DIY: How To Disconnect Kitchen Faucet Easily

Yes, you can disconnect your kitchen faucet yourself with basic tools and a little patience. This guide will show you every step needed for disconnecting water supply lines and successfully removing old kitchen faucet components, setting you up perfectly for installing new sink faucet or tackling fixing leaky kitchen faucet issues.

Prepping for Faucet Removal: What You Need

Getting ready is the most important step. Rushing leads to drips, leaks, or scrapped knuckles. Having the right gear makes the job fast and safe. This is your essential list of tools for faucet removal.

Essential Tools Checklist

Safety Gear: Safety glasses and gloves are a must. Debris falls easily under the sink.
Basin Wrench: This specialized tool is your best friend. It reaches up behind the sink to grab the nuts holding the faucet in place.
Adjustable Wrenches (Two): You need one wrench to hold the supply line nut steady and another to turn the connection nut.
Pliers: Channel-lock pliers are great for gripping larger items or stubborn connections.
Screwdrivers (Flathead and Phillips): Needed for removing handles or securing mounting plates on some models.
Bucket and Old Towels/Rags: Water will spill when you disconnect the lines. Have plenty of rags ready.
Flashlight or Headlamp: It is dark under the sink. You need good light to see the work area.
Penetrating Oil (Optional but helpful): Good for loosening rusted or stiff nuts.

Clearing the Workspace

Before you even touch a wrench, you must make room.

Empty the Cabinet: Take everything out from under the sink. This includes cleaners, sponges, and trash bins. You need space to lie down and reach.
Protect the Floor: Lay down old towels or a plastic sheet on the floor beneath the cabinet. This catches drips.
Set Up Light: Place your flashlight or headlamp so you have a clear view of the plumbing connections leading to the faucet.

Step 1: Shutting Off the Water

You cannot begin under sink plumbing disconnection until the water is off. This is non-negotiable for safety and preventing a flood.

Locating the Shut-Off Valves

Most modern sinks have dedicated shut-off valves right under the sink basin.

Look for two small knobs or handles connected to the pipes coming out of the wall or floor leading up to the faucet. One is for hot water (usually on the left), and one is for cold water (usually on the right).
Turn these handles clockwise until they stop. Do not force them if they feel stuck; use gentle pressure.

Testing the Water Shut-Off

This step confirms you did the job right.

Go above the sink.
Turn the faucet handles (hot and cold) to the “on” position.
Watch the flow. A small amount of residual water might drain out, but the flow should quickly stop. If water keeps running strongly, the valves did not work. You must then shut off the main water supply to your house and return to fixing those valves later.

Step 2: Disconnecting the Water Supply Lines

The supply lines are flexible hoses or rigid pipes that connect the shut-off valves to the bottom of the faucet. Disconnecting water supply lines requires careful wrench work.

Releasing the Lines from the Shut-Off Valve

Place your bucket directly under the connection point.
Take one adjustable wrench and hold the body of the shut-off valve steady. This prevents you from breaking the valve itself.
Take your second wrench and grip the coupling nut where the supply line meets the valve.
Turn the coupling nut counter-clockwise to loosen it. Be ready for a small amount of water to leak out.
Repeat this process for the second supply line.

Disconnecting Lines from the Faucet Tailpiece

Now you must reach up to the underside of the faucet body where the supply lines connect.

If your faucet is old, the lines might be connected directly with compression fittings.
If you are removing old kitchen faucet components, you might find flexible hoses attached to threaded shanks coming down from the faucet base.
Use your basin wrench or an appropriate standard wrench to loosen the nuts securing these lines to the faucet assembly. Hold the faucet shank steady if needed.
Once all lines are disconnected, loop them out of the way or carefully set them aside if you plan on reusing them (though usually, new lines come with a new faucet).

Tip for Stubborn Connections: If nuts are corroded, apply penetrating oil to the threads. Let it sit for 15 minutes before trying again. This helps immensely when learning how to remove stubborn faucet connections.

Step 3: Removing the Faucet Mounting Hardware

This is often the trickiest part of kitchen sink disassembly. The hardware securing the faucet from below can be hard to see and reach.

Identifying Mounting Systems

Faucets are held down by a few different methods:

Lock Nuts: Large nuts screwed onto the threaded tailpieces coming down from the faucet.
Mounting Brackets/Plates: Metal plates secured by one or two screws or bolts, common on single-hole faucets.
Lock Washers: Sometimes used with a nut to keep it tight against vibration.

Using the Basin Wrench Effectively

The basin wrench is designed for this exact moment. Its long handle and pivoting jaw allow you to grip fasteners far up under the sink basin.

Identify the main nut or set of nuts holding the entire faucet assembly tight against the sink deck.
Position the jaw of the basin wrench onto the largest nut or the mounting bracket screw.
Ensure you turn the nut counter-clockwise to loosen it. You will need to apply steady pressure. If the faucet body starts spinning while you try to loosen the nut, you need to have a helper hold the faucet still from above the sink.

If you are performing kitchen faucet replacement guide steps, note the orientation of the existing hardware. This will help you secure the new unit correctly.

Dealing with Spray Hoses or Soap Dispensers

If your old faucet includes a side sprayer or a built-in pull-down sprayer, you must deal with those hoses too.

Side Sprayer: Look for a hose connection leading to the base of the sprayer hose shank. Disconnect this line. Then, from above the sink, lift the sprayer head out of its hole.
Pull-Down Faucet: These newer faucets often have a quick-connect fitting for the spray head hose, or a large clip/nut securing the hose weight. Disconnect the hose and remove the weight. The hose will pull freely up through the faucet body once the main faucet is lifted out.

Step 4: Lifting the Old Faucet Out

Once all nuts, lines, and hoses are clear from below, you are ready to pull the old faucet up and out.

Go above the sink.
Grip the faucet base firmly.
Pull straight upward. It might feel stuck due to old putty, mineral deposits, or corrosion bonding it to the sink deck.

How to Remove Stubborn Faucet (Breaking the Seal)

If the faucet won’t budge, the seal underneath is too strong.

Use a thin putty knife or a razor blade carefully around the edge where the faucet base meets the sink.
Gently work the blade under the base to slice through the old plumber’s putty or silicone sealant. Do not scratch your sink material (stainless steel is forgiving; granite or porcelain needs care).
Once the seal is broken, the faucet should lift easily.

Step 5: Cleaning the Sink Deck

This is an essential, often skipped, step when removing old kitchen faucet assemblies, especially before replacing kitchen faucet. A clean surface ensures your new faucet seals perfectly.

Use a plastic scraper to remove large chunks of old plumber’s putty or caulk.
Wipe down the entire area with a mild cleaner and water.
For stubborn residue, a small amount of mineral spirits or Goo Gone can help soften the material, followed by a final rinse.
Ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding to installation or covering the holes temporarily.

Preparing for Installation or Repair

If you are performing kitchen faucet replacement guide steps, you are now ready to install the new unit. If you were only fixing leaky kitchen faucet issues by replacing internal parts, you may just need to reattach the components you removed.

If You Are Installing a New Faucet

The process of connecting the new faucet mirrors the removal process in reverse, but with attention to new parts.

Apply a thin bead of plumber’s putty or silicone sealant (check manufacturer instructions) around the base of the new faucet if required.
Feed the new faucet lines and mounting shafts down through the sink hole(s).
From below, slide on any provided gasket, metal washer, and then the mounting bracket.
Hand-tighten the mounting nuts. Check alignment from above. Once perfectly straight, use the basin wrench to firmly tighten the nuts. Do not overtighten, as this can crack the sink.

If You Are Repairing an Existing Faucet

If the goal was fixing leaky kitchen faucet, now is the time to replace the cartridge, O-rings, or washers that caused the leak. Reassemble those components according to the repair kit instructions. Reconnect the supply lines, making sure all connections are hand-tight, then use a wrench for a quarter-turn more.

Reconnecting Everything Safely

Whether you are installing new or reassembling old parts, the connection process is the same.

Reattaching the Water Supply Lines

This is where you must ensure a watertight seal to prevent future leaks.

Connection Point	Tightening Tip	Common Mistakes
Faucet Tailpiece to Supply Line	Hand-tighten plus one quarter-turn with a wrench.	Overtightening can damage rubber washers inside the coupling.
Supply Line to Shut-Off Valve	Hold the valve steady. Tighten the coupling nut securely.	Forgetting to hold the valve body, which strains the plumbing connection to the wall.

Reconnecting Sprayer Hoses

Ensure the spray hose weight is properly clipped back onto the hose loop if you have a pull-down model. This weight helps the head retract smoothly. Secure any quick-connect fittings firmly.

Step 6: Testing for Leaks (The Moment of Truth)

This final check confirms successful under sink plumbing disconnection and reconnection work.

Ensure the faucet handle above the sink is in the “off” position.
Slowly turn the hot water shut-off valve back on (counter-clockwise).
Watch all connections you worked on underneath. Look for immediate drips.
Slowly turn the cold water shut-off valve back on. Again, monitor all connections closely.
If everything looks dry, turn the faucet on full blast—first cold, then hot. Let the water run for a minute.
Shut the faucet off. Immediately inspect every joint again. Use a dry paper towel to wick up any moisture, making even the tiniest slow drip visible.

If you see any weeping or dripping, turn the water off right away. Gently tighten the specific leaking nut a tiny bit more, then retest. Repeat this until the area is bone dry.

Advanced Tips for Difficult Scenarios

Sometimes the job isn’t simple. Here are pointers for how to remove stubborn faucet situations beyond standard disconnection.

When the Shut-Off Valves Won’t Turn

If the valves are old and seized, forcing them risks snapping the pipe connection behind the wall.

Use Heat (Carefully): A hairdryer can sometimes help expand metal slightly, allowing movement. Do not use a torch near plastic or soft pipes!
The “Breaker Bar” Method: If a standard wrench isn’t enough, you can sometimes slide a piece of pipe (a “cheater bar”) over the wrench handle to increase leverage. Use this with extreme caution.
Last Resort: If the valve is truly stuck, you must shut off the main house water and replace the faulty shut-off valve assembly entirely before moving on to the faucet removal.

Dealing with Clogged or Rusted Mounting Nuts

If the nuts holding the faucet down are heavily rusted:

Spray liberally with penetrating oil like WD-40 or PB Blaster. Wait 30 minutes.
If the basin wrench slips, try using a sturdy socket wrench if you can get the socket onto the nut. Sometimes a different grip provides the necessary torque.
If all else fails, cutting the nuts off using a small oscillating tool with a metal-cutting blade can be effective, though this requires careful work to avoid hitting the sink bottom.

Summary of the Disconnection Process

Successfully disconnecting water supply lines and removing old kitchen faucet hardware is a manageable task if you follow these steps logically:

Gather all required tools for faucet removal.
Clear the work area and shut off the water supply.
Drain residual water from the lines.
Disconnect flexible supply lines from both the valves and the faucet base.
Use a basin wrench to loosen and remove mounting nuts or brackets.
Lift the old faucet free after breaking the putty seal.
Clean the sink deck thoroughly.

This preparation is key whether you are replacing kitchen faucet units or performing minor maintenance like fixing leaky kitchen faucet components.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I disconnect the water supply lines without shutting off the main house water?

A: You can disconnect the lines from the faucet side without turning off the main water, but you must turn off the local shut-off valves located under the sink first. If those valves don’t work, you have no choice but to shut off the main water supply to the entire house to avoid flooding when you loosen the lines.

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

A: For an experienced DIYer with good access, it might take 30 minutes. For a beginner, especially one facing older plumbing or how to remove stubborn faucet situations, the process can easily take 1 to 3 hours, mostly due to wrestling with rusted nuts and cleaning old sealant.

Q: What is plumber’s putty used for when installing a new sink faucet?

A: Plumber’s putty creates a waterproof seal between the base of the new faucet and the sink deck surface. This prevents water that splashes around the base from seeping down into the cabinet below.

Q: Do I need to replace the supply lines when replacing kitchen faucet models?

A: It is highly recommended. New faucets usually come with matching supply lines designed for that specific faucet. Even if the old lines look okay, the gaskets or compression fittings may be old or slightly damaged, making new lines a cheap insurance policy against future leaks.

Q: My basin wrench won’t fit around the mounting nut. What tool should I use instead for under sink plumbing disconnection?

A: If the space is too tight for a basin wrench, look for a specialized faucet removal tool set, sometimes called a basin wrench extension or a universal faucet tool. These often have specialized shapes designed to grip various shapes of mounting nuts often encountered during kitchen sink disassembly. If you cannot buy one, sometimes a deep socket wrench can work if you can reach it, but this is rare under a sink.