- Messages
- 10,034
Been trying to replace a pair of taps that were fitted in early 70's. Basin has square tapholes and been filled with putty. Tried heat, brute force and colourful language but nothing! Going to look for a set of box spanners on auto websites. Looks like 24/25mm A/F, all the crap from plumbing supplies are 2-3mm too big
On yours you could still fail to remove the nuts as the putty will have oozed into the back nut threads, - especially on the hot tap.
Had that on some basin and bath taps.
If you can get a drill in and use a brand new steel drill bit to drill a line of holes in the back nut and then open the nut or split it off using a large flat blade screwdriver.
Should only take a few minutes.
The rock hard putty might still hold the taps in, but at least you can then see it and also drill to weaken it.
Obviously wear safety glasses for looking upwards when you drill.