Pipes and Wrenches | 4 Easy Steps to Dismantle a Faucet
Pipes and Wrenches | 4 Easy Steps to Dismantle a Faucet
Contents
– Precautions to take before disassembling a faucet
– Step 1: Unscrew the nuts that connect the hoses to the water supply
– Step 2: Detach the control stem from the bung
– Step 3: Remove the faucet fasteners from under the sink, basin, or tub
– Step 4: Remove the faucet
Removing a faucet is a simple operation that unsophisticated DIYers can do.
Replacing a defective faucet, changing a faucet model, or replacing a worn-out gasket: all these operations require disassembling a faucet.
To disassemble a faucet, you will need to disconnect it from its support and disconnect it from the hot and cold water supplies.
Precautions to take before disassembling a faucet
Before starting to disassemble a faucet, you must turn off the water, with the stopcock if you have one, otherwise at the water inlet of the house.
Open a faucet to relieve the pressure in your pipes, then close it when the water stops flowing.
Plug your sink to prevent small parts of the faucet from falling into the pipe.
If you need to turn the water back on before installing your new faucet, you can shut off your water supply with a drip cap. The size of this plug will be determined by the diameter of your incoming water pipes.
1. Unscrew the nuts that connect the hoses to the water supply
To release the faucet, you must loosen the fittings that connect the hoses to the hot and cold water supply lines.
Using the wrench, unscrew the nuts that connect the hoses and the water supply lines, and then remove the fiber seal.
How to shut off disconnected pipes
If you need to turn the water back on before installing your new faucet, shut off the water supply lines with a collection cap. The snap-on plug is used as follows:
– Insert the plug into the end of the water supply line until the inner ring contacts the water supply line.
– Push the tube in by turning it slightly until you hear a “click”.
– Check that the cap is secure by pulling on it. If it is secure, it will not move.
There are also screw-on collection caps.
2. Detach the control stem from the bung
To disassemble a faucet, you must also disconnect the bung control stem from the body of the faucet mechanism.
– Using a screwdriver, loosen the screw that connects the bung control stem to the ball joint. Leave the screw in the thread so that it does not get lost.
– Then, remove the bung control rod by lifting it vertically.
3. Remove the faucet fasteners from under the sink, basin, or bathtub
To remove a faucet, you must remove the fasteners that hold it to its bracket.
◦ With the wrench, unscrew the fastening nut that holds the faucet.
◦ Remove the shim (or bracket) if your installation has such a shim.
◦ Remove the gasket.
Tip: if you have to sit on the floor to access the faucet mount, consider putting a support under your knees: styrofoam plate, cushion, synthetic foam. You will be more comfortable working.
4. Remove the faucet
Since the faucet is no longer connected to the sink or the water supply system, you can remove it manually.
If necessary, clean the faucet area, where dirt and scale may have accumulated, with a cleaning agent suitable for the surface.
Check the condition of the hoses: if they are not damaged, you can use them for the new faucet you will be installing.
As a rule, you will need to put new gaskets in place of the ones you removed.
Materials for disassembling a faucet
- Adjustable wrench
- Collector plug
- Maintenance products
- Fiber seal
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