In my plumber journey, one thing I noticed if someone doesn’t have enough knowledge of the plumbing work, they will make simple plumbing work worse. Kitchen faucet removal is not a big task but without proper knowledge, you make it tough.
In the kitchen faucet removal process, you may face some issues. If you know the upcoming kitchen faucet removal problems, you can prepare yourself to solve them.
In my long plumbing journey, I removed different kitchen faucets. I know what common issue you might face while removing a kitchen faucet. Through my experience, I am sharing all common problems related to kitchen sink faucet removal in this guide. So, you can make yourself aware of these problems and if you find any, you can solve them.
Common Kitchen Faucet Removal Problems and Solutions
It is a good idea to know what problems you might face when you remove a kitchen faucet. Here is the list of common problems.
Not Having Proper Tools
When you remove a kitchen faucet, you need tools. Without tools, you can’t imagine removing a faucet. The right tools are needed to make the faucet removal process easy.
I have seen people start removing the faucet with the wrong tools. With the wrong tools, you will make the removal process tough. Also, you may damage the faucet.
Here is the list of tools that are needed when you remove a kitchen faucet.
- Basin Wrench – It is a long, thin wrench. It has a curved end that is specifically designed to fit into the tight space between the faucet and the sink. It is used to remove nuts from the faucet.
- Adjustable Wrench – This wrench has an adjustable jaw. You can change its jaw size according to the nut. This wrench is also used to loosen faucet hose connections.
- Screwdriver – The screwdriver is used to remove any screw on the faucet. It may also be used to pry off any clips or retainers.
- Utility Knife or Putty Knife – This is used to cut through any old caulk or adhesive from the faucet. It can also be used to scrape away any excess debris or mineral buildup around the faucet.
- Pliers: To disconnect the water supply lines from the faucet.
Here is another list of tools. But these tools are optional. If you don’t have these tools, still you can start the kitchen faucet removal process without any issues. These optional tools make the process more smooth.
- Safety Gloves – Safety gloves protect your hands from cuts and abrasions when handling sharp objects or working with rough surfaces. They also provide grip and traction when turning slippery parts.
- Penetrating Oil – Penetrating oil is used to lubricate stuck parts and help them move freely. It can be applied to the packing nut, threads, and other moving parts to make kitchen fixture removal easier.
- Plastic Bucket – A plastic bucket is used to catch any water that may spill out during the removal process.
- Paper Towels – Paper towels are used to clean up any spills or messes made during the removal process.
- Channel-locking Pliers – If the packing nut is particularly stubborn, channel-locking pliers may be necessary to get a better grip on it.
- Hammer – In some cases, the faucet may require a bit of tapping to come loose. A hammer can be used to tap the faucet gently without damaging it.
- Flashlight: To help you see in tight spaces.
You Don’t See Any Screw on The Handle
In some conditions to remove a faucet, you need to remove its handle. But the problem comes when you don’t see any screws on the faucet handle.
Nowadays faucet manufacturers are covering the screw of the handle with a decorative cap. This cap hides the screw and gives an aesthetically pleasing appeal to the faucet. When you don’t see a screw, you get confused and can’t decide how to remove the faucet handle without any screw.
How To Remove a Hidden Screw of The Faucet Handle?
First, you need to find the cap or cover of the screw. Check the handle carefully, you will see the cap. The cap protects the screw from water damage and also decorates the handle.
To remove the cap, you need a sharp object such as a knife.
There would be a minor gap between the body of the handle and the cap. Insert a knife into the gap and pull it upward side to remove the cap.
Do it carefully, if the knife slips, it will damage the finish of the faucet body. You need to gently pull the cap.
Once the cap is removed, the screw is visible. Now you can use a screwdriver or wrench(according to the type of the screw) to remove the screw.
The Nut of the Faucet Base Is Stuck
A kitchen faucet is tightened on the countertop with the help of mounting nuts. You will find these nuts under the sink.
With time due to water and moisture, the nut is stuck in its place and won’t come out when you try to remove it. This is another kitchen faucet removal problem people face.
When you use a faucet from a trusted brand, you don’t need to remove its mounting nuts until you don’t face any issues with the faucet.
When you don’t touch the nut for years, it may stick. But don’t worry here is a quick solution to remove a stuck nut from the faucet. Before trying any solution make sure, you have turned off the water supply of the kitchen faucet.
How To Remove a Stuck Nut?
To remove a stuck nut, first, you need to make it loosen. For this, penetration oil is a good lubricant.
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You need to spray the penetration oil on the nut and wait for a few minutes. It will make the nut loosen. If oil doesn’t work, take a hammer and tap it on the nut. In some situations, tapping will work.
Another thing, you can try to make a nut loosen is using a flame. You need to heat up the nut. For this, use a heat gun, hair dryer, or propane torch to heat up the nut. Heat will expand the material and the nut will come out easily. When you heat up the nut, cover other parts of the faucet body with a non-flammable thing.
Now the nut is loosened so it will come out easily. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the nut.
Faucet Screws Are Stripped
Stripped screws on the faucet cause issues when you remove a kitchen faucet. Over time, the threads on the faucet or the screw head can wear out, causing the screw to slip and strip.
Also, at the time of the installation, if you tighten the screw too much, it can strip the threads on the faucet or the screw head, making it difficult to remove.
Using the wrong type of wrench or pliers to tighten or loosen the screw can damage the threads and cause them to strip.
How To Remove Stripped Screws of The Kitchen Faucet?
If you have a stripped screw on the kitchen faucet, it won’t be easy to remove it.
You can use a screw extractor tool to remove the stripped screw. This tool is specifically designed to remove stripped, damaged, or broken screws.
The screw extractor drills a small hole in the center of the screw. Place the screw extractor over the hole and gently tap it in with a hammer until it’s seated securely. Now Use a screwdriver or an Allen wrench to turn the screw extractor clockwise. This will create a new thread in the screw and allow you to remove it.
Rust and Corrosion Making Removal Troublefull
You are not alone who is facing rust and corrosion problems with the kitchen fixture when you try to remove it. It looks unsightly and also damages the faucet parts.
If the fixture mounting nuts are covered by rust or corrosion, it becomes difficult to remove them. Because of rust and corrosion, the faucet parts become stuck and can’t be removed easily.
How To Clean Rust and Corrosion?
The good thing is removing rust from the faucet is not as tough as you think. You need some basic things for it. Take a scrubbing pad, white vinegar, a clean cloth, and a mild abrasive cleaner.
First, spray vinegar on the rusted parts of the kitchen tap and let it sit there for a few hours. It will help to loosen up the rust and corrosion build-up.
Now take a scrubbing pad and start rubbing it over the rusted part. You should do it gently and avoid any damage to the faucet finish.
If you still see rust on the kitchen sink faucet, use a mildly abrasive cleaner on the rust.
Apply a small amount of cleaner on the faucet wait for a few minutes and then rub the scrubbing pad. Once the rust is removed, you can remove the kitchen sink faucet without any issues.
Common Mistakes People Do During Kitchen Faucet Removal
- Before starting to remove the kitchen faucet, turn off the main water supply valve to the faucet to avoid water on the kitchen floor.
- People don’t use the right tools for the removal process. With the wrong tools, the process becomes complicated and lengthy. Also, the wrong tools may damage the mounting nuts and fittings of the faucet.
- If a faucet is stuck and doesn’t come out easily, we try to apply more force on it. However excessive force may damage the faucet and the countertop.
- You should protect the sink and faucet from scratches while removing them. sometimes tools slip from hand and make scratches. Cover the sink and faucet with a tap or cloth to avoid scratches.
- Before installing a new faucet, remove debris and old parts of the faucet from the sink.
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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.