Although replacing a faucet might appear daunting, the process is actually relatively straightforward. Provided you have all of the tools and follow instructions, replacing your own can be achieved effortlessly.
Before beginning, first shut off the water supply lines to your old sink faucet at its shut-off valves underneath or behind it using an adjustable wrench. Remove any items from underneath it before placing a bucket nearby to catch any spilled liquids that might make an appearance.
Removing the Old Faucet
First step to remove an old faucet is turning off its water source. This may mean closing either hot and cold water shutoff valves at the sink itself or closing your main home water valve – both are effective methods. For optimal results, keep a bucket or bowl handy to collect any leakages as you work.
Look under your sink for mounting nuts that secure handles and spout in place, using a wrench to loosen these and pull out the faucet from its hole in the sink.
If there is corrosion between the old faucet and drain pipe, try heating it with a hairdryer in order to loosen its connection. If this does not work, apply penetrating oil and leave it sit overnight – this should loosen any corrosion and allow you to take down and dispose of your old fixture.
Installing the New Faucet
Installing your new faucet should be straightforward once you know how to do it, according to TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey. However, mistakes such as overtightening fittings or twisting lines could compromise water flow through your sink and cause potential damage or restrict circulation of waste water.
Start by turning off the water supply lines – look beneath your sink for small handles that, when rotated clockwise, will shut off both hot and cold water supplies. Remove any items stored under the sink that might make working easier, and have a container handy for catching any draining from old drain trap or faucet holes.
Loosen the mounting nuts securing your faucet to both sink and countertop using a basin wrench (or adjustable wrench), and remove the old faucet. Be sure to wait until both drain and P-trap are dry before installing new one – use mineral spirits if necessary to clean away sealant residue or leftovers from previous one.
Connecting the Water Supply Lines
Though most new faucets come complete with everything necessary for installation (with the exception of water lines), make sure that all hoses you are using are compatible with the type of faucet being installed, then follow instructions to connect them from underneath your sink.
Begin by switching off both water valves beneath your sink (hot and cold ones). With a bucket in hand, loosen and pull off the old p-trap pipe or drainpipe from its anchor point.
Adjustable wrenches are great tools for disconnecting water supply lines from underneath a sink, especially those which may have become corroded with corrosion deposits. Apply penetrating oil and let it sit for several hours; if that fails to loosen stuck-on deposits then cut any rusted nuts off water line shanks by sawing or using tools with metal cutting blades like Dremel tools with metal-cutting blades such as Dremel tools before turning on your tap water to flush out pipes once lines have been disconnected
Checking for Leaks
Once you’ve installed the new faucet and connected its water lines, turn back on the water to make sure that everything works as intended. If it doesn’t, check for leaks along your water lines; any such leakage usually stemming from mineral accumulation corroding valve seats – in which case pouring some white vinegar over it and leaving it soak for several minutes will help clean it out.
If the leak cannot be repaired, consider replacing the valve seat. It may also be that its O-ring has become worn, preventing water from passing through to your handle handles.
To avoid this scenario, unscrew the handles by unscrewing their screw holders – typically standard flathead screws but hex set screws may also be present – before taking steps to detach and decommission them. Be sure to have the appropriate wrench handy! The decorative cap must also be taken off before detaching any handles from their fixtures.