How do I remove an old Faucet?

No matter what type of faucet you buy, there may be a point when it needs to be replaced. The following is a step by step guide on removing an old faucet:

 

First, it is important to shut off the water in your house before removing the faucet. You can accomplish this by either turning off the main water valve, or turning off the valves immediately under the faucet you are replacing. Once the water is shut off, open the faucet and allow it to drain and release any pressure it may have.

 

Next, disconnect the water supply lines. You can do this without damaging them by disconnecting them from the faucet only. However, if you want to replace them as well, disconnect the lines from the shutoff valve. This might be a better plan, because they need to be replaced every once and a while anyway. Since you are already going through the trouble of replacing the faucet, you might as well change those at the same time. This may save you an extra trip under the sink down the road.

 

Finally, it is time to remove the faucet from the sink. If you are dealing with a bottom mount faucet, remove them from above. In this case, the handles and escutcheons must be removed first to get to the nuts that secure the faucet in place.

.

If you have a top mount faucet, they are help in place by nuts located underneath the sink, and must be removed from below. You can loosen the nuts by using waterpump pliers or a special basin wrench. A basin wrench is recommended when the area around the nut is too tight to for pliers.

 

If the sink you are dealing with contains rusted or corroded nuts, apply a penetrating oil before trying to remove them. After the faucet has been removed, clean off any scum build-up where the faucet plate or escutcheons were attached. Clean this off with a solution of half vinegar, and half water. Then, scrape it away with a razor blade or scouring pad.