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Disconnect and Remove Old Faucet Body — Remove Old Faucet Valves

Beginner

Part of project

Shower & Tub Faucet Replacement: A Complete DIY Guide · Step 3 of 5

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In this video

Remove the four screws holding the faucet mounting plate to the shower wall. Carefully pull the entire assembly forward to expose the hot and cold water lines behind the wall. Using your hands or channel-lock pliers, unscrew the PEX pipe fittings from the back of the old faucet body. The entire old faucet assembly can now be removed.

Goal: Remove the old faucet from the wall

  • Be gentle when pulling the faucet assembly away from the wall to avoid kinking or damaging the water lines.

Used in this video

  • Screwdriver (brand: Milwaukee, Tool Type: Power Tools, Screwdriver_Type: Phillips) — Removing the screws holding the mounting plate to the wall.
  • Channel-Lock Pliers (Tool Type: Hand Tools) · optional — Loosening the water line connections if they are too tight to undo by hand.
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FAQs

What's the absolute first thing I need to do before starting this project to avoid a plumbing disaster?

The most crucial first step is to shut off the main water supply to your house, or at least the supply to your bathroom. After that, open the existing faucets to drain any remaining water from the lines, preventing unexpected spills and making the work area safer.

The guide lists an adjustable wrench. Is this tool essential, and are there any alternatives if I don't have one?

Yes, an adjustable wrench (like the Crescent 12 in. Chrome Adjustable Wrench AC212VS) is essential for securely tightening and loosening plumbing connections without stripping nuts. While a pipe wrench can be used, an adjustable wrench offers more control. Always ensure the wrench size matches your fittings to prevent damage.

As a beginner, how long should I expect this shower and tub faucet replacement project to take?

For a beginner, expect this project to take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. This timeframe accounts for preparation, careful removal of old components, precise installation of new parts, and thorough leak testing. Rushing can lead to mistakes, so take your time and follow each step carefully.

What's the most common mistake beginners make during faucet replacement, especially regarding leaks, and how can I prevent it?

The most common mistake is not adequately sealing threaded connections, which invariably leads to leaks. Always apply plumber's tape (PTFE tape) clockwise to all male threaded pipe connections before tightening. Ensure connections are snug but avoid overtightening, which can damage plastic or brass fittings.

Transcript
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So not good. The screw is off holding this expansion plate on and there's four of them I've just put two back in. And this whole unit is going to come right forward. And this is kind of the tricky part because you don't have a lot of play. Push this forward and you can see there's a couple of 90 degree connection points right there. And I'm just taking my channel locks and I'm loosening these up again. This is why you want to make sure you got the water off. So just loosening. Alright guys so I got this off and this part is going to be reused.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.