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BS: How to remove faucet handle
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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 |
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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? |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 :-) |
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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 |
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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 |
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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~ |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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~ |
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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! |
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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? |
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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.) |
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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 |
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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 |
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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;~( |
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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!! |
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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~ |
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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. |
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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? |
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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.. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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~ |
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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. |
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Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle From: Bert Date: 05 Feb 12 - 11:06 AM Good plan B Bobert!! |
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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 |
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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! |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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!! |
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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 |
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Subject: RE: BS: How to remove faucet handle From: GUEST,999 Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:44 PM You know any volunteer firefighters, Melissa? |
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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.) |
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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! |
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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? |
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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!) |
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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~ |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
