Are you having trouble with your kitchen faucet? Maybe you want to repair or replace it but for this first, you need to remove the kitchen faucet. Removing a kitchen faucet is not a tough task but if the faucet is old and you haven’t opened it after installation, it will be stuck and you will face difficulty to remove it.
How to remove a kitchen faucet when stuck? A stubbornly stuck faucet makes it challenging to remove it when repair or replacement of the faucet is required. If you want to know the removal process of a stuck kitchen faucet, keep reading to learn more.
Before Removing The Stuck Kitchen Faucet Do These Things
Shut off Water Supply
If the water supply is not off, it will make removing process difficult. Find the shut off valve of the water supply. You will probably find it under the sink. if there is separate valve for hot and cold water, turn off both of them.
Test the faucet by turning the handles to the on position. If no water comes out, you have successfully shut off the water supply.
Make Under Sink Cabinet Empty
To remove the faucet, you need to go under the sink cabinet. People keep things there so before starting to remove a stuck kitchen faucet, clean the under-sink cabinet area.
By cleaning the area, you will get enough space to work there. Wipe down the cabinet to remove any dust, debris, or water that may be present. This will provide a clean and organized area to work in.
Protect The Countertop
If a kitchen faucet is stuck, it won’t be removed easily. In this situation, tools may slip and create scratches or damage on the countertop.
Place a thick towel or blanket on the countertop directly beneath the faucet area. This will act as a cushioning barrier and prevent accidental scratches or dents. Alternatively, you can use a rubber or silicone mat designed for this purpose.
If you don’t have a towel or mat, you can use masking tape to create a protective layer. Carefully apply strips of masking tape around the faucet base and surrounding area to prevent any accidental damage.
Clean Corroded and Rusted Nuts and Parts
When removing a stuck kitchen faucet the biggest problem is its rusted parts and nuts. Once you clean them, you can easily remove the stuck kitchen faucet. With time, water exposure and mineral deposits build rust and corrosion on nuts and other parts.
Apply penetrating oil on the rusted nuts and parts. For this, you can use ED-40 or a similar lubricant.
After applying oil give it time to do it work. Leave it for around 30 minutes. Oil will seep into corroded parts. The oil will help loosen the rust and make it easy to remove the stuck faucet.
In some conditions, after applying penetrating oil, the nut won’t come out, here you can use heat to loosen the stuck parts. But make sure, don’t use heat on any plastic part of the faucet. The heat expands the metal and can aid in breaking the bond between the corroded parts.
How To Remove a Kitchen Faucet When Stuck?
Step 1 – Loosening The Faucet Handles
To remove a stuck kitchen faucet, you have to start by removing its handle. To remove the handle, you need either a wrench or a plier according to the screw on the handle.
There may be a decorative cap on the handle. Due to the cap, the screw won’t be visible. Remove the cap with the help of a screwdriver. Underneath the cap, you will see the screw. Use the appropriate size of wrench or plier for the screw.
Make a firm grip on the screw and apply gentle pressure to remove the nut. If the handles do not loosen easily, you may try using a penetrating lubricant, such as WD-40, to help loosen any rust or corrosion that may be causing the obstruction.
Step 2 – Detaching The Water Supply Lines
To detach the water supply lines, you need to go under the sink and find the connections of the water supply lines. The supply lines are typically made of flexible tubing or metal pipes and are connected to valves or shut-off knobs.
Generally, for the kitchen faucet, there would be 2 supply lines – one for hot and one for cold water. To remove the stuck faucet, both water lines are needed to remove. For this, you need an adjustable wrench.
Place one adjustable wrench on the valve or shut-off knob to hold it steady. Then, using another adjustable wrench, loosen the nut that connects the supply line to the faucet. Turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it. You may encounter some resistance due to tight connections or mineral deposits, so be patient and apply steady pressure.
Once the nuts are loosened, supply lines will easily come out. There may some water comes out from the connections so keep a bucket under the supply line connections to catch dripping water.
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Step 3 – Removing The Mounting Nuts
Mounting nuts secure the faucet in its place. Mounting nuts are found on the underside of the sink, near the base of the faucet. According to the faucet brand, they may be either made of plastic or metal. There may be one or more nuts to hold the faucet.
These nuts may be stuck due to rust and corrosion. Use WD-40 spray to remove rust and make them loosen. According to the size and shape of the nuts, you need tools to remove them such as a basin wrench, adjustable wrench, etc.
When you find the right tool, place the tool onto the nut and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Loosen the mounting nuts until they are completely free from the faucet. Keep the nuts in a safe place for potential future use or replacement.
Step 4 – Removing The Stuck Kitchen Faucet From The Sink
After removing the supply lines, handle, and nut, you can remove the stuck kitchen faucet from the sink. For this, carefully lift the faucet in an upward direction.
If the faucet is stuck, you may need to wiggle it slightly or use a gentle twisting motion while pulling it upward.
After removing the faucet, clean the area of the sink. You can use a mild cleaning solution or a vinegar and water mixture to clean the mounting surface of the sink.
Can I Reuse The Same Faucet After Removing It?
Yes, it is possible to reuse the same faucet after removing it. But you should check whether the faucet is in good condition and functioning properly.
You should check for any signs of damage or wear and tear on the faucet. If it is possible to replace the damaged parts, replace them instead of changing the faucet. If the faucet is too old and most of its parts are not in good condition, you should install a new faucet.
Read also – Why Pull Out Faucet Hard To Pull Out?
Final Words
Learning how to remove a stuck kitchen faucet is a valuable skill that can save you time, money, and frustration. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can confidently tackle the task and regain control over your kitchen’s water supply. From loosening the faucet handles to detaching the water supply lines and removing the mounting nuts, each step was carefully explained to help you overcome any challenges you may encounter.
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.