Hey everyone, my kitchen faucet has completely failed and I'm ready to replace it. The problem is, I can barely fit my hand in the space under the sink, and the nut that's holding it in place is super shallow and crammed in tight with the supply pipes. I've tried using a basin wrench, but there's just not enough room to turn it. I'm getting really stressed over this – I need some solid advice on how to get this nut off! I've got some rust dissolver on it, but I doubt that'll help. Any tips would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, if it's really tight and you're replacing the faucet anyway, just cut the copper lines and give yourself some space! You can grab some PEX at the hardware store and be done in no time. If you’re feeling adventurous, a Sawzall from the top can work, too. Just drop that old faucet right down!
If you still want to try to get it off without cutting, get some pliers in there to grip it and turn it little by little. But if it won't budge, you may need to think about cutting it instead. Just be safe with your tools! If possible, try to disconnect the supply lines first to give yourself some wiggle room.
I’ve tried the pliers, but it just won't move! I think I might need to get more serious with cutting it.
I've had to take a hammer and chisel to stubborn nuts before. If you can get a Dremel in there, you could cut the nut in two places to break it free. It sounds like you have a rust issue, so you might have to resort to some destructive methods here.
Exactly! Why waste time trying to save something that's broken? I did that with a steel tub – just cut it into pieces and it was out in a flash.