The Diverter Valve Is Stuck Inside My Kitchen Faucet
If your diverter valve is stuck inside your kitchen faucet, replacing this important part isn't possible. You'll have to find a way to remove the diverter without damaging the faucet's base. This process does not have a one-size fits all answer, but different approaches often have success. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Remove the Faucet Base
-
Gaining leverage on the diverter is easier if the faucet is not still mounted on the counter or sink. If the diverter is underneath the faucet base, as it is on some models, you must perform quite a contortion to access the diverter if the faucet is still mounted. Even on faucets where the diverter is on top of the sink, removing the faucet for a better working angle helps. One of the main problems when removing a diverter is access, so make the chore simple by giving yourself a flat surface to work on and a direct line of access to the part.
Removing the Faucet
-
Removing the faucet requires just a few quick steps and will save you time in the long run. To take the faucet off, shut the water valves under the sink, unscrew the mounting nuts with a basin wrench so you don't have to twist and reach up into the sink, then unscrew and disconnect the hoses from the water pipes. All you have to do is pull the faucet up off the sink base. The hoses will come out through the mounting holes. Now, you can easily access the diverter.
-
Clogged Diverters
-
If the diverter is clogged with built-up sediments or mineral deposits, it will not come off with just a few simple pulls and tugs. You are more likely to twist or break the flange around the diverter than you are to get the diverter out. Use a dissolving cleaner designed to fight soap scum buildup or remove lime and mineral deposits to get rid of all of that gunk around the diverter. Just spray the cleaner onto the diverter, and let it set for a few minutes before attempting removal with a pair of pliers.
More Tools and Tricks
-
When the dissolving cleaner does not work, another method is worth a try. Select two pairs of pliers, one pair of large pliers and a pair of needle-nose pliers. Use the larger pliers to hold the faucet base and the needle-nose pliers to work the diverter out. Or place the faucet in a vice, and use the pliers to wiggle the diverter free. If you have no success, you can always replace the entire faucet because too much action on your diverter will weaken the mounting hole and could cause a leak in the future.
-
