They’re called anti-vandal taps. Supposed to discourage people from knicking tap handles. Believe it or not people steal tap handles from rental properties and hotel rooms all the time. I find the tool sometimes won’t undo the little threaded nut if it’s been loctight into place. If you open the tap fully before undoing the cover assembly there’s enough clearance to get channel grips onto the spindle to undo it, even if the hex part is behind the tile.
Awesome work, very well explained and demonstrated. I have a similar tap in my bathroom that's been loose for a while, and I had no idea how to remove it. I only worked out how to unscrew that large part that holds the backing onto the wall. Unfortunately it seemed the tap is so short, it wouldn't unscrew far enough to get a spanner in there, so would need that stupid speciality tool. Cheers for linking to one!
I Had to hacksaw the spindle off a couple weeks ago aswell, agreed worst design ever!. it was easier to do this and replace with a non vandal proof tap set. Thanks @Billshowto !
Your right a very stupid design. I have two things, a tap spanner and the tube spanners. Thank goodness I don’t have those taps. Thanks once again Bill for your great DIY.
I recently replaced our bath taps, the previous ones had been on there for about 20 years, ugly plastic things with the push in cap and nut behind the cap, with a spring in the base. When I replaced the taps I soon realised that the breecher piece (pipework) had originally been installed very badly and the fittings were on an angle. The new taps lack of spring meant the shrouds were unable to adjust to the angle, leaving gaps between them and the wall, which I had to fill with clear silicone. The alternative (as far as I know) would be to remove the tiles and plasterboard, get a plumber in to do the plumbing properly, then resheet, retile, and repaint the wall... sometimes the old things were just better.
I have these exact taps. The tool I bought just slight does not lock in so cant remove. Luckily after watching your vid I realised i could actually access the tap to change the washer.
Sometimes if you try gripping the conical ones with a piece of that rubber mesh type anti-slip matting you can get them undone. Usually sold for drawer liners or for under floor rugs. I keep an off-cut in my toolbox. My wife uses one to remove jar lids when I'm not home. Apparently I'm not completely useless!
These seem to be AV Jennings bulk buy crap. I'd say it was invented to prevent theft from half finished builds maybe? Regardless, thanks mate! Saved me alot of swearing
Hey everyone - you don't always need this tool! I already had a plumber change my washer, but after he left the tap handle fell off a week later. I didn't want to call back if not necessary. I was able to reattach the tap handle using tweezers, just wedging one prong in the gap and twisting it. My tap handle is on firmly now. Cool! This might not be so easy for removing taps if they're firmly attached. Let's see how long this lasts!
What a great idea. I assume the tweezers had the bent tips to allow access to those slots in the nut. Someone else suggested circlip pliers, but I never had any success with those. If in doubt, improvise!
Thanks Bill handy to know, some of the nonsense plumbing designs in my houses mixer taps, toilet cistern, hot water heater, solar hot water connectors etc you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking.
Where can i purchase a tap spanner tool like tte one in the video? The store in out area doesn't have one, nor can i find it on Amazon. I live in California, USA.
It’s possible that it’s seized. You can always cut the spindle off and replace the whole tap with one that won’t give you a headache. I have videos on how to replace taps also 👍
@billshowto , was thinking I'd just cut the handle off at the spindle ... I had to replace one tap , which was a completely different handle ... maybe it was to hard to do the other
@billshowto , also I can't seem to undo the spindle cover , the cover that is against the wall ... do majority just screw off ? This is doing my head in , I know how to fix it , it's just these stupid hurdles to get there
One tip is to double check you are turning the nut/tool in the correct direction. Because you are looking at the nut from the "wrong" end, the direction appears reversed. The "Lefty Loosy" rule only works if you are looking at it from the correct direction. Imagine holding a nut & bolt in your hands and you are unscrewing the nut. If you look from the nut end you turn left to loosen. If you look from the bolt head end you appear to be turning to the right. Similarly, an object to "my left" is to "your right" if we are facing each other. You can see that Bill is turning the tool to "his" right to loosen in the video. Many people have damaged the tool or the nut because of this confusion. Hope that makes sense.
Oh, some brands have unusual size tools. It should be in the box with the tap. If you ever buy a tap like this DO NOT allow the plumber to steal that tool! He probably has twenty already and you need it, not him. Sometimes it gets tossed out with the box.
Tenants need to be able to change washers, if they cannot get the tap handles off, then they will have to get the landlord to pay a plumber to do it. It would not be the tenants fault that such daft taps were installed.
As has been mentioned on numerous occasions the design of these taps is atrocious. The answer is to choose a different, user-friendly model, that allows easy access to the spindle. If we collectively boycott certain tap designs then manufacturers may eventually notice falling sales! I think i'd have permanently changed the taps in the video for a better brand so as to alleviate future hassles; washers don't seem to last too long these days!
These are called tap handles with hidden fixing: totally stupid idea by some idiot at grohe or hansgrohe. This is what you get when "design" and "style" take over practicality. By the way, the tool could be circlip pliers. Check them online.
Agreed Bill; not the easiest taps to remove. Another great video, simple but fiddly fix. Great results as always. 👍
👍👍👍
They’re called anti-vandal taps. Supposed to discourage people from knicking tap handles. Believe it or not people steal tap handles from rental properties and hotel rooms all the time.
I find the tool sometimes won’t undo the little threaded nut if it’s been loctight into place. If you open the tap fully before undoing the cover assembly there’s enough clearance to get channel grips onto the spindle to undo it, even if the hex part is behind the tile.
Awesome work, very well explained and demonstrated. I have a similar tap in my bathroom that's been loose for a while, and I had no idea how to remove it. I only worked out how to unscrew that large part that holds the backing onto the wall. Unfortunately it seemed the tap is so short, it wouldn't unscrew far enough to get a spanner in there, so would need that stupid speciality tool. Cheers for linking to one!
Omg thank you so much for this tutorial!!! I had no idea what to do with this kind of tap. You just saved me a crazy plumbing bill ❤😅
You’re welcome 👍
Love it Bill. I had to replace some of those taps, and I had to grind them off. Bloody things. Now i like that little tool you used.
Lol I have done that before too👍👍👍
@@billshowto where did you get that little spanner thing from please?
@@Stevej2013bunnings sell them 👍
I Had to hacksaw the spindle off a couple weeks ago aswell, agreed worst design ever!. it was easier to do this and replace with a non vandal proof tap set. Thanks @Billshowto !
Your right a very stupid design. I have two things, a tap spanner and the tube spanners. Thank goodness I don’t have those taps. Thanks once again Bill for your great DIY.
Lol 👍👍
Thanks Bill, excellent video and explanation, blessings. 😉👍
I recently replaced our bath taps, the previous ones had been on there for about 20 years, ugly plastic things with the push in cap and nut behind the cap, with a spring in the base. When I replaced the taps I soon realised that the breecher piece (pipework) had originally been installed very badly and the fittings were on an angle. The new taps lack of spring meant the shrouds were unable to adjust to the angle, leaving gaps between them and the wall, which I had to fill with clear silicone. The alternative (as far as I know) would be to remove the tiles and plasterboard, get a plumber in to do the plumbing properly, then resheet, retile, and repaint the wall... sometimes the old things were just better.
Love your content brother! Keep them coming. My understanding is those handles were designed to stop people stealing them in commercial settings.
Lol, I am sure the intention was good however I’m sure a thief would come prepared with tools for the job.
I have these exact taps. The tool I bought just slight does not lock in so cant remove. Luckily after watching your vid I realised i could actually access the tap to change the washer.
Question did you change that tap out. I know I’m going to
@nromanov2150 No the taps are in great condition so l just changed the washers
Thanks for the video mate, absolute legend 👍🏻
Thanks Bill would have never know would have resulted in a lot of swearing 😂😂
Cheers mate
Thaks Bill. You have helped me so much 🙂
absolute deadset legend thank you
need to comment twice, thank you thank you thank you
You’re welcome 👍
Cheers Bill👍👏👏
I have these things in my house. Also they have a conical spindle cover that is impossible to grip with any tool.
Sometimes if you try gripping the conical ones with a piece of that rubber mesh type anti-slip matting you can get them undone. Usually sold for drawer liners or for under floor rugs. I keep an off-cut in my toolbox. My wife uses one to remove jar lids when I'm not home. Apparently I'm not completely useless!
Well done Bill 👏 👏 👏 proud of u.
👍👍👍👍👍
These seem to be AV Jennings bulk buy crap. I'd say it was invented to prevent theft from half finished builds maybe? Regardless, thanks mate! Saved me alot of swearing
Thanks bro, that was doing my head in.
You’re welcome 👍
Hey everyone - you don't always need this tool!
I already had a plumber change my washer, but after he left the tap handle fell off a week later. I didn't want to call back if not necessary.
I was able to reattach the tap handle using tweezers, just wedging one prong in the gap and twisting it. My tap handle is on firmly now. Cool!
This might not be so easy for removing taps if they're firmly attached.
Let's see how long this lasts!
What a great idea. I assume the tweezers had the bent tips to allow access to those slots in the nut. Someone else suggested circlip pliers, but I never had any success with those. If in doubt, improvise!
Thanks Bill handy to know, some of the nonsense plumbing designs in my houses mixer taps, toilet cistern, hot water heater, solar hot water connectors etc you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking.
Good video
Legend, thank you
Where can i purchase a tap spanner tool like tte one in the video? The store in out area doesn't have one, nor can i find it on Amazon. I live in California, USA.
Cheers dude 👍🏻
Great video and I hope I never see those taps again. 🤣
You and me both👍
Hi , i couldn't undo the nut ..😢... i used the tool but i couldn't budget .. in the end the tool broke , any ideas on what to do next ?
It’s possible that it’s seized. You can always cut the spindle off and replace the whole tap with one that won’t give you a headache. I have videos on how to replace taps also 👍
@billshowto , was thinking I'd just cut the handle off at the spindle ... I had to replace one tap , which was a completely different handle ... maybe it was to hard to do the other
@billshowto , also I can't seem to undo the spindle cover , the cover that is against the wall ... do majority just screw off ? This is doing my head in , I know how to fix it , it's just these stupid hurdles to get there
One tip is to double check you are turning the nut/tool in the correct direction. Because you are looking at the nut from the "wrong" end, the direction appears reversed. The "Lefty Loosy" rule only works if you are looking at it from the correct direction.
Imagine holding a nut & bolt in your hands and you are unscrewing the nut. If you look from the nut end you turn left to loosen. If you look from the bolt head end you appear to be turning to the right. Similarly, an object to "my left" is to "your right" if we are facing each other. You can see that Bill is turning the tool to "his" right to loosen in the video. Many people have damaged the tool or the nut because of this confusion. Hope that makes sense.
Your videos are very helpful. I get the tool but the screw won’t budge at all - can’t get a grip, just keeps slipping out of the holes 😒
See my reply to @CrebosFishingAdventures. It sounds silly, but you may be turning the tool the "wrong" way.
Oh, some brands have unusual size tools. It should be in the box with the tap. If you ever buy a tap like this DO NOT allow the plumber to steal that tool! He probably has twenty already and you need it, not him. Sometimes it gets tossed out with the box.
thank you! do you know where i can buy this special little tool?
In Australia, from Bunnings
@@jasonn1210 Thanks
Thank you
You’re welcome 👍
Can you get the tap handle tool from Bunnings? Great video by the way, ive learnt alot from your channel. 😊
Sure can👍
Looks like it was designed for a gaol facility 😂
Lol
Those taps might make sense in a rental property but otherwise yeah couldn't agree more...nightmare
Lol I still can’t work out what or who exactly they are intended for?
Tenants need to be able to change washers, if they cannot get the tap handles off, then they will have to get the landlord to pay a plumber to do it. It would not be the tenants fault that such daft taps were installed.
That design is to keep the plumbers employed
The handle is stuck even after removing the ring, what can I do?
👍🏽👍🏽
Every part of that design looks like complete rubbish.
Must be German design ???
Not wrong bill. So many moronic designers out there
I have these taps. Im going to replace them there a nuisance
As has been mentioned on numerous occasions the design of these taps is atrocious.
The answer is to choose a different, user-friendly model, that allows easy access to the spindle.
If we collectively boycott certain tap designs then manufacturers may eventually notice falling sales! I think i'd have permanently changed the taps in the video for a better brand so as to alleviate future hassles; washers don't seem to last too long these days!
Ahhhhhhhhh
Luck or skill or technique???
Damn dumb stupid design. If Its stuck, the grinder comes in
Life saver 🛟😄
These are called tap handles with hidden fixing: totally stupid idea by some idiot at grohe or hansgrohe.
This is what you get when "design" and "style" take over practicality.
By the way, the tool could be circlip pliers. Check them online.