Installing or Replacing Sink Faucets
Like a lot of things in your home
kitchen and bathroom, faucets require replacing from time to
time. Like everything else in life or your home, they seem
to go in and out of style. Even if your old faucets are
working just fine, you might want to update them so your
kitchen and bathroom can reflect the latest fashion. Faucets
are available in a broad price range from as low as $39 for
one made primarily of plastic or several hundred dollars for
the more stylish. The more expensive faucets are made mainly
of metal (brass) and will come with a multi- year or a
lifetime warranty. Like most things you only get what you
pay for. Many different faucet designs and styles can be
purchased from a plumbing supply store or home improvement
center. Changing faucets is a relatively easy DIY project
that can be completed in approximately an hour using
standard tools found around most handymen’s home.
How to change those old
faucets:
Items you will need:
-
Replacement faucet
-
Locking pliers, adjustable wrench
-
Slip joint or water pump pliers
-
Basin wrench (possibly)
-
Utility knife
-
Plumber's putty or silicone caulk
-
Flashlight (to see under the sink
-
Water supply lines and Teflon tape
Removing the old faucet:
-
Your first job is to get rid of your
existing faucet. Start by turning off the water supply,
either by shutting off the main water supply to your house
or by closing the shutoff valves on the water supply lines
to your faucet. Then, open the tap to allow the water to
drain out of the lines and remove any water pressure.
-
Use the adjustable wrench and
disconnect the hot and cold water supply lines running to
the faucet. If you're going to replace the lines, disconnect
them at the shutoff valve. If you are going to reuse the
lines disconnect them at the base of the faucet itself.
-
Faucets are attached in one of two
ways. Bottom mounted faucets are removed from the top of the
sink. To remove a bottom mount faucet, you need to take off
the faucet handles and escutcheon to get to the nuts holding
the faucet in place. Once the nuts are exposed, use your
wrench to take them off. Top mounted faucets are held in
place by nuts located on the underside of the sink. They
must be removed from under the sink. In most cases you'll be
able to use your slip joint or locking pliers to loosen the
nuts. If pipes are in the way, you'll need to use a basin
wrench (a wrench specially designed to work in tight spaces
where you don't have room to use an ordinary wrench or
pliers).
-
After removing the nuts holding the
faucet in place, lift the faucets off the sink. If there is
some caulking holding the base to the sink, slide the blade
of a utility knife carefully around the faucet base to cut
it loose. Remove any old caulking or "grunge" that may have
built up around the old faucet.
Installing the New Faucets:
-
If you are installing a bottom mounted
faucet, put the faucet in place and put on the washers and
mounting nuts, then hand tighten. Line up the faucet with
the back of the sink and tighten them with a wrench. Run a
bead of silicon caulking (or plumber's putty) around the
base of the faucet; install the escutcheon and the faucet
handles.
-
Install top mounted faucets by laying a
bead of plumber's putty or silicone caulk before you place
the faucet into the sink openings. You may need assistance
as you will be working from underneath the sink. Having
someone working on top to align the faucet and hold it while
you use a wrench to tighten the nuts.
-
Once the faucet is firmly attached to
the sink, reinstall the water lines. Turn the water back on
and check for leaks. Clean up any plumber's putty or
silicone caulk around the faucet itself before it has a
chance to set up.
That was easy and you have brand new
faucets.
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