How To Remove a Kitchen Faucet WIthout Damaging Your Sink

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The most challenging part of replacing a kitchen faucet is removing your old one without damaging anything. Unexpected issues like hard-to-reach nuts, limited access to fittings, and corroded pipes always pop up, oftentimes leading to scratches, chips, and other such damages. Otherwise, installing a brand-new kitchen faucet is incredibly easy.

Keep reading to find out how to remove a kitchen faucet without damaging your sink!

What’s In This Guide

This guide explains a tried-and-tested 4-step method to remove a kitchen faucet without damaging your sink. We also provide you with a list of supplies and tools you’ll need.

Lastly, we answer some frequently asked questions about removing a kitchen faucet. Hopefully, this guide will answer all of your questions. But in case it doesn’t, feel free to leave us a comment below!


The Process

Removing a kitchen faucet is fairly easy and only takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re performing this task for the first time, you can just follow the steps below:

  1. Turn off the water
  2. Disconnect the supply lines
  3. Remove mounting screws or nuts
  4. Remove the kitchen faucet

Get Prepared: What You’ll Need  

You need the following tools to remove a kitchen faucet:

  • Basin wrench
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • Utility knife or Putty knife
  • Penetrating oil

Step 1: Turn off the Water

How To Remove Kitchen Faucet

Whether you’re replacing your leaky kitchen faucet or installing a more modern one, it’s essential to turn off the water supply valvefirst. This will make it easier to remove the faucet and will make less of a mess.

Look for the shut-off valves under the sink and firmly turn them onto the “off” position. If you cannot find any valves underneath the sink, turn off your main home water supply. The main shut-off valve is usually in a garage or basement.

Once you turn off the water, open your kitchen faucet all the way. This will release any water that’s still in the lines. If you own a kitchen faucet sprayer, make sure you drain that completely as well.

If your shut-off valves are difficult to turn, try applying a penetrating oil and letting it soak in before trying again.


Step 2: Disconnect the Supply Lines

Supply lines are located underneath your kitchen sink, right under the faucet. Both single- and double-handle faucets have two water supply lines: cold water and hot water.

Before you disconnect the supply lines, make sure you block the drain with a cloth. It’s also advisable to place a bucket underneath the sink to prevent any dripping water from pooling in the sink cabinet.

Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts or screws that connect the supply lines to your sink. Keep turning the nuts until you free both water supply lines.

You can also place towels on the edge of the kitchen sink cabinet, so you won’t hurt your back when you lay down to work.  


Step 3: Remove Mounting Screws or Nuts

How To Remove Kitchen Faucet

Once you disconnect the supply lines, detach the faucet from the kitchen sink, wall, or countertop. Since faucets experience friction from running water, they’re firmly secured with locking nuts or screws to the sink.

Locate the nut and use a basin wrench to unscrew it. If you’ve been using your old faucet for a long time, you’ll experience difficulty in removing this nut.

If you’re unable to loosen it after several attempts, apply penetrating oil on it and wait for 15 minutes. Then, use a basin wrench to turn it counter-clockwise and try to loosen it.


Step 4: Remove the Faucet

How To Remove Kitchen Faucet

Once you remove all the nuts and screws connecting the sink to the faucet, you can remove it. Make sure you perform this step carefully to avoid chipping or cracking the countertop or sink.

Gently pull the faucet straight out. If it gets stuck, use a plastic putty knife to work it loose. You can also use the edge of the knife to remove any old caulk or plumbers putty from the sink’s surface after removal.

You might also need to disassemble the faucet before removing it.

For instance, if you have a single-handle faucet, you might need to unscrew and disconnect the handle from the main water supply valve. Remember to always check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific faucet removal instructions.


Frequently-Asked Questions About Removing a Kitchen Faucet

Can you remove a kitchen faucet without a basin wrench?

How To Remove Kitchen Faucet

Yes, you can remove a kitchen faucet without a basin wrench. You can use water plum pliers to disconnect the faucet from the water supply line. While other improvised tools may also work, it’s better to use water pump pliers, as they help prevent damage to the sink.

You just need to gently fasten the pliers to the water supply line and carefully pull off each line to remove the faucet.

How do you loosen a tight plastic nut?

If your plastic nut doesn’t budge, you can loosen it by heating it up with a hairdryer. The heat will soften the plastic and make it loose enough for you to turn. You can also spray a bit of calcium dissolver and wait a few minutes before twisting or tapping the nit.

Can you remove a rusted nut without using heat?

You can use hydrogen peroxide to dissolve the rust present on a nut. By applying the chemical onto the fasteners, you’ll be able to easily and quickly loosen rusty nuts and bolts. You can also scrub the nuts and bolts with a hard-bristled brush to remove all the rust collected on them and make them more mobile and easy to fasten and unfasten.

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