kitchen faucet - stupid question

[jjmegan]

how do I get the decorative cover off my kitchen faucet? The center stem is leaking every time we are hooked up to water, and I can get to it from underneath (feel like i need to hire a contortionist plumber!). Is there a way to get it off that I am just missing, or do I need to remove the sink to get under there? Thanks for any help.

[ryanw821]

myredracer wrote:
There are a number of various ways to connect PEX - sharkbite

While expensive, Sharkbite is gods gift to handy men. If I was a plumber and doing it for a living I would get a good crimper and use the cheaper crimp rings, but for fix-it and occasional work, you are money ahead just using sharkbite!

I plumbed in new washing machine hookups in my house with PEX and SharkBite, I am fully comfortable with copper and sweating pipes, but it would have taken me hours to plumb it that way, I hooked up with PEX and SharkBite in less than 15min for hot and cold runs both of 20+ feet!!

I should keep some in my TT for on the road fixes 😉

[Carb_Cleaner]

myredracer wrote:
How to connect PEX tubing

Thanks for that. Awesome 2 minute video.

[Ron3rd]

westend wrote:
A Basin wrench is a good tool to have to remove a faucet. There is a large nut that secures the faucet to the counter top. Some newer faucets have two screws that are tightened to pull the valve set down onto the countertop, like Bob has.

X2 on the basin wrench.

[westend]

A Basin wrench is a good tool to have to remove a faucet. There is a large nut that secures the faucet to the counter top. Some newer faucets have two screws that are tightened to pull the valve set down onto the countertop, like Bob has.

[myredracer]

Monaco Montclair wrote:
when they come from the after been made --factory, they put on the water linesa clamp that looks like a wed band
I put a screw clamp on all mine, cheap fix
now its all happy-camping

Actually, the PEX connects to the faucet with a swivel adapter as in the photos. Either straight through or 90 degree elbow. Easy to disconnect from the faucet - installing a new faucet will not require re-connecting the PEX.

You do NOT want to use a screw type hose clamp on PEX. That's asking for leaks. There are a number of various ways to connect PEX - sharkbite, compression, pinch clamp, copper crimp ring, expansion and press, but never screw type clamps. How to connect PEX tubing Nothing wrong with pinch clamps in an RV (if properly done at the factory) and *if* there is a weak link, it would be the plastic PEX fittings commonly used in them.

[BobsYourUncle]

I just had my kitchen faucet out yesterday for some mods I was doing.

On mine, there is a big nut underneath the counter. I had to get in there under the sink, back off 2 set screws and then rotate the big nut down about 4 inches of thread to get the whole tap set out.

Once the nut was off, the taps pulled up and out,and the cover plate lifted off.

Mine has already been converted to a residential style tap set, so it isn't the cheapo plastic deal they put in RV's.

But the procedure may be the same for yours.

And yeah, you need to be a contortionist to do it!!:E

[Monaco_Montclai]

when they come from the after been made --factory, they put on the water linesa clamp that looks like a wed band
I put a screw clamp on all mine, cheap fix
now its all happy-camping

[Dick_B]

If it's what I think it is just pry it off with the edge of a sharp knife or utility knife. It may be crusted on due to age.

[Ron3rd]

If your faucet is one of the cheap ones supplied with most RVs, you might be better off replacing it with a better one like Delta or some other major brand. I pick would help, but if it's a single handle faucet, a lot of them hold the handle on with a set screw hidden under a decorative plug. As to removing the entire faucet, it should come out like any home faucet.

[wmoses]

I agree it is not a stupid question. I just want to know what is this "decorative cover" that is the problem? The baseplate perhaps? If so then it might be a good idea to drop by a hardware store for ideas on how they are fastened. Pictures would certainly help.

[robsouth]

Got a picture? Mine has a set screw (allen type) in the back side of the handle. Turn that and the handle lifts off so washers can be replaced. This is not a stupid question.