Popup bath waste removal

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by darknesssam, Jul 31, 2019.

  1. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    Hoping someone here might have a bright idea...

    We've recently moved into a flat and the popup bath waste needs replacing. There's a hole on the underside of the overflow handle, but the screw inside there is completely rusted and feels like it's stripped (suggesting someone has previously tried and failed to remove it). I have tried the rubber band trick but can't get enough purchase on the screw. I can't figure out any other way of removing the thing...

    Any ideas / tips?
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Post a photo,probably easier to replace the fitting.
     
  3. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    We're trying to replace but seems impossible in current situ. Picture from underneath attached - hard to see but best we can manage!
     

    Attached Files:

  4. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Just about impossible to get that screw out,can't you get to it from other side of bath,has to be a locking ring combined with overflow that can be removed.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2019
  5. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    We do have access from the other side but, similar to the picture you've posted, there's no access to the bolt etc. It's essentially a sealed unit on the back. I suspect we have to remove screw H to be able to remove handle I to be able to unscrew the front.
     
  6. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    If you get some grips on M & strap wrench on front cover, might be able to loosen screw with some force applied to M.

    If good access might be able to cut through M if it's soft metal with junior hacksaw.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2019
  7. Heat

    Heat Screwfix Select

    It is all one piece and would not come out from outside side of bath. Really needs the handle removed. The screw shouldn’t be rusted. It should be normally made of brass.
    You might have to consider cutting one side out.
    A cordless angle grinder would easily cut the overflow handle, but a delicate job not touching bath surface.
     
  8. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    I feared that might be the case. The best I'd come up with was hacksaw between I and K, though that would be a tough job.
     
  9. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Plenty of cardbord tape around the bath were outlet & in bottom of bath should protect it enough from chips & scratches
     
  10. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    Can't make out from your pic ,is the grub screw head slotted ,cross head ,or hexagonal for an Allen key ?
     
  11. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    Really hard to tell. I think from trial and error it's a large cross head.
     
  12. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Hole large enough to got a pair of long nose pilers on screw
     
  13. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    No, tried that. The screw head isn't much smaller than the hole so not possible to grip the outside
     
  14. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    If your go to replace waste, then drill out the hole to larger size for better access.
     
    darknesssam likes this.
  15. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    On most of these that I have fitted ,the grub screw sinks below the surface of the threaded hole in which it sits.
     
  16. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    Fully protect the baths surfaces ,force the chrome handle until the hole is at the top ,and drill out the grub screw ,drill held at a slight angle so the chuck is away from the bath.
     
    darknesssam likes this.
  17. terrymac

    terrymac Screwfix Select

    It would be worth getting a reverse helix drill bit to do the drilling. Your drill would be ran in reverse direction ,so the bit cuts anti clockwise ,that may well cause the grub screw to unscrew when the bit starts to bite. 3 mm diameter drill bit max.

    Also known as left handed drill bits ,and reverse spiral.
     
  18. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Should be able to get one from somewhere like Cromwell Tools,who have branches all around the UK.
     
  19. darknesssam

    darknesssam New Member

    So, update after a weekend of hard work- the reverse drill bits were of no use, they just weren't able to grip (...yes it was definitely in reverse!). I ended up going through a few drill bits in trying to drill out the screw to no avail. What worked in the end was drilling at 90° to the screw, through the side of the handle. Thanks for all your help.
     
    terrymac and KIAB like this.
  20. JessicaDarcey

    JessicaDarcey New Member

    Pardon me if I'm wrong! Better you call some best plumbing service provider to fix this issue. I'm saying this because, if you are about to try things upon suggestions, if it got set then its totally fine, but sometimes it might drag some another issue which on serious scenes will let you in trouble costing expensively!
     

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