If you’re replacing the bathroom faucet, turn off all water lines before loosening any nuts with a basin wrench.
Your pop-up drain should have a lift rod extending downward from its drain; this serves as the lifting mechanism. Behind or underneath this rod should be a flat bracket containing holes known as a clevis strap.
Remove the Faucet
First step to replacing an old faucet: switch off water supply (typically by turning off valves under sink, although sometimes you may also need to cut main water line). You should then clear any items stored underneath sink and have a bucket ready in case any possible spills occur.
Once the water has been shut off, you can begin disassembling your faucet. Start by loosening each set screw with a screw driver or pliers so they can be detached from their respective handles and spout, followed by dismantling of each handle and spout from its respective escutcheon ring before taking steps to disassemble its handles and rings.
Use channel-type pliers to loosen the mounting nuts under your sink that secure one of the faucet valve tailpieces – usually there will be two; one for hot and one for cold. After doing this, pull up and out to access your faucet!
Remove the Drain
Before you remove the faucet, it is crucial to prepare the area. Place something absorbent under your sink, and clear out your workspace to give yourself as much room as possible for maneuvering and working effectively.
Find the lift rod of your pop-up drain beneath/behind the sink; it should be attached to the drain pipe using a C or U-shaped piece with a screw (called a “clevis”). Loosen its nut from its connection and pull upward on it in order to disconnect.
Locate and disconnect all water supply lines connected to faucet shanks (threaded pipes that come straight down from valves). Unsnug and remove these water lines carefully, inspecting them for damage or rust and replacing if necessary using plumber’s tape or thread sealant as this will ensure watertight connections between new supply line hoses and faucet shanks.
Disconnect the Water Supply Lines
Before beginning to remove an old faucet, first switch off all water supply lines that enter your sink by turning the valve located under it clockwise to close position.
Once the water supply lines have been disconnected, you can access and unscrew the nuts that hold your faucet in place. A wrench or penetrating oil may help loosen these nuts for you.
Once the nuts have been unfastened, carefully extract the old faucet assembly from the sink. Clear out any items stored beneath it as necessary, and set a bucket beneath its pipes in case any water escapes and causes spillage.
Prior to installing your new faucet, connect the drain pipe and P-trap to the in-wall plumbing by following the instructions that came with your new fixture. Before doing so, be sure to test its operation by running hot and cold water for one full minute – this should give an accurate measure of its performance.
Install the New Faucet
Once your new faucet is in place, carefully reattach its drain assembly and p-trap using channellock pliers. This may take some careful effort but should go smoothly.
Be sure to ensure the retaining nuts are tight; otherwise, your new faucet could leak.
Clean away any silicone sealant or plumber’s putty around the sink and countertop, and remove the aerator from your new faucet to avoid deposits clogging it during its initial use.
Once the installation is complete, reconnect the water supply lines and turn on all shutoff valves again. Run both hot and cold water for one minute each before switching them on; take care to disconnect any aerators attached to new spouts prior to turning them on; test for leaks prior to testing them, as this is also an opportunity to replace worn out faucet gaskets if any are found – online sources or plumbing supply stores often carry replacements in good condition.