How do we loosen a brass nut from the sink strainer under the sink?

Rymea
by Rymea

The tailpiece with the dishwasher branch under our kitchen sink is brass and the brass nut is corroded and leaking. We can't get it unscrewed from the sink basket strainer. We've tried spraying the threads hoping the spray would seep down and loosen it but that was 2 days ago. Any suggestions? What do plumbers use?


  5 answers
  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Feb 01, 2020

    Hi Rymea,

    You didn't mention what spray you used, but I'd try WD-40. That's my go-to for projects like that. Can you scrape away some of the corrosion so that the WD-40 can soak into the space? Sometimes a light tap on the area will loosen some of the corrosion. If those ideas fail, here's an article with more ideas. Wishing you the best.

    https://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-corroded-brass-nut-40544.html

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 01, 2020

    Hi Rymea,

    We went through this very same problem a few months ago. I sprayed it with an equivalent to WD40 and it loosened it, but there was another part in the way that would just not let go. All the videos I watched made it look so easy, but they all had the sink upside-down and used a saw to get through the part that just would not budge. If you try a saw, be very careful to not cut a hole in the sink. It was painful, we had to hire a plumber because it was beyond our abilities and equipment. Best to you.

  • I agree with Linda here, WD-40 should do the trick. I know it sounds basic, but make sure you're untwisting the right way; it does get confusing under there sometimes. A slip joint or groove joint Channellock type plier will give you a lot more leverage as well.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 01, 2020

    Here's a video that may help you. It's not brass, but sounds like a similar problem to yours.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tfnbmnuOjI

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 13, 2021

    Hi, Use WD-40. Spay and leave and then try to release it.