What to do with washer that has broken screw stuck in it?

[ugoleaf]

I have 3-tap configured shower: left hot tap, middle control tap, right cold tap. Last time i tinkered with cold tap because i have noticed i need to give it a few spins before water flow starts so disassembled, tightened screw which solved only small fraction of the problem as tap itself was loosely attached to washer but the main problem remained unsolved. So yesterday i wanted to tinker with it again only to find myself applying force to unscrew and finally breaking the head of the screw so once i removed tap, it was rusty inside but washer on the other hand was okay. I tried to upload pictures but it failed telling me something about resolution but i managed to upload them to another website:




But let's get back to main problem - the stuck broken screw with protruding end around 2mm long which I was dubious to grip with jaw locking pliers and release:



And so we get to second problem which is washer. I want to be sure that washer is the main cause of delayed water start that comes only after 3-4 spins. You can see video here:



Sure I can still attach tap to control flow but it eventually falls off so i appreciate any advice given here. Thanks in advance!

[warmadmax]

looks like you've sheared off the tap handle retaining screw.
i've seen a couple of methods to extract screws.
easiest one if it's sitting proud as is in your pictures, hacksaw blade to cut a slot into it then use a flat bladed screwdriver to undo it steadly,
if it doesn't want to move, try some heat on it or penetrating oil
other ways are drilling it out or use a screw extractor.


unsure on your flow problem, when you had the tap body off to check the washer, did you check inside the fitting for any blockages?
can't imagine the washer being the cause of it not flowing, it's normally the other way round, it doesn't stop the flow properly.

[warmadmax]

ah it's a shower, have you checked in the inlet strainers ??

could be clogged

[ugoleaf]

Yes it is a shower but i never tinkered with inlet strainer. You are talking about inlet strainer in shower head? I can unscrew it and take a look. I may find limescale inside however i think this problem existed even prior to when i changed older shower to new shower set which was one year ago...

[warmadmax]

No I mean on the supply pipes to the shower valve, can sometimes be builtiinto the valve body,
Finding manufacturer instructions would guide you through it better

[Someone-Else]

Would a "tap body" fit in there?

I changed mine to ceramic, all I did was buy a new "body" unscrew old one in with new one, put handles on all done.



Like above, but bigger

[ugoleaf]

@warmadmax I tried penetrating oil previously and it didn't budge so that's how i broke the screw head. I doubt cutting slot in it and heating it will do something to it so drilling i reckon is the way. But i practiced drilling very little so i lack experience but i will do it just don't know what drill bit to use. I have masonry, then i have titanium pilot which i hear are very keen and great for making small hole before drilling. Are any of these good for drillin out screw?

Would a "tap body" fit in there?

I changed mine to ceramic, all I did was buy a new "body" unscrew old one in with new one, put handles on all done.



Like above, but bigger

I beg your pardon but this picture is waaay small for my gigantic eyes to see. Can you replace it with bigger so i can take a better look?

[aeromech3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fU_81RyS48
Unfortunately for you they come in many sizes (diameter, lengths as well as splines) and best you take the old cartridge to a good local plumbing store to match it.

[Megaross]

Plenty of penetrating fluid and a set of mole grips.
If it won't come though, it'll be a false economy to p*ss about using any other methods (drilling it out). Bring the body to a plumbers merchants and get a replacement.

[Someone-Else]

ugoleaf, believe it or not I could not find a clearer / bigger picture that wasn't plastered in text. So I suggest do what I did take one out and take it to a diy shed or plumbers merchant

[roadgamethes]

yeah, i think so, believe it or not I could not find a clearer / bigger picture that wasn't plastered in text. So I suggest do what I did take one out and take it to a diy shed or plumbers merchant,thanks for your sharing, good info to me

[ugoleaf]

Plenty of penetrating fluid and a set of mole grips.
If it won't come though, it'll be a false economy to p*ss about using any other methods (drilling it out). Bring the body to a plumbers merchants and get a replacement.

So you are suggesting to replace instead of drilling out? Is it because of a hassle of finding new screw later? I am not sure on what you suggested taking to local merchant. Is it washer?

[Megaross]

It's not about finding a new screw later, it's just drilling and tapping a hole on a part which is rusty as b*llocks and would cost less than £20 to replace is a false economy.

I'm talking about replacing the whole tap assembly.

[ugoleaf]

It's not about finding a new screw later, it's just drilling and tapping a hole on a part which is rusty as b*llocks and would cost less than £20 to replace is a false economy.

I'm talking about replacing the whole tap assembly.

Hi, should I assume tap with washer discussed here or all 3 taps (middle tap controls hot and cold) with washers?

[ugoleaf]

I just happen to have washer and it looks like new. I don't remember where i got it from but i think i should try replacing one that has stuck screw with this one, not to mention i won't need to drill anything.