Installing a new bathroom faucet can dramatically transform the aesthetics of your sink. This project can easily be accomplished yourself with some planning and basic tools.
Begin by turning off the water supply valves beneath your sink, then purchase a basin wrench – an essential plumbing tool – which can assist in unscrewing any retaining nuts that hold on to an old faucet in its place.
Preparation
A new faucet not only adds beauty and value to your bathroom, but can also improve water flow and decrease mineral deposit buildup. Plus, this project can usually be accomplished with little pain or sacrifice involved!
If you’re switching out your faucet, be sure to disconnect its old supply lines from their respective shutoff valves below the sink. Bend any rigid supply lines into an S shape so they reach the faucet valves for proper functionality; use a tube bender if necessary for this task.
Before beginning, be sure to clean the area around the drain and faucet holes thoroughly. Additionally, it’s a good idea to straighten and check that everything is in its place before tightening using a wrench – this will prevent any future plumbing issues from arising.
Removing the Old Faucet
Step one is to turn off the water supply valves under your sink and gather up any spilled water with a bucket or bowl. Loosen tube connections underneath, breaking loose any corroded nuts holding older faucets together if necessary and loosen tube connections on them using appropriate tools if required.
Underneath/behind your sink, locate and loosen and remove the mounting nuts holding the spout and handles of the old faucet in place using either a basin wrench or adjustable wrench, depending on its configuration.
As part of your sink’s drain pipe system is the lift rod for its pop-up drain stopper. To disconnect this rod from it’s pop-up stopper, unscrew or loosen its clevis screw at its bottom end by unscrewing or loosening. Now pull the entire faucet from its wall – any caulking or putty might still be holding onto the old fixture – use a putty knife to break through any putty that remains.
Installing the New Faucet
Replacing a bathroom faucet might appear to be a complex project, but it can actually be quite straightforward. First step should be purchasing the perfect fixture to meet your style preferences and features; follow step-by-step instructions included with it to complete installation of it; depending on its type you may also require adding gasketing or plumber’s putty to ensure proper functioning.
Once you have your new faucet, shut off the water supply by turning both valves clockwise. Next, loosen and remove nuts holding water lines from your old faucet by loosening and un-nuting nuts that hold them together; any residual water should be collected into a bucket or rags for safekeeping. Finally, disconnect both sets of water lines, remove aerators from faucet mouth, then flush pipes using both hot and cold water simultaneously for one minute to drain any remaining debris out.
Checking for Leaks
Once assembled and tightened, make sure the handle is leaking by turning on the water and watching for drops where two pieces meet or where spout meets faucet body. Replace O-ring and seat washer if necessary.
Depending on the nature of its malfunction, replacing your cartridge may require purchasing a whole new cartridge. When doing so, be sure that it specifically mentions your brand and model of faucet as compatible.
Under your sink should be a rod that’s attached to the pop-up drain flange (a long flat piece with holes). There should be a screw called a clevis strap or bracket – loosen or remove this to free up the cylinder for removal and allow you to take further steps with this process. Once this step has been taken care of, remove and reconnect your new drain tailpiece, connect its pipe to it along with its washer, reconnect p-trap to sink, water supply lines to faucet.