Easy Guide: How To Disassemble Kitchen Faucet

Can I disassemble my kitchen faucet myself? Yes, you absolutely can disassemble your kitchen faucet yourself with the right tools and these clear steps. This faucet repair guide will walk you through the process, whether you are facing a drip, a leak, or just need to replace a part. Kitchen sink faucet removal often seems hard, but it is not. Many common fixes, like a cartridge replacement faucet, need you to take some parts off first. This guide focuses on making taking apart a leaky faucet simple and safe.

Getting Ready for Faucet Dismantling

Before you start, safety is key. Turning off the water stops big messes. You need the right tools gathered together. Prepare a clean, safe workspace.

Essential Tools for the Job

Gathering your tools first saves a lot of time later. You might not use every single item, but having them nearby is smart.

Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Pliers (needle-nose and regular)
Hex keys (Allen wrenches) – these are common for handles
Utility knife or putty knife (for prying caps)
White vinegar or lime remover
Old towels or a small bucket
Flashlight or headlamp
Safety glasses

Step 1: Shutting Off the Water Supply

This is the most important step in kitchen faucet disassembly instructions. If you skip this, you will have a flood!

Look under your sink cabinet. You will see two small valves coming out of the wall or floor. These control the hot and cold water lines going up to the faucet.
Turn both valves clockwise until they stop. This shuts off the water flow.
Go back above the sink. Turn the faucet handles on (both hot and cold). Let the remaining water drain out completely. This relieves any pressure in the lines.
Place a towel or a small bowl under the pipes under the sink. This catches any drips that might happen later.

Step 2: Protecting Your Work Area

Protecting the sink basin is crucial, especially if it is porcelain or a nice finish.

Place a thick towel inside the sink basin. This prevents scratches from dropped tools.
If you are doing a full kitchen tap dismantling, cover the drain opening with a rag. This stops small screws from falling down the pipe forever.

Disassembling Single Handle Faucets

Most modern kitchens use a single-handle design. Disassembling single handle faucet models often centers around removing the handle screw or set screw.

Step 3: Removing the Faucet Handle

This step varies slightly based on the faucet brand (Moen, Delta, Kohler, etc.). You are looking for a small screw hidden under a decorative cap or on the side/back of the handle base.

Locating the Set Screw

Check for a Decorative Cap: Many handles have a small plastic cap (often red/blue for hot/cold indicators) right on top. Gently pry this cap off using a small, thin flathead screwdriver or a utility knife. Be careful not to scratch the handle finish.
Access the Screw: Once the cap is off, you will usually see a Phillips head screw. Unscrew it fully and set the screw aside safely.
Using Hex/Allen Keys: Some modern faucets hide the set screw on the side or back of the handle base. Look for a tiny hole. Insert the correct size hex key (Allen wrench) into the hole. Turn the key counter-clockwise to loosen the screw.
Lifting the Handle: Once the screw is loose or removed, the handle should lift straight up and off the faucet body. If it is stuck due to mineral buildup, wiggle it gently while pulling up. Do not force it violently.

Step 4: Exposing the Cartridge or Stem

With the handle gone, you expose the part that controls water flow—usually a dome cap or a retaining nut holding the valve assembly faucet in place.

Remove the Cap/Dome: Look for a large decorative cap or dome covering the main mechanism. This often unscrews by hand. If it is tight, use a wide rubber strap wrench or a cloth wrapped around it before using pliers to avoid scratching.
Accessing the Retaining Nut (Bonnet Nut): Under the dome, you will see a brass or plastic nut holding the cartridge down. This is the bonnet nut.
Loosing the Bonnet Nut: Use your adjustable wrench or channel locks to turn this nut counter-clockwise. Apply firm, steady pressure. This part can be very tight. Keep the towel nearby for any slight water seepage.

Step 5: Removing the Cartridge

The cartridge is the heart of the faucet, controlling temperature and flow. Cartridge replacement faucet jobs rely heavily on removing this piece correctly.

Once the bonnet nut is off, the cartridge should lift straight up.
Note the orientation of the cartridge before you pull it out! Cartridges have specific notches or tabs that must line up exactly with slots in the faucet body. Take a picture with your phone.
If the cartridge is stuck, some manufacturers (like Moen) sell special cartridge puller tools. If you don’t have one, very gently wiggle the cartridge while pulling upward. Avoid bending any plastic tabs.

Disassembling Two-Handle Faucets

Two-handle faucets (separate hot and cold controls) require removing kitchen faucet handles separately, but the general concept is the same. You will be dealing with two separate valve stems or cartridges.

Step 6: Removing Two-Handle Faucets Handles

Locate the Screw: Similar to single-handle units, look for a decorative cap on top of each handle. Pry it off.
Unscrew the Handle: Remove the screw holding the handle onto the stem. Lift the handle off.
Dealing with Spindle/Stem Caps: Underneath the handle, you will see the valve stem assembly sticking up. This is often held down by a packing nut or a bonnet nut. Use your adjustable wrench to turn this nut counter-clockwise.

Step 7: Accessing the Valve Stem or Cartridge

In older two-handle systems, you might have compression stems rather than modern cartridges.

Compression Stems: These use rubber washers. Pull the stem straight out once the nut is removed.
Cartridge Stems: These operate much like the single-handle cartridge—remove the retaining nut and lift the assembly out, paying close attention to its alignment.

Faucet Spout Removal

If your leak is at the base of the spout or you need to replace the entire faucet, you will need faucet spout removal.

Step 8: Taking Off the Spout

The method for faucet spout removal depends on whether the spout swivels or is fixed.

For Swivel Spouts:

Ensure the cartridge/valve assembly is removed first, as it often secures the spout.
Look at the base of the spout where it meets the faucet body. There might be a small retaining screw or set screw visible on the back or side of the base plate (escutcheon). Loosen or remove this screw.
Grasp the spout firmly and lift it straight up. It might be stiff due to grime buildup around the O-rings inside the spout base.
Once removed, you will see the O-rings sitting in grooves on the spout base. These are the usual culprits for leaks at the base. Replace these O-rings for a perfect seal. Lubricate new O-rings with plumber’s silicone grease before reassembly.

For Non-Swivel (Fixed) Spouts:

These are usually held on by the main mounting hardware underneath the sink, making them part of the full kitchen sink faucet removal process, rather than just a simple repair.

Working Under the Sink: Mounting Hardware

For a full breakdown or replacement, you must address the hardware holding the entire faucet base to the countertop or sink deck. This is often the hardest part of kitchen tap dismantling.

Step 9: Disconnecting Water Lines

Using your adjustable wrench, loosen the coupling nuts that connect the flexible supply lines (the ones coming from the wall valves) to the faucet tails (the tubes coming down from the faucet body).
Have your bucket or towels ready. Even with the water off, residual water will drip out.
Disconnect the sprayer hose, if applicable. This often involves unscrewing a connector or releasing a quick-connect clip.

Step 10: Removing the Mounting Nuts

This requires getting comfortable in the cramped space beneath the sink. A basin wrench is invaluable here.

Locate the large mounting nuts or bracket securing the faucet base to the underside of the sink. They might be large brass nuts or a mounting plate held by screws.
Use the basin wrench to grip these nuts. Turn them counter-clockwise until they are completely loose. If the space is very tight, you might need a small socket wrench instead.
Once all nuts and washers are removed, go back above the sink. The entire faucet assembly should now lift freely up and out of the sink holes.

Reassembly: Putting It Back Together

Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly, but take extra care with tightening—too tight can crack plastic parts; too loose causes leaks.

Step 11: Installing New Components (If Necessary)

If you were taking apart a leaky faucet to fix a specific issue:

Cartridge Replacement: Insert the new cartridge, ensuring the alignment tabs match the grooves in the faucet body exactly. Secure it with the bonnet nut. Hand-tighten first, then snug it slightly with a wrench (be gentle!).
O-Rings: If you removed the spout, slide the new, greased O-rings onto the spout base before sliding the spout back into the faucet body.

Step 12: Final Assembly Checks

Reinstall the handle screws. Do not overtighten the set screw on the handle; it only needs to be snug enough that the handle doesn’t spin freely.
Ensure all decorative caps are clicked back into place.
Double-check that the mounting hardware underneath the sink is tight.

Step 13: Testing the Faucet

Slowly turn the hot and cold water supply valves back on (turn them counter-clockwise).
Watch the connections under the sink carefully for immediate leaks. If you see dripping, shut the water off immediately and gently tighten that connection a bit more.
Once the water is flowing to the faucet, test the operation. Turn the faucet on and off several times, testing both hot and cold sides. Check for drips from the spout and leaks around the handle base.

This completes the faucet repair guide process. If leaks persist after a cartridge or O-ring replacement, the faucet body itself might be damaged, requiring a full replacement rather than just kitchen faucet disassembly instructions.

Deciphering Faucet Types for Easier Dismantling

Different faucet styles require slightly different approaches during disassembling single handle faucet or dual-handle units. Knowing your faucet type helps immensely.

Compression Faucets (Older Style)

These rely on rubber washers pressed against a valve seat. They usually have two handles.

Key Component: Washer and stem.
What to Look For: The stem unscrews completely from the valve assembly faucet body.

Ball Faucets (Common in older single-handle units)

These use a rotating metal or plastic ball with slots to control flow. They often leak more often than cartridge types.

Key Component: Ball assembly and springs/seats.
What to Look For: After removing the handle, you remove a cap and a collar. The ball can then be lifted out. This assembly involves several small springs and seals which are easy to lose during taking apart a leaky faucet.

Disc Faucets (Newer single-handle)

These use two ceramic discs that slide against each other to control water. They are very reliable.

Key Component: Ceramic disc cartridge.
What to Look For: Similar to other cartridge faucets, you remove the handle and a retaining nut to pull the entire sealed disc cartridge out.

Cartridge Faucets (Most Common Today)

These use a movable stem or cylinder (the cartridge) to regulate water. This is the easiest type for DIY cartridge replacement faucet service.

Key Component: The plastic or brass cartridge.
What to Look For: The entire cartridge lifts out once the retaining clip or nut is removed.

Faucet Type	Common Handle Count	Main Part to Replace	Difficulty for DIY
Compression	Two	Washer/Stem	Medium
Ball	One	Ball/Springs/Seats	Harder (many small parts)
Disc	One	Ceramic Cartridge	Easy/Medium
Cartridge	One or Two	Cartridge Unit	Easy

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Disassembly

Sometimes, the process hits snags. Here’s how to handle sticking parts during your kitchen tap dismantling.

Stuck Handle Screws

If the set screw seems rusted in place:

Apply a small amount of penetrating oil (like WD-40) around the screw head. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
If it is a slotted screw, make sure your screwdriver fits perfectly. Press down hard while turning slowly. If you strip the head, you might need a screw extractor kit.

Frozen Bonnet Nut

The large nut securing the valve assembly faucet is often cemented by mineral deposits.

Heat can help, but use caution near plastic parts. Briefly use a hairdryer on high heat directed at the nut for a minute. This expansion/contraction can break the mineral seal.
Use a strap wrench wrapped around the nut for better grip without denting the metal finish.

Stuck Spout Base

If the faucet spout removal is difficult due to corrosion:

Gently tap the base of the spout with the rubber handle of a screwdriver. Tapping can often jar the O-rings loose from the metal housing.
Rock the spout slightly side-to-side as you pull up slowly. Never twist aggressively, as this can damage the internal seals permanently.

Final Steps for Successful Kitchen Sink Faucet Removal

When you have finished your repair and are ready to put everything back, review these final tips.

Lubrication is Your Friend

Use plumber’s silicone grease on all moving parts and seals before reassembly. This applies to O-rings in the spout, the exterior of the new cartridge, and threads on bonnet nuts. Lubrication prevents future seizing and makes the next faucet repair guide job much easier.

Mind the Torque

When tightening nuts, especially plastic ones found in newer faucets, remember that “snug” means just enough resistance to stop water flow or stop movement. Over-tightening cracks the housing or deforms the seal, leading to immediate leaks.

By following these detailed steps for kitchen faucet disassembly instructions, you can successfully handle most common repairs, saving time and money compared to calling a plumber for simple fixes like taking apart a leaky faucet for a washer change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Faucet Disassembly

Q: Do I need to turn off the main water supply to the house?

A: Usually, no. You only need to shut off the two small shut-off valves located directly under your kitchen sink for the hot and cold water lines leading to the faucet.

Q: How do I know what size hex key I need for removing kitchen faucet handles?

A: It is best to have a set of metric and standard hex keys. They range typically from 1/16 inch up to 1/4 inch for standard residential faucets. If unsure, try the smallest common sizes first until you find one that fits snugly into the set screw hole.

Q: My faucet handle is corroded stuck. What can I do to remove it without breaking it?

A: First, try penetrating oil. If that fails, apply gentle heat with a hairdryer to the metal base surrounding the screw. Then, try tapping the handle sideways firmly with a rubber mallet or the handle of a heavy screwdriver. This vibration can break the corrosion bond.

Q: What is the function of the valve assembly faucet cartridge?

A: The cartridge is the internal mechanism that mixes the hot and cold water and controls the volume of water flowing out of the spout. Replacing it is the solution for many types of leaks associated with cartridge replacement faucet repairs.

Q: Is it possible to do faucet spout removal without taking the whole faucet out from under the sink?

A: Yes, for most modern swivel spouts. If the spout swivels, it is usually held by a set screw at the base or is secured by the main retaining nut that also holds the cartridge in place. You only need to remove the faucet from the sink deck if the spout is fixed or if the leak is coming from the mounting hardware itself.