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Remove the Old Faucet — Remove Old Faucet

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet (Spigot/Hose Bibb) · Step 2 of 6

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In this video

Go under the sink and turn off the hot and cold water supply by turning the shut-off valve handles clockwise until they stop. Place a towel underneath to catch drips. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts connecting the old supply lines to the valves. Once loosened, unscrew them by hand. Then, use channel-lock pliers to loosen the large mounting nut securing the old faucet. After it's loose, finish unscrewing it by hand and remove it along with any washers. Pull the old faucet up and out of the countertop.

Goal: Shut off water and remove the existing faucet

  • Using a mirror can make it much easier to see the connections and nuts under the sink.

Used in this video

  • Adjustable Wrench (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Wrench_Type: Adjustable_Wrench)Loosening the nuts on the water supply lines connected to the shut-off valves.
  • Channel-Lock Pliers (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Pliers_Type: Channel_Lock)Gripping and loosening the large mounting nut that holds the faucet to the countertop.
  • Mirror (Tool Type: Hand Tools) · optionalTo see the plumbing connections under the sink without having to lie on your back.
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This Old House

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FAQs

How difficult is replacing an outdoor faucet for a beginner, and how long should I expect it to take?

This project is rated as 'beginner' difficulty, making it suitable for those new to DIY plumbing. With proper preparation and the right tools, it typically takes about 4 hours. Most of the time involves careful disconnection, preparation, and leak testing.

What are the most critical safety precautions I need to take before starting this project?

The most crucial step is to shut off the main water supply to your house and drain the lines before beginning. This prevents accidental flooding. Always wear safety glasses and gloves to protect against debris, tools slipping, or contact with old pipes.

What specific tools and materials are essential for this faucet replacement, especially for a stubborn old unit?

Beyond basic tools, you'll definitely need two sturdy pipe wrenches (like the RIDGID 31305 and TradesPro 830914) to safely remove the old faucet without twisting internal pipes. Penetrating oil (Blaster PB) is critical for seized connections, and Teflon tape along with pipe thread sealant (Hercules Real-Tuff) are essential for leak-free installation.

Why is installing a 'frost-proof' faucet recommended, and are there different types or considerations for them?

Frost-proof faucets are highly recommended because they prevent water from freezing and bursting the pipe inside your wall during cold weather, saving you from costly repairs. They come in various lengths, so measure the thickness of your exterior wall to ensure you select one that extends far enough into your house for proper function and drainage.

Transcript
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All right, well, let's get to work and start installing these faucets. Okay, the first thing we're going to do is remove the faucet that we currently have. So one of the first things we want to do is turn off the hot and cold water underneath the cabinet. Then we want to quickly look up on top and see what we're dealing with in removing that faucet that we currently have. I've found that using a mirror is a lot easier that way you can quickly see what you're dealing with. Typically, the cold water is on the right and the hot water is on the left. So let's turn them off. Okay, before you loosen the screws, you probably want to put a towel on the bottom because taking these hoses off, there'll probably be a little water that'll drip. I'm just using a crest wrench to loosen up the screws. Once you've got them loose, they'll come off by hand really easy. Do the same thing for the cold water side, the right side. Okay, once we got our water lines disconnected, we can start to remove our faucet. What you'll need is a large set of channel locks. I know this is kind of a pain, but you've got to reach up in there and turn it loose. And once it's loose, you can move it by hand. Once you have removed the nut and the gasket, you'll now be able to pull the faucet out from the top. Now we can remove our faucet. Believe it or not, we're half as done. At this point, you want to stop and think about all the money you're saving doing it yourself. See, it wasn't this hard.

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