Easy Guide to Removing a Faucet

So you've finally decided to replace that old, troublesome faucet with a brand new one. Of course, you need to remove the existing one first. Feeling a surge of confidence, you opt to take on the challenge of doing the job yourself. Well, fear not. The task isn't as challenging as you might imagine. In fact, removing a faucet really boils down to three basic steps.

  1. Turn off the water. You can accomplish this by either switching off the main water valve, or by switching off the two valves directly beneath the old faucet. Afterwards, you'll want to open the faucet so it can drain and release any buildup of pressure.
  2. Detach the water supply lines from the faucet. If you're getting new lines, you'll need to disconnect them from the shutoff valve, as well.
  3. Disconnect the faucet from the sink. If you have a bottom-mount faucet, remove it from above. Be sure to remove the handles in order to reach the nuts that hold the faucet in place. If you're dealing with a top-mount faucet, remove this fixture from below. Use water pump pliers or a special basin wrench to remove the nuts. And, of course, clean off any visible buildup with a scouring pad so that the area is ready for the replacement.

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