A kitchen tap that leaks, loses pressure or shows signs of age can easily be replaced without calling a professional. Removing a tap is within everyone's reach with a little method. Here is how to go about it step by step. If you plan to replace it with a pull-out spray model, see our pull-out kitchen taps. The same steps apply to removing a single-lever kitchen mixer tap.
1. Turn off the water supply
Before doing anything, you must close the water supply. Find the isolation valves under the sink and close them. If your installation has no local valves, shut the water off at the mains. Then open the tap to drain the water left in the pipes.
2. Prepare the work area
Place a bucket under the sink to catch residual water and protect the cabinet with a cloth. Get an open-ended or adjustable spanner, a screwdriver and, if needed, a head torch to see better under the sink.
3. Disconnect the hoses
The hot and cold supply hoses are screwed on under the tap. Undo them with your spanner, taking care not to damage the threads. Some hoses can be a little hard to loosen, especially if they are old.
4. Undo the tap's fixing
The tap is held under the sink by a fixing nut, often completed by a plate or washer. Use your spanner to undo it. If the space is too tight, a box spanner or a specific tap tool can be useful.
5. Remove the tap
Once the fixings are loosened and the hoses disconnected, you can gently lift the tap out from above the sink. Clean the area before fitting a new model.
To choose a replacement, our pull-out kitchen taps also include fold-down, wall-mounted and vintage models.
6. Choose a suitable new tap
If you are changing your tap, favour a model that is compatible with your sink. Discover our range of sink taps, designed to fit all standard configurations. If you want more flexibility for washing up or filling large containers, opt for a kitchen tap with pull-out spray.
7. Check the condition of the seals
While it is apart, check the O-rings and washers. If they are worn or cracked, remember to replace them to avoid leaks when fitting the new tap. If only a washer is at fault, changing the tap washer may be enough without taking everything apart.
8. Clean and maintain
Take the opportunity to clean the worktop around the sink and remove any limescale. This will make fitting the new tap easier and ensure a better seal.
9. What next?
Once the tap is removed and the area cleaned, all that is left is to fit the new model and turn the water back on. Test the installation to check there are no leaks. Fitting the new model is detailed in our guide to replacing a kitchen mixer tap.
