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Remove Faucet Mounting Nuts — Remove the Old Faucet

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 3 of 6

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In this video

Locate the large ring nuts that clamp the faucet body to the sink. There is typically one on each side for a two-handle faucet. Turn these nuts counter-clockwise to loosen and remove them. You can usually do this by hand, but if they are tight, a basin wrench is the ideal tool.

Goal: Unsecure the faucet from the sink

Used in this video

  • Basin Wrench (Basin Wrench Type: Standard) · optional — Loosening mounting nuts in tight spaces
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Family Handyman

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FAQs

Why is a basin wrench listed as a required tool for this project?

A basin wrench is crucial because it's specifically designed to reach and loosen the mounting nuts that secure the faucet from underneath the sink. These nuts are often in very tight, awkward spaces where a regular adjustable wrench simply cannot fit or get enough leverage.

What should I do if the old faucet's mounting nuts are corroded and won't budge?

First, try applying a penetrating oil to the corroded nuts and let it sit for 15-30 minutes to help break down the rust. If they still won't turn, you may need to use a small hacksaw or a specialized nut splitter designed for plumbing to carefully cut through the nuts. Always wear eye protection when doing this.

Is 3 hours a realistic time estimate for someone who's never replaced a faucet before?

While 3 hours is a good estimate for an experienced DIYer, beginners should budget a bit more time, perhaps 4-6 hours. This allows for unexpected challenges like stubborn old parts, cleaning time, and carefully familiarizing yourself with the new faucet's instructions without rushing.

After installing the new faucet and turning the water back on, I have a small leak under the sink. What should I check first?

The most common culprits for leaks are loose supply line connections or improperly tightened mounting nuts. Gently but firmly tighten these connections with your adjustable wrench. If the leak persists, you may need to disassemble the connection, inspect the washers/gaskets, and reassemble with plumber's tape or a fresh application of plumber's putty if applicable.

Transcript
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ready for the next step now you're gonna notice a bigger ring nut that we're also going to remove because this is the one that holds the faucet in place and always remember the ancient technique passed down generation to generation of Lefty Lucy righty tighty and remember because of the humidity the gunk and grime of time they might be stuck in there so using a plumber's tool or some pliers for the initial loosening would go a long way then you can finish them by hand and just like before it doesn't matter which one you want to remove first at the end to conquer the throne you're going to have to remove all of them and now we're ready to go back to the light stretch a little bit unwiggle

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