How do I disconnect my sink sprayer hose?

January 15, 2018 8:30 AM

I need to replace the hose for my kitchen faucet sprayer, and for the life of me I can't figure out how to disconnect the current hose beneath the sink.

Here are a couple of photographs of the fitting. The connection with the green zip-tie looking piece is the part I need to disconnect. The faucet is Pfister brand. What should I do? I'd love to not have to call my plumber for this small job.

posted by DSime to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

Have you squeezed the green part while pulling down on the black part? It looks to me like the notches on the green plastic will stop the black part from moving unless they are squeezed. I also found this page that shows how to remove a different type of hose. In that video, they have to press down on the top of the hose attachment as they pull down on the hose to remove it. If you have the model number, you could try searching that site for more videos.
posted by soelo at 8:49 AM on January 15, 2018

Maybe squeeze the black outer ring on its two sides that are 90 degrees away from where the ring overlies the green part?
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:04 AM on January 15, 2018

Best answer: That's a quick connect fitting - each manufacturer has a slightly different design, but the basic idea is the same. You'll need to push up on the quick connect housing until it meets the gray/white plastic collet, then simultaneously pull the whole assembly down in order to disconnect the hoses. This a clear and concise video showing the steps.

In your case, the green piece is there both to show how far you'll need to push the housing up and to assist you in holding the locking mechanism together while you pull down on the housing. So, push up on the large black piece until the gap between the the black piece and the green piece closes, hold them together, then pull down (you may need to hold the top hose in place while you do this) and it should disconnect easily.

No need to call a plumber!
posted by snowleopard at 11:33 AM on January 15, 2018 [1 favorite]

I hope that you've already got this taken care of, but just in case, here's my $.02.

While Pfister does have a removing quick connector video on their website, it isn't for the one in your photo. That green and black one seems to be recent enough that no one has made videos or blog posts about having to fix their faucets.

For you, or future readers, please remember to turn off the water and make sure that your shut off valves are working before you do this. Also, have the replacement ready to go, because the faucet probably won't work without the sprayer. Depending on the model of faucet, the hose may not be replaceable independent of the whole side sprayer assembly.

(Do not be me and take the sprayer apart. That way lies madness. The old faucet is now completely non-repairable. On the other hand, do find out what kind of cartridge your faucet uses, and go read about the kinds of problems that others have with yours and similar models. Recent faucets need more maintaining than older faucets, but they're easier to install.)

Also, do your future self (or plumber) a favor while you're down there and give whatever's holding your faucet to the sink a quick look. If the nuts are metal, give them a quick little loosen and tighten, just to make sure that they aren't rusted in place. If you have some anti-seize, or something to inhibit corrosion, put a bit on there. Your future self (or plumber) will thank you.

(I am currently waiting for carbide blades for an oscillating multi-tool so that I can cut the nut off of the threaded bit of pipe that is holding my kitchen faucet to the sink. 15 years of neglect is a bit of a thing.)
posted by monopas at 6:17 PM on January 15, 2018 [1 favorite]