Removing a Single-Lever Faucet

A single lever faucet is probably the most common faucet design in homes today. Due to its design, it is therefore the only lever that is regularly used and abused by every member of the household. Over a period of time, you may want to change it or replace it. This could be due to a number of reasons. It could be that the faucet is already leaking, or you want to upgrade to a dual faucet setup to control hot and cold water separately. In either case you will have to remove the faucet first.

Step 1: Turn off Main Water Valve

Before even starting to remove the single lever faucet, make sure you turn off the main valve of your water. If you have a gate valve isolating the pipes in that area, you have the option of just turning that off. Find the valve (either main or gate) and close it by turning it clockwise.

Step 2: Detach the Handle

Remove the handle of the single lever faucet from the main valve screw by using a flathead screwdriver. You may also use a blade for this depending on the design of your faucet. Insert the flathead or blade into the opening between the handle and the main shaft of the faucet. By doing this, you have now exposed the valve screw.

Step 3: Remove the Valve Screw

The valve screw should have a Philips screw right in the middle of it. Unscrew this by using the Philips screwdriver. Once you’ve undone the screw, pull the valve screw off. A little force may be needed to pull it off since it may have developed a little rust due to constant exposure to water.

Step 4: Undo the Faucet Screws

Use your Philips screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the plate at the rear of the single lever faucet shaft. Set these screws aside for reuse later. Once they have been removed, pry the plate off.

If it does not come off immediately, use the flathead screwdriver to pry it off. Attack it at an angle and gently put the head of the screwdriver in between the wall and the plate. Carefully pull the screwdriver towards you to create some leverage in removing the plate. It should now come off easily.

Step 5: Remove the Metal Ring

Now that the single lever faucet has its guts exposed, you will most likely see a metal ring at the end of the shaft. Remove this ring by simply twisting it counter-clockwise with the appropriate wrench.

Step 6: Remove the Faucet

Once you have removed the metal ring connected to the end of the faucet’s shaft, you can now remove it by pulling it off with a pair of pliers. Make sure that the pliers have a firm grasp on the faucet before you pull it. You may also encounter a little resistance like the other parts. This is due to the fact that the single lever faucet has been exposed to water for a long period of time and may have rusted and accumulated hard water deposits on some parts.