How To Remove A Kitchen Faucet: Step-by-Step

If you are wondering how to remove a kitchen faucet, the process generally involves turning off the water supply, disconnecting the supply lines, unscrewing the mounting nuts underneath the sink, and lifting the old faucet out. This detailed guide will walk you through every step needed to successfully remove your old kitchen faucet, whether you are preparing to replace kitchen faucet units or fix leaky kitchen faucet issues that simple tightening cannot resolve.

Preparing for Faucet Removal

Before you start turning wrenches, good preparation saves time and prevents messes. Think of this stage as setting up your workshop. Getting ready properly is the first secret to success when you install new sink faucet later.

Necessary Tools and Materials

Having the right gear makes the job much easier. You do not want to be hunting for a tool when you are already awkwardly positioned under the sink. These are the best tools for faucet removal:

Basin Wrench: This is the most crucial tool. It has a long handle and a pivoting jaw perfect for reaching tight spots above the drainpipe.
Adjustable Wrenches or Pliers: Needed for holding fittings or turning supply line nuts.
Bucket and Old Towels: Water will spill. Have a small bucket ready to catch drips and towels to soak up spills.
Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes from falling debris or splashes.
Flashlight or Headlamp: It is dark under the sink. Good lighting is essential.
Penetrating Oil (e.g., WD-40): Helpful if you need to remove seized faucet nuts.
Utility Knife or Scraper: For removing old caulk or putty.

Safety First: Shutting Off the Water Supply

This step is vital. Never try to work on plumbing without shutting off the water first.

Locate Shutoff Valves: Look directly under the sink basin. You should see two small valves (one for hot water, one for cold water) connected to the pipes leading up to the faucet.
Turn Off the Water: Turn these valves clockwise until they stop. Do not force them too hard, but make sure they are firmly closed.
Test the Faucet: Turn on the old faucet handles above the sink. A small amount of water might drain out, but no more should flow if the valves are fully closed. This relieves pressure in the lines.
If No Local Valves: If you cannot find valves under the sink, you must shut off the main water supply to your house. This is usually near your water meter or where the main line enters your home.

Clearing the Workspace

Your goal here is maximum access.

Empty everything out from under the sink cabinet. Store cleaning supplies, garbage bags, and anything else safely out of the way.
Place your bucket directly under the supply lines and the faucet mounting area.
Lay down old towels inside the cabinet base to absorb small spills.
Position your flashlight or wear your headlamp so you can clearly see the area where the faucet mounts to the bottom of the sink.

Disconnecting the Plumbing Under Sink

The next phase involves working in a cramped space to disconnect plumbing under sink connections that hold the faucet in place. Take your time here; forcing connections can strip threads or crack pipes.

Detaching the Water Lines from Faucet

The water lines (supply lines) connect the faucet base to the shutoff valves.

Identify Lines: Determine which line is hot (usually on the left) and which is cold (usually on the right).
Use Wrenches: Hold the threaded portion of the shutoff valve steady with one adjustable wrench. Use another wrench to carefully loosen the nut connecting the faucet supply line to the valve. Turn counter-clockwise.
Handle Stubborn Nuts: If these nuts are corroded, use penetrating oil. Spray it on the connection and let it sit for ten minutes before trying again. This can help loosen mineral buildup.

If you have a pull-down sprayer, you may also need to detach water lines from faucet connections specific to the sprayer hose mechanism, often involving quick-connect clips or threaded couplers beneath the sink deck.

Dealing with Sprayer Hoses (If Applicable)

If your faucet includes a separate side sprayer or a pull-down hose, you must deal with these components next.

Side Sprayers: These usually have a small hose running down to a small threaded connection or a quick-release clip under the sink deck. Use pliers or a basin wrench extension to loosen this connection.
Pull-Down Hoses: Modern pull-down faucets have a hose running through the spout. Near the base, look for the weight mechanism attached to the hose. Remove the screw or clip holding this weight in place. Once the weight is off, you can often pull the hose entirely up through the top of the sink, clearing the path for faucet removal.

Removing Supply Lines from the Faucet Body

After disconnecting from the shutoff valves, the supply lines may still be attached directly to the underside of the faucet body.

Inspect the base of the old faucet. Some faucets have flexible supply lines integrated into the faucet body, while others use threaded connections.
If integrated, you are done with the lines once the faucet is unmounted. If they are separate connections, use your basin wrench to loosen the nuts securing these lines to the faucet shank.

Removing the Faucet Mounting Nuts

This is often the hardest part of the job. The nuts that hold the faucet base tight to the sink or countertop can be difficult to reach and sometimes severely corroded. This is where the basin wrench shines.

Locating and Accessing the Mounting Hardware

The hardware can vary greatly depending on your sink material (stainless steel, composite, porcelain) and faucet style (two-handle, single handle faucet replacement).

Under the Sink: Look directly up behind the faucet body. You will see one or more large mounting nuts, sometimes coupled with retaining plates or brackets.
Mineral Buildup: These nuts are often covered in hard water deposits, making them look like part of the sink metal.

Techniques for Removing Seized Faucet Nuts

If the nuts will not turn, you must address them directly. This involves trying to remove seized faucet nuts.

Penetrating Oil Application: Apply penetrating oil liberally to the threads. Wait at least 15 to 30 minutes. Reapply if necessary.
Basin Wrench Precision: Position the jaw of the basin wrench securely around the nut. Ensure the handle is positioned for maximum leverage downward toward the floor or forward toward you, depending on the cabinet layout.
Turning Direction: Always turn counter-clockwise to loosen. Apply steady, firm pressure. Jerking the wrench can snap the handle or strip the nut head.
Alternative Tools for Tight Spaces: If the basin wrench cannot get a good grip because of obstructions (like a garbage disposal), you might use a socket wrench with a long extension, though this is often difficult to maneuver.

Table 1: Troubleshooting Stubborn Faucet Nuts

Condition	Recommended Action	Tool Used
Nut is slightly loose but won’t spin	Clean corrosion with a wire brush	Wire brush
Nut is corroded and stuck fast	Apply penetrating oil and wait	Penetrating oil
Basin wrench slips off the nut	Try a different size socket/jaw setting	Basin wrench
Nut is completely rounded off	Use a specialized tool to grip the outside	Pipe wrench or locking pliers

Separating the Faucet from the Sink Deck

Once the nuts are removed, the faucet should lift away, but old caulk or plumber’s putty often glues it in place.

From Below: Gently wiggle the faucet body from underneath. If it moves slightly, keep wiggling while pulling up lightly.
From Above: If it is stuck tight, go above the sink. Try to gently rock the faucet handle side-to-side. Do not pull up hard yet.
Cutting the Seal: If rocking fails, you need to cut the old seal. Use a utility knife or a thin putty knife to carefully slice through the caulk or putty ring where the faucet base meets the sink surface. Be careful not to scratch your sink material.
Final Lift: Once the seal is broken, the faucet should lift straight up and out of the mounting holes.

Special Considerations: Removing Old Sink Sprayer Units

If you have an older setup where the sprayer is separate from the faucet, you need to address how to remove old sink sprayer.

The sprayer head usually pulls out of its dedicated hole on the sink deck. The hose connects beneath, much like the faucet supply lines.

Disconnect Hose: Go under the sink. Locate where the sprayer hose connects to the main faucet body connection point or a dedicated diverter valve. Loosen the retaining nut or disconnect the quick-release fitting.
Remove the Holder: The sprayer often sits in a small metal or plastic holder secured by a nut underneath the sink deck. Remove this mounting nut.
Pull Through: Once disconnected below, the sprayer head and hose can be pulled up through the hole in the sink deck.

Post-Removal Cleanup and Inspection

With the old unit gone, you have an excellent opportunity to clean and inspect the mounting area before moving on to install new sink faucet.

Scraping Away Old Sealant

Residue from plumber’s putty or silicone caulk will be left on the sink surface.

Use a plastic scraper first to remove the bulk of the material. Plastic scrapers are less likely to scratch porcelain or stainless steel.
For stubborn residue, you can use a small amount of mineral spirits or specialized sealant remover on a rag. Wipe the area clean and dry it completely.

Checking for Damage and Leaks

This is the moment to check if the reason you removed the faucet was related to a bigger issue.

Inspect the base of the sink opening for any signs of rust, cracks, or water damage to the cabinet or plywood underneath.
If you were dealing with a persistent leak, check the mounting holes for significant mineral buildup that might require sanding or cleaning to ensure a tight seal for the new faucet.

If you were simply trying to tighten loose kitchen faucet without replacement, this inspection is crucial. If you find that the old mounting hardware was compromised, replacement is necessary.

Preparing for Installation

Once the area is clean, you are ready for the next phase of plumbing work. While this guide focuses on removal, a quick checklist for what comes next ensures a smooth transition.

New Faucet Preparation

Always unpack your new faucet and read its specific instructions before starting installation. Mounting hardware varies widely.

Install Gaskets: Most modern faucets use rubber or foam gaskets instead of plumber’s putty. Make sure these are correctly seated on the new faucet base according to the manufacturer’s diagram.
Assemble Components: If the spout or handles need to be attached to the main body before setting it into the sink hole, do that now while you have easy access.

Final Checks

Before tightening anything down, ensure all supply lines, hoses, and connections that need to pass through the hole are correctly oriented and ready to go through the sink opening. This pre-assembly prevents having to remove the faucet again because a hose got twisted underneath.

Summary of Key Steps

Removing a faucet can feel daunting, but breaking it down into these phases makes it manageable:

Preparation: Gather tools, turn off water, and clear the area.
Disconnecting Lines: Turn off water valves, drain lines, and disconnect supply lines.
Unmounting: Use a basin wrench to loosen and remove seized faucet nuts holding the faucet base.
Separation: Cut the old caulk seal and lift the old faucet unit out.
Cleanup: Scrape off old putty and inspect the sink surface.

This systematic approach will ensure you can successfully remove any standard kitchen faucet, setting the stage perfectly to install new sink faucet hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does it usually take to remove a kitchen faucet?

A: For an experienced DIYer, removing a standard faucet can take 30 minutes to an hour. If the faucet is very old, heavily corroded, or difficult to access, it might take two hours or more, especially when you must remove seized faucet nuts.

Q: Can I remove my kitchen faucet without a basin wrench?

A: It is extremely difficult. A basin wrench is specifically designed for the tight space and orientation needed to reach the mounting nuts. While some people manage with long extensions on socket wrenches or specialized plumbing pliers, a basin wrench is highly recommended to prevent unnecessary strain or damage.

Q: My faucet is leaking severely. Can I just remove it to fix leaky kitchen faucet issues?

A: If the leak is coming from the base where the faucet meets the sink, or if the internal cartridge is failing, removal is often the first step to repair or replacement. However, if the leak is clearly coming from the supply line connections at the shutoff valve, you might only need to tighten or replace the supply line hose itself without removing the main faucet body.

Q: What if I cannot find the shutoff valves under the sink?

A: If the shutoff valves are missing or broken, you must locate the main water shutoff for your entire house. If you cannot find that either, call a professional plumber, as turning off the water supply is mandatory before attempting to disconnect plumbing under sink connections.

Q: Is it necessary to remove the sink sprayer separately?

A: Yes. If you have a separate side sprayer, you must disconnect its hose and mounting hardware before you can fully lift the main faucet body out, as the sprayer hose often shares the space underneath the sink deck.

Q: How do I prepare the area if I am doing a single handle faucet replacement?

A: The preparation is the same for any faucet type. The primary difference will be the mounting hardware structure you encounter—a single handle faucet often uses one large mounting nut or bracket rather than two separate ones for hot and cold handles.