A kitchen faucet is an appliance that you use daily, so much so that you automatically expect it to work. When it breaks down, it can really throw a wrench in your routine, if you’ll pardon the pun. Like all appliances, it needs routine maintenance.
Perhaps there’s a leak, something’s broken, or you may need to replace a part or two. Sometimes you’ll run into the situation where you’ll need to remove the whole faucet altogether.
But don’t worry.
There’s no need to stress as removing it isn’t complicated at all!
There are many reasons to remove a faucet, whether it be to seal the base to prevent leaks or to replace the entire faucet unit, and there’s no need to hire a professional that will drain your bills! Instead, we have a DIY guide for faucet removal. Today, we will be taking a closer look at a specific brand and model: the Price Pfister single handle kitchen faucet.
Introduction to Pfister
Pfister, or Price Pfister, is an American manufacturing company that focuses on bathroom faucets, kitchen faucets, shower systems, showerheads, and other accessories and plumbing fixtures.
While most of its products are made for residential homes, Pfister also manufactures some faucets for the hospitality industry so you know that they’re a top-quality company and can be trusted.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that their products are totally foolproof and can last forever. Wear and tear can definitely take its toll on plumbing features, especially ones that you likely use on a daily basis.
So let’s get into how to remove your Pfister kitchen faucet.
What You’ll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- 3/32 wrench
- Pfister socket wrench | basin wrench
- Flashlight | headlamp
- Bucket or big tray to collect water
- Spray lubricant (optional)
- Locking pliers
Step by Step Instructions
- To prep the removal of your Price Pfister faucet, you should first empty out the sink cabinet, so you have ease of access without any obstacles. You also have the option to disconnect the P-trap as that may save you time later, but it is not necessary.
- In the beginning, you’ll need to take the precaution of turning off the water supply valve to the faucet so water will not drip or start flowing out as you do the procedure. Be sure also to relieve any pressure from the faucet as well!
- The first component you’ll need to remove is the spout with the sprayer (and the pull-down spout if your faucet comes with it). This is usually a simple twist and turn movement, which is an easy way to remove the sprayer head.
- You may now disconnect the hoses connected to the water supply lines to the handle and cartridge with an adjustable wrench. Keep in mind that there are also hoses connected to the spout and sprayer to the faucet diverter. The method may vary depending on the model and how these hoses are connected.
- Now you can start with some components where you won’t need tools. This is because most Pfister faucets come with quick-connect features, where you’ll just need to push a tab while pressing the connector, where it will release itself, and you can pull apart its components. However, you may need a locking plier as older models will have screws that you’ll need to remove, and you would need to hold the parts steady to do so.
You can start by looking for the Y-shaped connector and find the tabs to put pressure on so you can remove the parts. There is a colored ring on the Y connector’s upper side, where you’ll push to remove it from the spout.
- Next, you would need to detach the retainer nuts that bolt the mounting hardware to the sink. You can use the Pfister socket wrench or a basin wrench. This is where you may need spray lubricant as the nuts may be challenging to budge due to build-up and rust. If you decide to use it, be sure to wait a couple of minutes for the spray lubricant to settle in.
Note that depending on the faucet model and design, you may have some other tubes connected to the faucet, so you’ll need to remove those or simply cut it off with a hacksaw if you determine not to reuse them. - Finally, you should be able to lift the entirety of the faucet from the sink deck! Be sure to clean and wipe off any debris and leftover plumber putty.
Reminders for Maintenance
Removing your Pfister faucet isn’t that hard, and it shouldn’t be a heavy burden or cost for you. The guide we have presented can be applied to different kitchen faucet models but may vary depending on the types of screws and how everything is connected and bolted down.
As mentioned earlier, you can use this opportunity to clean the faucet base area for a clean re/installation and make sure to properly apply a sealant to prevent any leaks and preserve optimal and efficient performance. The main focus is that the sinks’ foundations are relatively similar, so you have just pocketed another expertise to your home maintenance abilities!