Does replacing kitchen tap mean removing sink?

Hi,
Have you managed to get the taps off yet? You need ideally a proper tap spanner with a right angle head. This generally has a tommy bar which goes through a hole on the other end to get some leverage. B&Q will have them or any plumber/hardware shop. Try squirting some WD40 over the nuts and leave it to soak in for a while if you can manage it. Be careful when you try to loosen them as, if you apply too much force suddenly, you can actually buckle the sink. Get somebody to hold the tap itself as you turn the spanner otherwise the tap will spin round (unless it's a mixer unit).
If this all doesn't work, then you're stuck with taking the sink out. It's usually not that big a job. Under the worksurface, you should find about 8/10 clips around the perimeter of the sink each with usually a posidrive screw that holds the sink down onto the worktop. Loosen those off then the sink will lift out. There will be a rim of foam sealing or similar around the sink which must be replaced when you put the sink back. Of course, when the sink's out, you'll be able to hacksaw the nuts off fairly easily. When you put the new tap/s on the sink, fit an isolating valve in the pipework. This allows you to turn the water off to the taps easily in case you need to replace the washers. Easy job to fit them. B&Q will have them.
Hope all this helps. Best of luck.

Denis Langley
May 2009