How to Remove an Under Sink Water Filter

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Although removing an under sink water filter seems complicated, it’s actually quite straightforward. Most of the time, you won’t need to do any serious plumbing.

The right tools at hand and this guide are all you need.

We’ll teach you the process step by step, including what to do if you have a storage tank attached to your system.

So, here is our guide on how to remove an under sink water filter!

Contents

1 Guide: How to Remove an Under Sink Water Filter
2 Conclusion

TL;DR

To remove a water filter from under your kitchen sink:

Close the water supply first and release pressure from inside the filter system by turning the faucet open.
If there is a water storage tank, drain and disconnect it.
Disconnect all further plumbing connections.
Remove the water filter module.
If there is an additional dispenser, remove it.
Reset the plumbing and reattach it.
Check for leaks after re-opening the water supply.

Guide: How to Remove an Under Sink Water Filter

How to Remove an Under Sink Water Filter Thumbnail

You can remove your under sink water filter by following these steps:

Necessary Equipment

A few tools will be required to complete the task. At the very least, you will need:

An adjustable wrench and a screwdriver. A regular wrench might do if you have the right size.
You may need a bucket or two in case any leaks appear, and you have to deal with them immediately. It is impossible to predict when something will go wrong, no matter what precautions you take.
If your under sink water filter has a dedicated faucet, you will need to repair the hole it will leave behind with filling material.
A hammer may also be necessary for elements that are stuck.

Shut Off the Water Supply

First of all, start by shutting off the water supply to your under sink water filter. If your kitchen sink has its own shutoff valve, closing that one alone is enough.

Release Pressure from the Filter and Pipes

The next step is to release the pressure from your filter and the pipes/tubing connected to it. If you don’t release the pressure, you will have a bad time when you start unscrewing the system.

All you have to do is open the kitchen faucet to let the water and pressure out. Once the water flow has ceased, close the faucet. If your filter has its own faucet, open that one too.

Drain and Remove the Storage Tank (Not for All Systems)

If your under sink filter is connected to a water storage tank, make sure you drain as much water as possible. Once you’ve shut off the water supply, you can simply let the water run until the tank is close to empty.

Now you can remove the tank once the attached pipes have been disconnected. Be sure to do this before you remove the actual water filter. There are some setups where it is impossible to remove the filter before the tank is removed.

Disconnect and Remove the Under Sink Filter Module

Any remaining pipes and tubing that lead to or from the under sink water filter need to be disconnected. You’ll pretty much always have one input pipe and one output pipe to deal with, even with a more complicated filter model.

If you have an extra pipe, keep it in a handy place. You might need it when you reconnect everything.

At this point, you can remove the actual water filter module from under the sink. Ensure that everything has been properly disconnected, and carefully take out the system.

Uninstall the Extra Faucet (Not for All Systems)

If your under sink water filter comes with its own dedicated faucet, you’ll have to remove it. It may take some wriggling and more force, but be careful not to damage your countertop by being too rough.

Once the faucet has been removed, you will have to deal with the hole. It is best to fill or plug it now while the water is off because if you wait until it is flowing again, it will be much messier.

Reset the Plumbing

After removing your under sink water filter, you may need to reconnect some pipes. Take your time and ensure that everything is connected properly and tightened up.

In the case of additional pipework, it might be best to contact a professional.^[1] Pipes, while generally easy to reconnect, may be damaged if they need to be physically moved around or adjusted at an angle.

under sink water filter being installed

Open the Water Supply

Once you have reconnected the plumbing and verified that everything is working properly, it is time to reopen the water supply. You should be prepared to do emergency work if you forgot something. You should keep a bucket or two on hand just in case a leak occurs. This will prevent leaks from dripping anywhere.

Ensure there are no leaks by taking some time to check. Verify that nothing is leaking by running the water for a while. It is best to do this before you reorganize the cabinet because you don’t want to repeat the process over and over.

You should keep an eye out for leaks in the first few days after you’ve removed the water filter. You should periodically check under the sink to see if anything is dripping since a smaller leak might not show up immediately.

Conclusion

Removing an under sink water filter isn’t a complex process, but it has to be done properly. So long as you have the necessary tools at hand before you start and follow this guide step by step, you should be fine.

Also, don’t forget to check for leaks after you are done and once you’ve removed the filter every few days. Sometimes it can take a while for leaks to show up.