Loosening a stuck nut should be easier. Sometimes mineral deposits accumulate and are stuck on faucets. This problem gets even worse when the corroded nut gets stuck in the faucet.
With a better understanding of how to remove the stuck faucet nut, you will handle this problem correctly. If the nut is left in this state for long, the process of removing or breaking the stuck nut might be challenging.
Table of Contents
7 Steps to Remove a Stuck Faucet Nut:
Things required:
- Wire brush
- Basin wrench
- Pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Hacksaw
- Screwdriver
- Acid-based cleaner
- Hairdryer
- Rag
- Penetrating oil
Step 1: Shutting off the water valve
No matter the kind of the faucet you have, you should start by shutting off the water valve.
Turn off the valves located beneath your sink, or you can also choose to shut off the main water supply valve.
Close the shutoff valves by turning the handles clockwise as far as it can go.
Confirm to ensure that the water is completely turned off by turning on the sink faucet valves. It will also allow your faucet to drain any water remaining in the fixture and release the pressure that has been built up in the line.
If the water still comes out, you can then opt to shut off the main water supply valve.
Step 2: Wire brush
The next technique is to brush off the corrosion from the faucet using a wire brush. Make sure you scrape off the corrosion in all the faucet joints as possible.
This will help to remove all the corrosion and make it easier to screw since the joints will be free.
Brush off any unwanted material that may hinder the free removal of the faucet.
Step 3: Heat the corroded part of the faucet
If at stage two, you cannot remove the faucet nut, you can then heat the faucet to make it easy to remove and loosen. Take the hairdryer and heat the corroded section of the faucet.
This will help in breaking down the bond that is caused by the corrosion. You can also opt to use a propane torch or heat gun if you do not have a hairdryer.
The propane torch will heat the stuck nut into higher temperatures to make it lose.
It is necessary to cover all the flammable components around with a flame-resistant fabric before starting the flame. If the nut does not loosen up, you can also use penetrating oil.
Step 4: Apply penetrating oil
Applying penetrating oil is also another option. The oil will loosen the nut making it easier to remove.
Make sure you use it correctly on all the corroded joints of the faucet to lose the grip. Apply the oil and let it be in that state for some hours to see if it breaks quickly.
Take a brush and scrub the corroded area to make it free to remove the nut. Brush off the corrosion and then soak the nut in white vinegar to dissolve anything that is remaining.
Step 5: Use acid-based cleaner
Make sure you remove all the mineral deposits before removing the stuck nut. Use a rag to apply the cleaner around the stuck nut’s exposed surface and allow it for some time to play its part.
With a wire brush, also loosen the mineral deposit and corrosion around the nut.
Wipe off the entire remaining residue with the rag. Apply the acid-based cleaner to the nut and allow it to stay in this state for about 24 hours.
After leaving it soaked, try to loosen the stuck nut with the wrench.
Step 6: Use a wrench
Using the wrench, make sure you access the section behind the sink from inside the cabinet and grip the nut that holds the valve tailpieces into the countertop or sink.
To effectively remove the stuck nut on the faucet, you will use a wrench to break the mineral deposits grip by turning it in the opposite direction.
You can also use the hammer to crack this nut. Ensure that the area around is free and does not have any valuable area.
Open the wrench jaws and insert the long pole behind your sink and hook the jaws to the nut. Ensure that they are facing the direction that you want to turn the nut to lock onto the nut.
The impact produced when striking against the nut might affect other items. So it’s essential to move them away from the place. The effect is also enough to break the nut and loosen it from the corroded threads.
Step 7: Remove the nut
After removing the tailpiece mounting nuts, pry the faucet body carefully from the sink deck above the sink. Take off the faucet nut, and if it is sealed with caulk, you can slice it through the caulk bead using a sharp utility knife.
Remove the nut smoothly, and then clean the faucet. Ensure you return everything securely as it was before.
Read our complete guide about How to Tighten a Kitchen Faucet Nut Under a Sink
Also, read our related guides:
How to Remove a Stuck Faucet Handle
How to Remove a Moen Bathroom Faucet Handle
How to Remove Bathroom Sink Faucet Handle That has No Screw
How to Remove An American Standard Shower Handle (And Fix It Again)
How To Remove Faucet Aerator That is Stuck
How to Remove Kitchen Faucet without Basin Wrench
Conclusion
Removing the stuck faucet nut is an easy and sometimes challenging task requiring proper techniques and the right tools.
As we have seen above, you need tools like a wrench or locking pliers to break and remove all the faucet’s mineral deposits and corrosion.
It is also essential to take all the preventive measures, especially when dealing with dangerous tools like the propane torch or hacksaw. Follow the steps provided, and you will remove the faucet nut that is stuck on the faucet.
