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Disconnect and Remove the Old Faucet — Disconnect the Old Faucet

Beginner

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Bathroom Faucet Installation & Replacement: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 2 of 3

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In this video

Position the basin wrench around the large plastic or metal nut that secures the faucet to the underside of the sink. Turn the wrench counter-clockwise ('lefty-loosey') to loosen and remove the nut. Once the nut is off, disconnect the flexible water supply hose from the faucet's threaded tailpiece. It's easiest to hold the faucet from above with one hand to keep it from spinning while you unscrew the hose connection from below. After the nut and hose are disconnected, lift the old faucet straight up and out of the sink.

Goal: Remove the old faucet from the sink.

  • For disconnecting the flex hose, hold the tap from above to prevent it from turning, which makes unscrewing the hose easier.

Used in this video

  • Basin Wrench — Loosening the faucet securing nut.
  • Adjustable Wrench · optional — Unscrewing the flexible supply hose connection.
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FAQs

How difficult is it for a beginner to install or replace a bathroom faucet, and how long should I expect it to take?

This project is rated as beginner-friendly, but requires careful attention to detail. For someone new to DIY, expect it to take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, including gathering your tools and cleaning up. Experienced DIYers might finish it in under an hour, but it's best to allow ample time to avoid rushing and potential mistakes.

What should I do if the shut-off valves under my sink are seized, leaking, or I can't locate them?

If your shut-off valves are problematic or missing, you'll need to turn off the main water supply to your entire house before proceeding. This is a critical safety step to prevent flooding. If the valves are seized or actively leaking, it's a good opportunity to replace them or call a plumber before installing the new faucet.

Beyond the adjustable and basin wrenches, what other essential tools or materials should I have on hand?

While the adjustable and basin wrenches are crucial, also have a bucket or small container, old towels or rags, and a flashlight handy. A utility knife or scraper can help remove old caulk or putty, and a small wire brush might be useful for cleaning the sink surface. Don't forget plumber's putty, as specified.

What are the most common reasons for leaks after installing a new faucet, and how can I prevent them?

Most leaks stem from improperly tightened supply line connections or an insufficient seal at the faucet base. Ensure all supply lines are hand-tightened first, then given an additional quarter to half turn with your wrench. Apply a consistent, generous bead of plumber's putty around the base of the new faucet to create a watertight seal and prevent water from seeping under the fixture.

Transcript
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As you can see guys up here Is the black washer and nut for the tap and this is what I mean by the base image being very tight You're going to struggle to get a spanner in there. I do apologize for the light So what we're going to do is get the base image on there like so and Undo lefty Lucy righty tighty and obviously go left Anti-clockwise, okay This will then free up the tap but first we're going to disconnect the isolation All right guys the hot water's being made safe We're okay to disconnect so what I'm going to do now is I do apologize for the light Is get my right John and turn okay See what I mean might be in very tight You just get it around the black washer just to release it Okay, there we go. That's been released Lovely, so that's that's off nicely, okay? So I'm going to do now as remove this flex and then we're going to pull the tap out and replace it Right guys when removing the flex think logically, okay? Don't struggle. We're trying to get a spanner up here to undo it Okay, it'll be a nightmare best thing to do is hold the tap with your left hand or your right hand, which everyone you are Yeah, you opposite hand and then bring your spanner in here and release it with a quick nip, okay? And then once you're holding the tap you can just undo it like that, okay? I've seen a lot of people trying struggle to try and grip threads and all sorts to try and undo them But it's quite simple you to hold the tap and undo the flex for the spanner, okay? Next we've already undone the the clip up here, so we just Literally drop that off Whilst holding the tap of course There we go guys Tap has been removed, so we're going to pop the new one in now

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