybe I can work them into another ditty.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 08:01 AM

The frisky myopic drunken Coptic
Was eating curds and whey
Along came a spider
And sat down beside her
And in a panic she used a piece of halyard to beat the sh#t out of it!

The End


It's my first attempt so please feel free to change it.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 09:04 AM

999-

You show promise but don't quit your day-job yet.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:10 PM

Dare I ask for an update?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 07:10 AM

*glug glug*

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 10:05 AM

Hey, you guys. Don`t you realize that all the while you are engaged in comic repartee and pleasant banter poor Melissa`s tap is still dripping when she turns the mains stopcock on, she is having sleepless nights with the "Chinese torture" and finding funding for the plumber is causing her bank manager to take valium!! Have a heart!.

Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle
From: Gurney
Date: 17 Feb 12 - 03:04 PM

A flannel placed under the drip will stop the water torture. If she leaves it long enough, years, the water will eventually cut a channel in the seat and it will become a stream.
Streams are quieter.
I have seen taps that were so deeply cut they were unsaveable, but it takes many years, and taps are pretty cheap, particularly second-hand/used.

As a general observation, I wouldn't care if MOST bank managers lost sleep.