Rusted Mounts on a Kitchen Faucet

Rust Accumulation

• Rust accumulates underneath the kitchen sink when water leaks onto the underside of the sink. When the caulk around the sink wears out, or if it has not been applied evenly to the entire joint between the sink and the counter, water leaks underneath the sink. Leaks in the underside of the faucet, where it connects to the water supply lines, may also lead to rust accumulation. The water causes the mounts on the underside of the faucet to rust over the years. You likely will not notice the rust accumulation until you try to replace the faucet.

Penetrating Lubricant

• Once you notice that rust has accumulated on the mounts on the underside of the faucet, you must first inject penetrating lubricant into the connection between the retaining nuts and the threads on the underside of the faucet. Allowing the penetrating lubricant to soak into the threads on the faucet’s underside makes removing the retaining nuts easier, despite the rust accumulation. The worse the accumulation, the longer you need to let the lubricant soak in.

Basin Wrench

• Using a basin wrench to remove the compression nuts from the underside of the faucet makes the removal process much easier. A basin wrench has a long handle, allowing you to reach the compression nuts without reaching your arm into the space behind the sink. Since you do not need to place your arm in tight quarters, you are free to apply more pressure to the retaining nuts. With the rust accumulation, even with penetrating lubricant, you need to apply as much force as possible to the nuts to loosen them.

Cleanup After Removal

• After you remove the faucet, you may find rust accumulation under the plate portion of the faucet. You must remove the rust solution before installing a new faucet; otherwise rust will take hold on the new faucet, leading to the same problem all over again. Mix a solution that is half water and half vinegar, and apply it to the rust-affected area with a rag. Rubbing the area with a scouring pad will remove the rust buildup you softened with the water and vinegar solution. After that, simply use a rag or paper towels to wipe up the rest of the rust deposits.