How to remove a stuck kitchen faucet nut
Corroded faucet nuts in tight spaces often require specialized basin wrenches and penetrating oil like WD-40 to break free when standard force fails. Additionally, differences in new faucet shaft sizes can prevent them from fitting into existing mounting holes, requiring careful pre-measurement before starting the replacement.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 15.9× more often in r/Plumbing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1using a basin wrenchDid this help you?
- 2applying PB Blaster or WD-40Did this help you?
- 3using a wire brushDid this help you?
- 4trying to unscrew the whole fixture from underneathDid this help you?
- 5digging around with a pick or pin to find a hidden grub screwDid this help you?
- 6going in from below with a basin wrenchDid this help you?
- 7Checking and tightening the aeratorDid this help you?
- 8Checking the cartridges for damageDid this help you?
- 9Applying plumbers putty around the pop-up leverDid this help you?
- 10Replacing the existing nipple with a shorter oneDid this help you?
- 11Cutting back the copper pipe and sweating a new male adapter at the correct lengthDid this help you?
- 12Hiring a skilled professional to modify the plumbing behind the wallDid this help you?
- 13Asking for tips or tools to remove the stuck cartridge.Did this help you?
- 14Watching YouTube tutorialsDid this help you?
- 15Cutting the old faucet out from the top using a reciprocating sawDid this help you?
- 16Buying a new inexpensive faucet and replacing the entire unitDid this help you?
- 17Using copper tubing, a torch with plumbing solder, and appropriate fittings to attempt a repairDid this help you?
- 18Stop using the plumbing fixture to prevent water damage behind the wall and look behind the faucet.Did this help you?
- 19Waiting for a professional plumber to come by and handle the replacement.Did this help you?
- 20Removing the garbage disposal and drain pipes temporarily to gain accessDid this help you?
- 21Using a basin wrench to do the replacement yourselfDid this help you?
- 22Hiring a plumber to perform the replacementDid this help you?
- 23Cutting into the tile grout and removing the wall panel to access internal plumbing.Did this help you?
- 24Threading the brass piece up into the faucet body and tightening the smaller brass nut with a washer to the bottom of the counter.Did this help you?
- 25Shutting off an independent shut-off valve, then cutting or unsoldering the pipeDid this help you?
- 26Calling a professional plumber to avoid risking damage to the pipe inside the wallDid this help you?
- 27Using a drop of marine epoxy to fill the notchDid this help you?
- 28Cutting a tiny piece of brass shim stock and hammering it into the notch, then filing it flushDid this help you?
- 29Replacing the entire faucet stem assemblyDid this help you?
- 30Using a faucet seat wrench to remove and replace the seatDid this help you?
- 31Keep a dry towel around the faucet or on the countertop to soak up waterDid this help you?
- 32Install a swivel aerator or angled tip aeratorDid this help you?
- 333D print a faucet extender or triangle clip to direct water flow into the basinDid this help you?
- 34Replace the faucets with models that have a longer reach over the sinkDid this help you?
- 35Using needle nose pliers or an aerator key to unscrew the hidden or recessed aerator body.Did this help you?
- 36Taking the old aerator piece to a big box store or supply house to match it against available replacements.Did this help you?
- 37Use a basin wrench or plumber's wrench to reach tight mounting nuts under the sinkDid this help you?
- 38Shut off supply valves and disconnect hot and cold water supply linesDid this help you?
- 39Pop the white clip off to disconnect sprayer feed lineDid this help you?
- 40Unscrew the brass nut, washer, and spacer from below to pull faucet outDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“When the bathrooms water faucets are not fully closed, small water droplets run backward onto the countertop instead of falling into the sink.”source ↗
“My concern is that repeated water dripping onto the countertop instead of into the sink could eventually seep into surrounding areas over time.”source ↗
“My sister is in a rental with this situation and they literally have to keep a towel around the tap or they have a flood.”source ↗
“My bathroom also has this issue though, I end up having a dry towel just to soak it up every day after washing my face. It’s annoying lol”source ↗
“Your faucet doesn’t stick out far enough to clear the sink edge. The only thing you can do is buy a better suited faucet.”source ↗
“I have a grohe basin mixer with its tail broken”source ↗
“Is it possible to replace the tail or do i have to replace the entire mixer”source ↗
“the nut is really difficult to access.”source ↗
“Also, the shaft for the new faucet is much too large to fit in the same space as the old.”source ↗
“Hi i am trying to replace this tap but it is not coming off. Dome and handle both are tightly screwed. Tried everything including force and WD40. Any tips?”source ↗
“Been trying to replace the cartridge in my old American standard (1954) sink because it’s been dripping, but I can’t seem to get it out.”source ↗
“I just bought a new house, and after using the sink for a few days, the faucet became loose. I have no idea how to tighten it, and I definitely can’t afford someone to come fix it for me haha.”source ↗
“water appears to be spewing from the hole in the center, but I'm thinking maybe the whole fixture needs to be replaced?”source ↗
“Headed to grab a new faucet now!”source ↗
“Faucet. That’s a replace it for me.”source ↗
“We cannot get the escutcheon plate flush or the faucet to be any closer than this.”source ↗
“I appreciate your responses! Now to find someone who is skilled to do this, because now I know we can stop trying!”source ↗
“I've never done this before. I need to replace a kitchen faucet. Is this too much for a novice home owner?”source ↗
“My first time living in an apartment alone, I had this issue with the faucet, any ideas how to fix or does it need a replacement, thank you.”source ↗
“Does this look like something easy to fix myself? Leak is worse with shower on and low shower pressure.”source ↗
“I sent message to the contracters but after this job ended up being more than they bargained for (don't take the job) they split and don't know of they will be coming back.”source ↗
“The pipes are going inside of the wall so I’m think that may make replacing more complicated?”source ↗
“A plumber is going to come by hopefully by the end of the week but I just wanted to get a general idea of what to expect”source ↗
“Or more specifically, could I hire a plumber to replace the faucet without having to replace the entire sink in the process?”source ↗
“The faucet is not leaking or anything, but shifting between spray and stream requires pressing incredibly hard on a button that doesn't always work, so getting something that can do that easily would be nice”source ↗
“Biggest problem was the lack of functional shutoffs.”source ↗
“Any idea how to replace this style of outdoor faucet? It leaks all around the blue knob”source ↗
“So, that brass seat is connected to a single large valve body with both the hot and cold valves and it lives behind the tile. I don't know if just the seat, or any part including the seat, can come out of it...”source ↗
“Oh this is smart thank you! I didn't realize I could take the grey part out.”source ↗
“Our kitchen tap has developed a slow leak from the handle/control part.”source ↗
“We cannot easily access any other parts without cutting into the tile grout and removing the panel of wall it’s attached to, so I’m really hoping the repair can be done from the front.”source ↗
“However, the raised metal ring had a notch in it (circled) that the rubber washer can’t seal and we think that’s where the water goes through to cause the drip.”source ↗
“This is also about 4 inches into the wall and the total hole is about 1 inch wide, so it’s pretty tough to access.”source ↗
“I don't know what the people before me did to this faucet the water flow is too high and it spreads everywhere. I think it needs an aerator? Which one do I need for this faucet?”source ↗
“youre gonna have to take it off to replace it anyway so why guess?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 8How to clean a stained and grimy dorm faucet
- 22How to identify a faucet cartridge without measurements or a brand name
- 7Can you put a 4-inch faucet on an 8-inch sink?
- 27Can you fix a cracked or broken kitchen sink yourself?
- 3Why won't a new bathtub spout fit my existing pipe?
- 2How to tighten a loose faucet on rotted particle board