How To Remove A Stuck Tap
Struggling with a tap that refuses to turn? You’re not alone. Taps often seize up thanks to rust, mineral deposits, or everyday grime that gradually builds up over time.
Fortunately, there’s no need to panic or call a plumber right away. With a bit of cleaning, WD-40®, and elbow grease, you should be able to get it turning in no time.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to remove a stuck tap using a few household tools and the power of WD-40 Specialist® Penetrant Spray.
Things you will need
Wrench
Wire Brush
Step 1
Assess how to remove the stuck tap
Firstly, the main priority is to not panic. A stuck tap is entirely fixable. You should assess the tap to see if you can locate the root of the problem.
If you can see a build up of rust, dirt, debris, or mold, you should be able to repair the tap easily yourself. However, if there appears to be a leak, or broken or splintered materials, you should contact your local plumber for help. If there is a risk of exposing yourself to extremely hot water, always leave the job to a professional.
Step 2
Get your wrench out
Once you have assessed the situation, there are a number of routes you can take to unsticking your tap. If you can’t see any damage or build up on the tap, it may simply require a little bit of additional force. Grab a wrench and gently but firmly turn the tap anti-clockwise until it begins to move. Be careful to not apply too much pressure, as you don’t want to damage the tap accidentally.
Step 3
Remove any build-up on your stuck tap
If the wrench wasn’t quite budging your tap, you should try to remove any build up which may be causing it to stick.
Using a wire brush, gently scrub away at any residue apparent around the tap, being careful to avoid scratching the metal surfaces. Once you are happy with the clean-up, try again with your wrench. The tap may unstick quite quickly following cleaning, so use the wrench with caution.
Step 4
Penetrate the stuck tap
So, you’ve tried scrubbing away at the build up, but it hasn’t worked? Next, you need to bring in the help of WD-40 Specialist® Penetrant Spray. This fast-releasing product helps to loosen seized parts quickly and efficiently, so your tap will be back in action in no time. Simply grab a bottle of the handy spray, and use the flexible Smart Straw mechanism to direct the product into the small gaps around the tap where the build up is visible. Once applied, leave the product to break down and loosen the build up for around five minutes.
After you have waited five minutes, grab your wire brush and work away the loosened build up. It should slide away with ease thanks to the fast-releasing product. Then, grab your wrench and try to manipulate the tap once again. It should turn with ease. If you find your tap is still stiff, repeat the spraying process and allow the product time to break the build up down further.
Step 5
Prevent future sticking
Now that your tap is back in action, it is important to keep it well maintained. To prevent future build up and corrosion, use WD-40 Specialist® Penetrant Spray on your taps once a month to lubricate them, keeping them supple and free from rust.
You have now fixed your stuck tap!
So, there you have it! A well maintained, rust free tap ready for the next cold weather strike. If you found this blog handy, discover how else you can use WD-40® around your home and garden. You will find plenty of other amazing WD-40® uses from removing bath sealant to helping fix a squeaky dishwasher and more!
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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