How do I remove this hot water valve?

Question

I am trying to replace the faucet and valves in my bathroom sink, but I can't figure out how to remove the old valves.

This is what the valve looks like above the sink.

This is what the valve looks like below the sink.

I can screw the red collar up and down. I can also turn the handle a quarter turn. Other than that, everything seems to be fused into one piece. When I wrench on anything, the whole assembly just spins around in the hole.

I suppose I could try to clamp the part above the sink, then turn the part below the sink with a wrench, but I'm not sure that will work, and I don't know how I can possibly get a good grip on the part above the sink anyway.

I don't mind wrecking the old valve. I could maybe take a hacksaw to it, but there must be a better way.

Any advice?

P.S. I've read several other posts on this forum about how to remove a valve, but every situation seems to be different!

Answer 1

If you're replacing the entire faucet and you don't care to save this one, simply cut the threaded brass threads above the added fitting. Whether above or below the plastic nut/washer is entirely up to you.

• Using a hacksaw would likely be a royal pain but is doable.
• An oscillating saw with a metal cutting blade should make quick work of the relatively soft brass.

As an addendum to isherwood's excellent answer, locking pliers would work as well. If you can't find any thin enough to grab the threads that are currently exposed, remove the black (plastic? foam?) washer. If you need even more space, cut off the red plastic nut. Of course, if you're cutting that nut off, you're probably in the realm of power tools, in which case, just cut the pipe...

You'll definitely want eye protection with either tool and I'd strongly recommend ear protection if you're using a power tool - you'll have your head crammed up under the vanity to see what you're doing and the sound will reverberate inside a small space. Plus, oscillating saws tend to have a rather shrill sound.

Answer 2

That style of handle is installed up from the bottom. Pop the H off the top of the handle. Remove the screw under it, and remove the handle. There might be a nut retaining the piece below the handle, or that piece itself is threaded on to the stem.

Answer 3

Plan A: Looks like someone added a fitting with an extra nipple for some other use--maybe there's a bidet nearby. Grab the upper threads with a locking pliers or similar, and then turn that fitting off with a wrench.

Plan B: Try removing the handle and looking for a nut on top, tight against the counter. Pop the little cap off with a soft tool. Loosen the Allen screw or whatever's under it.

Answer 4

It does look like there is an extra fitting that will need to be removed, and, and you certainly have some corrosion that will make it more difficult. If you are limited on space, and that's usually the case, the basic tool that you need is called a basin wrench. They are available online or at most plumbing and building supply stores.

Answer 5

I have a similar-looking faucet - although it's a part of an assembly, and the handles are removed using an Allen wrench in an access hole just below the handle a bit,on the housing right below. The hole is on the opposite side as the handle. Loosen the screw, and the handle with that housing should lift off, although if it's old it will take a lot of wiggling and force, and may break.

Once that's off, the valve itself is normally removed with a wrench or pliers.