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Disconnect Supply Lines from Faucet — Disconnect the Faucet Supply Line

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Leaky Angle Stop (Shutoff Valve) Under Your Sink · Step 4 of 9

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In this video

Disconnect the supply lines from the faucet. For the supply lines with metal nuts, use a basin wrench to loosen them from the faucet. If there are plastic nuts on the faucet connections, you may need to use a special tool or, with a small cut, a piece of PVC pipe will often work. Turn the nuts counter-clockwise to loosen and remove them.

Goal: Detach Existing Supply Lines

Used in this video

  • Basin Wrench (Basin Wrench Type: Standard) · optional — Loosening the supply line nuts from the faucet.
  • PVC pipe piece (Size/Capacity: Small) · optional — To assist with loosening plastic nuts.
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FAQs

What's the single most important safety step to take before I even touch the leaky angle stop?

The most critical step is to shut off the main water supply to your home. This prevents potential flooding and ensures a safe working environment. Always confirm the water is off by testing a nearby faucet before proceeding with any work.

The project is listed as 'beginner' difficulty, but 3 hours seems long for a valve. Is it really that involved?

While replacing an angle stop is beginner-friendly, the 3-hour estimate accounts for prep work like gathering tools, draining lines, dealing with potential seized parts, and thorough leak testing. Taking your time ensures a proper, leak-free installation, so don't rush the process.

I see "Adjustable Wrench" and "Tongue and Groove Pliers" listed. Are these specific tools essential, or can I get by with a generic wrench set?

Yes, these specific tools are highly recommended. An adjustable wrench helps securely tighten the compression nut on the new valve without stripping it, while tongue and groove pliers (like Channellock) provide a strong grip for holding the valve or pipe steady. Using the correct tools prevents damage and ensures a tight, leak-free connection.

This project specifically mentions installing a "compression-style valve." Are there other types of angle stops, and why is this type recommended for a DIYer?

Yes, other types include soldered (sweat) and push-to-connect (SharkBite) valves. Compression-style valves are ideal for DIYers because they create a watertight seal by compressing a ferrule onto the pipe, requiring only basic hand tools and no specialized skills like soldering, making them relatively easy to install.

Transcript
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if yours is a rigid pipe turn the compression nut at the bottom of the pipe counterclockwise to remove the feral and the nut and your rigid pipe next disconnect the other end of the hose from the threads on the bottom of the faucet you may not be able to access these nuts with a regular wrench and you may need something called a basin wrench use the basin wrench to turn the nuts on the water supply line counterclockwise if there's plastic nuts on the connections at the faucet the basin wrench may not do a very good job at holding on to them you can buy a special tool to remove these plastic nuts if you have a piece of PVC pipe L around you can easily make your own wrench I have a video that shows how to make one of these wrenches and how to use a basin wrench I'll put a link in the box below this video to

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