Can I remove an old kitchen faucet myself? Yes, you absolutely can remove an old kitchen faucet yourself with some basic tools and patience. This kitchen faucet replacement guide will show you the simple steps needed to successfully remove old kitchen sink faucet hardware and prepare for a new installation.
Preparation: Getting Ready to Detach Existing Kitchen Faucet
Taking out an old faucet is mostly about getting into a tight space and loosening stubborn nuts. Good preparation makes the job much easier. You need the right gear and a safe workspace before you start to detach existing kitchen faucet.
Gathering the Necessary Tools for Removing Kitchen Faucet
Having the right tools for removing kitchen faucet on hand saves a lot of time. You will be working mostly underneath the sink, which is cramped and dark.
Here is a list of the essential tools you will need:
- Basin Wrench: This is the single most important tool. It has a long handle and a swiveling jaw, perfect for reaching nuts far up behind the sink basin.
- Adjustable Wrench or Pliers: For handling larger supply line nuts.
- Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flathead): Needed if your faucet has securing screws or mounting brackets.
- Safety Glasses: To protect your eyes from falling debris or rust flakes.
- Work Light or Headlamp: It is very dark under the sink. A bright light is crucial.
- Towel or Sponge: For soaking up small spills.
- Bucket or Small Container: To catch water released when you disconnecting water supply to faucet.
- Penetrating Oil (like WD-40): Useful for loosening rusted or seized mounting nuts.
- Utility Knife: To cut through old caulk or sealant around the faucet base.
Shutting Off the Water Supply
This is the most critical safety step before you begin. You must stop the flow of water to the faucet entirely.
Locating and Closing the Shut-Off Valves
Most sinks have two small shut-off valves under the sink cabinet: one for hot water (usually on the left) and one for cold water (usually on the right).
- Find the Valves: Look directly under the sink, near the back wall.
- Turn Them Off: Turn the handles clockwise until they stop. Do not overtighten them, but make sure they are snug.
- Test the Faucet: Turn on the old faucet handles above the sink. A little water might drip out, but the flow should stop completely. If water keeps running strongly, you need to find the main shut-off valve for your house and turn that off instead.
Draining Residual Water
Even after turning off the valves, water remains trapped in the lines and the faucet body.
- Open the hot and cold handles on the faucet again.
- Let the water drain completely into the sink basin.
- Use a small cup or sponge to mop up any remaining drips in the cabinet area.
The Process to Remove Old Kitchen Sink Faucet
Now that the water is off and you are prepped, you can focus on getting the old faucet out. This often involves going from the bottom (underneath) up.
Step 1: Disconnecting Water Supply Lines
You must disconnecting water supply to faucet lines before you try to unmount it. These lines run from the shut-off valves up to the faucet base.
- Identify Lines: There will be a hot line and a cold line attached to the faucet shank or a connector beneath the sink deck.
- Use a Wrench: Place your adjustable wrench or pliers on the coupling nut connecting the supply line to the valve or the faucet connection point.
- Turn Counter-Clockwise: Turn the nut counter-clockwise to loosen it. Be ready with your bucket or rag, as a small amount of water will leak out when the connection separates.
- Separate Lines: Once all supply lines are disconnected from the faucet unit, set them aside carefully.
Step 2: Dealing with Sprayers and Accessories (If Applicable)
If you have a separate side sprayer or a pull-down sprayer hose, these must also be removed.
Removing Side Sprayers
If you have a separate sprayer next to the faucet:
- Look underneath for the hose connection leading to the sprayer body.
- Unscrew the hose connection.
- Lift the sprayer head and hose out from the hole in the sink deck.
Removing Pull-Down Hoses
For single handle faucet removal process styles with a pull-down sprayer:
- Locate the quick-connect fitting or threaded connection where the hose attaches to the main faucet body coming down through the deck.
- Disconnect this hose. Sometimes there is a weight attached to the hose; remove this weight by unscrewing or unclipping it.
- Pull the hose completely up and out of the faucet body from above the sink.
Step 3: How to Unmount Kitchen Faucet From Below
This is usually the hardest part because of limited space and possible corrosion. This step details how to unmount kitchen faucet hardware.
Locating Mounting Hardware
Look directly up at the underside of the sink deck where the faucet penetrates the surface. You will see one of these mounting systems:
- Nuts and Washers: Large nuts securing the faucet shanks.
- Mounting Bracket/Plate: A metal strap secured by one or two large nuts or screws that hold the entire assembly tight.
Loosening Stubborn Nuts
If the nuts are rusted or painted over, penetrating oil is your best friend.
- Spray the threads of the nuts liberally with penetrating oil. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This lets the oil seep into the corrosion.
- Use your basin wrench. Adjust the jaw of the wrench to grip the nut firmly.
- Apply steady, firm pressure in the counter-clockwise direction. If it starts to turn, keep going. If it is still stuck, apply more oil and try again.
Note for Replacing a Two-Handle Faucet: Older replacing a two-handle faucet systems often have separate hot and cold valve bodies secured by large nuts, which can be harder to reach than a single modern unit. Be patient with each individual nut.
Complete Removal of Mounting Hardware
Once the nuts are loose, remove them completely. If you have a mounting bracket, remove the screws or nuts holding the bracket in place. Keep these parts aside, as you might need a similar bracket for the new faucet, or you can just toss them.
Step 4: Lifting the Old Faucet Out
With all nuts, supply lines, and accessories disconnected, the faucet should now be free.
- Go back up top, above the sink.
- Grasp the faucet body firmly.
- Lift the entire assembly straight up and out of the mounting holes. If it sticks, you may need to use a putty knife or utility knife to gently break the seal of old caulk or plumber’s putty around the base.
- Pull the faucet and its attached lines clear of the sink area.
Step 5: Cleaning the Sink Deck Surface
Before installing the new fixture, you must clean the area where the old faucet sat. This ensures a watertight seal for your new installation.
- Scrape Off Old Material: Use a plastic scraper or putty knife to remove all traces of old plumber’s putty or silicone caulk. Be careful not to scratch stainless steel or porcelain surfaces.
- Clean Thoroughly: Wipe the area down with rubbing alcohol or a mild cleaner to remove grease and residue. A clean surface is key for proper sealing during plumbing a new kitchen faucet.
Dealing with Specific Faucet Types
The removal process varies slightly depending on whether you are dealing with a single handle or a multi-piece setup.
Single Handle Faucet Removal Process
The single handle faucet removal process is often simpler because it uses fewer connection points.
- Most modern single handle faucets use a single mounting shank secured by one large nut or a bracket system underneath.
- The supply lines are usually integrated or use quick-connects, making Step 1 very fast.
- The main challenge remains reaching the large mounting nut that holds the entire unit to the sink deck.
Replacing a Two-Handle Faucet Complexities
When replacing a two-handle faucet, you are often dealing with older plumbing configurations.
- You might have two separate valve bodies instead of one unified fixture.
- Each valve body has its own water supply connections and mounting nuts. This means twice the number of connections to loosen under the sink.
- Older two-handle systems might use rigid copper lines instead of flexible supply tubes, making maneuvering difficult. If you encounter rigid lines, you might need a tubing cutter if you plan to replace those lines entirely as part of the upgrade.
Troubleshooting Common Removal Issues
It is common to run into snags when attempting to remove old kitchen sink faucet. Here are solutions for frequent problems.
Seized or Rusted Mounting Nuts
When nuts refuse to budge, they are likely corroded or tightened too much decades ago.
| Problem | Solution | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Nut won’t turn. | Apply Penetrating Oil. | Spray generously and wait 30 minutes. |
| Nut turns but hose spins. | Stabilize the connection. | Use a second wrench or pliers to hold the shank or pipe steady while turning the nut. |
| Nut is completely stuck. | Use heat (carefully!). | Briefly apply heat from a small torch to the nut only (not the sink surface) to expand the metal slightly. Work quickly before it cools. |
Dealing with Leaky Kitchen Faucet Removal
If you are removing a leaky kitchen faucet removal because of a leak, you should see where the water was coming from underneath. Often, leaks occur at the supply line connections or the base gasket. When loosening these areas, expect some residual moisture. Ensure your bucket is positioned well to catch any water stored in the faucet body itself.
Working in Awkward Spaces
The area beneath the sink is notoriously cramped.
- Use a Pad: Lay down a folded towel or thin cushion to rest your back or head on while you work underneath.
- Body Positioning: Try lying on your back and sliding under the sink as far as possible. Keep your light aimed at your hands.
- Basin Wrench Trick: When using the basin wrench, ensure the jaw is perfectly seated on the nut before you try to turn. Adjust the angle of the handle so you can pull it toward you, which is often an easier motion than pushing away.
Final Checks Before Installing the New Unit
Once the old hardware is out, take a moment to prepare for the next phase: plumbing a new kitchen faucet.
- Inspect Sink Holes: Check the condition of the holes where the faucet sat. If the sink is older cast iron or composite, ensure the holes are smooth and not damaged.
- Review New Faucet Instructions: Compare the mounting system of your new faucet to the setup you just removed. Modern faucets often use simpler gaskets or quick-connect hardware instead of heavy nuts and putty.
- Clear Access: Make sure you have clear space around the plumbing lines underneath. You will need room to work when connecting the new supply lines.
Removing an old fixture is mostly a test of patience against corrosion and tight spaces. By systematically disconnecting the supply lines, loosening the mounting hardware with the right tools, and cleaning the surface thoroughly, you successfully complete the first major step in upgrading your kitchen sink.