TIL that fixing a leaky faucet can take 6 hours if you don't own a basin wrench

Was replacing a cartridge in my bathroom sink last weekend. Ended up spending almost 2 hours just trying to get the old nut off because my channel locks couldn't reach. Anyone else run into a simple job that snowballed like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_cole21d ago

ended up spending almost 2 hours just trying to get the old nut off" yep that's me with literally any project that involves water. I was changing the shower head last month and the old one was basically welded on from mineral buildup. Tried wrenches, tried soaking it in vinegar, tried talking nicely to it. Three hours later I just gave up and called a plumber who got it off in like 30 seconds with some big pipe wrench (and a lot of grunting, so at least I felt justified that it was stubborn). Sometimes you just gotta know when to tap out, you know?

the_piper21d ago

Take the cartridge to a plumbing supply house instead of a big box store next time, they usually have loaner tools for stuff like that. Saved me a whole afternoon on a kitchen faucet last year.