Let’s talk about how tedious it can get to call out your plumber every time your kitchen fixtures give you a hard time, especially if you need to replace an old faucet with a new one. But you need not worry as we are going to discuss some of the brands and how you can remove the single handle faucets yourself according to American standards.
When you learn how easy it gets, you might do it yourself instead of calling a plumber. The brands that we’re going to discuss here are Moen, Delta, Kohler, and Danze. The process for the removal of single handles faucets is more or less the same because its primary structure is the same for every brand.
There might be more or less a screw difference. However, quality does matter because that decides how long a product would go without requiring any maintenance.
We will now see how you can remove the single handle kitchen faucet from these respective brands.
Removal of Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
One of the gripping reasons for faucet removal is when the faucet starts to drip. Let’s discuss how to remove the single handle faucet:
- The most important first step is to “shut the water valve”. You do not want to risk getting drenched in water. You can do this easily by either switching the on/off button for the kitchen’s water supply. If you don’t have a separate switch, shut the main water supply then.
- Disconnect by using a wrench, the water supply lines to ensure the water isn’t running when you’re going to remove the faucet.
- Now, place cardboard or plywood under the kitchen sink since most of the faucet connections are under a sink.
- Now you must loosen up the nut that has the faucet held in place under the sink to remove the faucet you want to change.
- Since pliers might not be that effective, you must have a basin wrench to loosen the nut bolts.
- Now you can easily get the faucet out of the hole.
When placing a new one, reverse the process but check what kind of faucet you’re applying.
Let’s read on further what to do if you’re Moen faucet is old and stuck.
Removal of Old Moen Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
So even though much hasn’t changed in the Moen product, when a fixture does get old, it usually gets stuck and tight due to corrosion. Corrosion leads to rusting of metal bolts that lead to the nuts getting stuck in their place.
- First of all, shut the water supply, whether it is the separate one or the main water supply.
- Go about placing plywood under the sink to get an even surface to work on.
- Now apply penetration oil over the nut bolts to loosen up the bolts. Penetration oil or a lubricant can be used to ease up the nuts. Lubricants come in oil and spray form as well.
- Let it sit for 25-30 mins. Now some oils need an overnight application to work well. So buy oil that works quickly or do the oiling the night before.
- Since the oil will get rid of the corrosive material, you can use a wrench or a basin wrench to open the nuts and remove the faucet plate.
- After removing the faucet plate, you can remove the faucet easily.
When installing a new one, check for application instructions as well as the warranty and safety instructions.
Removal of Delta Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
- First and foremost, shut the water off for hot and cold supply.
- Loosen up the nuts or screws by using pliers or wrenches.
- Remove the faucet easily. Now using a wrench, remove the cap to further expose the valve.
- If the cap doesn’t have grooves over it, use a towel to get a good grip to open it.
- There is a cam and a ball that you have to remove by pulling it up.
- Now there is a seat assembly present that you can remove by using a screwdriver or a wrench.
- Replace it by using a wrench which helps you from spring losing.
- Press on it lightly to push it in.
- Now you must replace the ball and cam, then the locking cap, and then turn on the water to check for leaks. And go on to install the new faucet.
Removal of Kohler Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
Kohler is a known brand in the home appliances industry. However, for single faucets, the process is more or less the same as any other brand.
- Switching off the water supply is a crucial step. Therefore, shut off the water. Also, collect the dripping water in a different bucket placed under the handle.
- There is a plug button that you need to remove from the handle.
- Now you can lose the nut or screw that is present beneath the plug button and further remove the faucet handle.
- Bonnet can now be unscrewed by moving it with wrench counterclockwise, and valve gets exposed now.
- The faucet will be easily removed now.
Removing a Pfister Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
The most important first step is to collect the required important plumbing tools for removing a faucet, such as:
- A wrench
- 3/32 wrench
- Basin wrench
- A light source such as a flashlight
- Bucket to collect water
- Lubricant oil or spray
- Pliers
Now let’s see how to remove it.
- Empty the sink cabinet before you start working so that you can work comfortably.
- Now, as a safety precaution, you must turn off the supply of water so that the faucet doesn’t drip when you’re about to remove it. Also, remember to let the faucet drip out any remainder of the water left in it. You can place a bucket under it so that the water drips in it and your space remains clean as before.
- Now you must remove the spout, which is present with a sprayer; all you need to do is twist it and then turn it to remove the sprayer head.
- You should disconnect the water lines that are connected to the handle by using a wrench.
- Since Pfister faucets are equipped with just a tab that needs to be pushed, check for the model you wish tore move to know how to use it.
- Look for a Y-shaped connector that can put pressure on for you to remove the remaining parts. The Y connector has a ring on the upper side that you have to push to remove the spout out.
- Now you must remove the hardware nuts under the sink by using a socket wrench. You may have to lubricate the nuts if they’re screwed too tightly.
- Now you should finally be able to remove the faucet entirely and clean the remaining sink.
Danze Single Handle Kitchen Faucet Removal
After you have collected all the plumbing tools for this, removing a Danze faucet looks the same as any other single-handle faucet. Let’s see how you can do it.
- As usual, shut the water supply valves that are there for the kitchen supply. And if there aren’t any separate valves, then shut the main water line before you start working.
- Now position the handle of a Danze faucet in the counterclockwise direction till the handles for the valve touch the backstop valves.
- When you turn or reposition the faucet’s handle, the remainder of the water gets collected in the body of the faucet.
- Put a bucket under it to collect the faucet water dripping.
- You can use a wrench to remove the screws from beneath the sink.
- Now that the screws are loose, you can remove the faucet handle easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are Danze faucets of good quality?
They are a brand with a good reputation and are known for their quality as well.
Q2. How do you loosen a tight faucet handle?
If the nut or screw is cap-covered, use a screwdriver to unscrew it by turning it counterclockwise. Now you can remove the handle.
Q3. Are all handles universal?
All these faucet handles or faucets that are produced in the U.S. are interchangeable.
Q4. How do you remove a stiff cap of a Delta single-handle faucet for the kitchen?
Hold the groove with a screwdriver and twist it till the cap breaks. However, if it doesn’t break, then you have to cut in the groove deeper and deeper till it breaks.
Q5. How do you remove a stuck cap in the faucet?
Pry the cap off by inserting a knife or a screwdriver into the space and then applying a lubricant oil to remove the cap off. If it still doesn’t come off, let the lubricant sit for some time and then either try twisting it or cutting it to remove it.
The Bottom Line
We read about all the brands that have a single-handle faucet for the kitchen sink and how you would be able to remove it yourself without a plumber’s help. It isn’t that difficult to do. However, you should know which item is what and how it would be used.
You must collect thorough research on what kind of faucet would suit your kitchen based on its quality, warranty time, and even ease of maintenance. Also, one should remember follow the steps carefully as mentioned, this will avoid major damages.
Thus, we can conclude here that if you feel like changing the kitchen faucet yourself, you can do it but do remember to follow what brand you’re working on and if there are any special instructions for them.

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.