Removing a faucet should be easy, right???

Question

Okay, I followed some very sage advice given by the YA team on tackling a HI job of changing out a bathroom faucet DIY. The new equipment seems easy enough to work with, however, I cannot get the old pieces out!

Regrettably, I cannot attach a diagram that I have that wwould provide a great illustration of the problem that I am having so I'll describe it best I can. There is what appears to be a sleeve on the drain pipe that houses the drain stop. This "sleeve" does not appear to be screwed on and I don't see any mechanicl separation points. I'm afraid if it were tapped on with a hammer, that may be the way for it to come off. That could be very risky to the sink bottom and the ability to tap "downward" from that installed position is nearly impossible.

Wife is giving me the look of "No Confidence." I really need to be able to save face on this and complete this task successfully without having to call a plumber. I humbly seek any and all assistance.

Answer 1

Why are you in the drain if you are changing a faucet?

So you are there for some reason.  Take the drain stop mechanism apart.   It unscrews from the side.  And maybe then all the drain sleeve thing becomes more apparent to you.   (You should always state what material you are working with ABS or brass so I get a better idea in my head of what you are describing)

  But after that point, things MIGHT need a little tap with the wooden handle of the hammer more than the head to jar the parts apart sideways so you can wiggle it upward.

  Sorry I can't be more descriptive.  I do rather than describe.

Answer 2

I know that look all too well.Keep at it,studying it.There is always a way,short of using a hammer.Good luck .

Answer 3

Sounds like you're talking about the drain, not the faucet.  The drain comes down and goes into the P trap.  Very often, they are not at all screwed into place, as there is no water pressure, so a snug slip fit is good enough.  On the other hand, if it looks like really good quality (altho old) it may be custom fitted and therefore much harder to remove.  If you can remove the end of the P trap from where it goes into the wall, you can usually just tap down on it

The actual drain screen (usually just cross shaped) inside the sink should be removable by turning, as it is screwed to the drain tube.  sometime a pair of needle nose pliers inserted can make a handle to turn the screen.

It's as difficult to advise as it is to describe, so I suggest you look for DIY websites or get a book at the library or Home Center Store.

A big part of the difficulty is that the water running through the sink for the last 10 years eats away at pretty much everything, and often making the fitted parts look like one.

Answer 4

Some drains have a nut underneath that will only unscrew a little bit just enough to push the stopper drain up then with pliers on the lip you unscrew the top of the drain the chrome ring that the actual stopper seals against then the drain tube pulls out from the bottom hope this helps

Answer 5

The entire drain and trap should be removed as far as possible (the wall). The parts should be replaced with new plastic fitting which are easy to work with. Trying to take apart old fittings is senseless.