Plumbing question - how do I tighten this tap?

[pikey]

Hello,

This sounds simple - a tap has got more and more wobbly and needs tightening. As I can't see a nut at the top of the tap I assume it's underneath.

The tricky bit is getting to it, as there's a sink in the way.



I seem to remember it was already attached to the work top when the work top went in.

Is the only way to tighten up the tap to get a man in to take the work top off? There must be an easier way...

Yours disparingly,

Pikey

[pikey]

PS. It's tiled in now

[Sciroccology]

Can you see it from the cupboard underneath?

[Parrot of Doom]

The sink will probably have to come out, as it will rest on a wooden shelf that probably extends to the rear of the cabinet, with holes drilled for the pipes.

It isn't a massive job, but they can be a bit awkward to get back into position.

[Crusoe]

Sink doesn't go all the way back, might be access at the back of the cupboard at the bottom. Maybe an extension on a long socket could reach from below.

[Allanv]

Personally I would remove the end cupboard and gain access that way, you could check the cupboard under the sink and see if you can gain access to the tap that way.

The problem you face is getting a spanner in there if you do go from under the sink.

[Oldandslow]

There are sink spanners designed to work at right angles to the nut but I haven't seen one long enough to work behind a Belfast sink but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Have you got access under the sink or in from the sides?

[mrmaggit]

There should be a large flanged nut (Matron) holding the tap, secured underneath the tap. The only way in will be via the cupboards, unless you fancy undoing the outlet on the basin and removing that first. But usually Belfast sinks are pretty well fastened in.

[Parrot of Doom]

Trust me, I have exactly the same setup. The easiest course of action is to remove the sink.

[pikey]

Oldandslow said:

Have you got access under the sink or in from the sides?

Not from under. Not from the sides (ie. in the cupboard).

I've dug out this pic where you can see how it's made up:

[pikey]

mrmaggit said:

usually Belfast sinks are pretty well fastened in.

Mine is, lots of silicon..

[pikey]

Parrot of Doom said:

Trust me, I have exactly the same setup. The easiest course of action is to remove the sink.

I'm starting to come to that conclusion.

Any tips on how?

Thanks

[GreatGranny]

Has this extension gone better than the loft?

Is pikey.net still going?

[Mike400]

If you didnt fit it yourself, cant you complain to the kitchen fitter / at least get him to fix it at a reduced rate?

[shirt]

that cupboard underneath the sink, is there a gap at the back that you can access the tap from?

you can buy long tubular sockets from your local DIY store for the nut, you might just have a little fun finding it!

[mechsympathy]

mrmaggit said:

There should be a large flanged nut (Matron) holding the tap, secured underneath the tap. The only way in will be via the cupboards, unless you fancy undoing the outlet on the basin and removing that first. But usually Belfast sinks are pretty well fastened in.

The cupboards will have backs though, is that a dishwasher on the left of the sink? That should come out pretty easily and then it's a case of reaching round (ooer).

[Parrot of Doom]

pikey said:

Parrot of Doom said:

Trust me, I have exactly the same setup. The easiest course of action is to remove the sink.

I'm starting to come to that conclusion.

Any tips on how?

Thanks

Remove the waste pipe from above and below, cut away the silicon from around the edges, and just yank it free, cutting glue and silicon as you go.

It might be worth putting a lock nut on the base of the tap, to ensure it doesn't happen again.

[pikey]

GreatGranny said:

Has this extension gone better than the loft?

Extension finished last year & it works well. Wasn't all that smooth as I had to get someone else in to finish. The builder went out of business before the end owing vast amounts to the taxman.

[pikey]

shirt said:

that cupboard underneath the sink, is there a gap at the back that you can access the tap from?

No, as it's a special housing for a belfast sink. The only way up is at kick-plate level.

[pikey]

mechsympathy said:

The cupboards will have backs though, is that a dishwasher on the left of the sink? That should come out pretty easily and then it's a case of reaching round (ooer).

The backs are pre-assembled as the cupboards went in.

It is indeed a dishwasher on the left and I never thought of sliding that out.

You know, that may be the puppy (although it'll be very tight to get in there)