First step to replacing a bathroom faucet: turn off all water sources – either via stop valves under your sink or at your water meter.
Your new faucet should come with specific installation instructions from its manufacturer to assist with installation, and should outline whether plumber’s putty will be needed and, if so, how much you require.
How to Remove the Faucet
Step one in turning off your water supply is turning the shut-off valves beneath your sink counterclockwise.
Next, you must remove the old faucet handle and spout with a utility knife to cut through caulk seal. Loosen and remove any mounting nuts (if any exist) using channel-type pliers before pulling down on the body of the faucet – be mindful to put something under it as it could fall – to keep you safe should anything hit cabinets or floors below!
Once the new faucet is in place, reconnect your waterlines by tightening them securely to its matching inlet shanks using a wrench. Before turning back on, be sure to unplug and disconnect its aerator, as well as let the water run for one minute to flush away any deposits or debris that has collected underneath it.
Preparing the Work Area
Tracking parts and tools included with new faucet kits is important to ensuring their smooth functioning, such as wrenches, aerator removal tools, or anything else you need handy. A great way to do this is placing them all into a freezer bag hung inside your sink cabinet so they are easy to find later on.
Turn off the water supply lines that control the old faucet by toggling off its on/off valves beneath the sink. Also consider placing a bucket and towel underneath to catch any drips or splashes while working on plumbing systems.
If you are replacing the faucet, consider switching out its supply tubes with stainless steel-sleeved tubes that have been designed for years of leak-free service and can easily navigate around obstructions without kinking. When installing similar models of faucet, ensure all hot and cold supply tubes are labeled accordingly.
Replacing the Faucet
Your new faucet should come with step-by-step instructions specific to its model, so read those carefully before beginning installation. They should outline whether a washer or plumber’s putty should be added under its base; if so, follow directions accordingly. Next, attach its metal rods (faucet shanks) into their respective holes on the sink, as directed. For braided water supply lines with shorter tubes attached at either end, connect one short tube directly into each side of its “torso-looking piece”.
Thread the jamb nuts onto the faucet shanks and tighten them using an adjustable wrench or basin wrench if available. Connect new water supply lines directly to the shanks, and then connect those to shutoff valves; reconnect p-trap, test your new faucet to ensure its functioning as intended before reconnecting p-trap, reconnecting p-trap, reassembling p-trap and testing out your new fixture to make sure everything was installed correctly before unplugging it for good – nothing worse than discovering an incorrect installation that now leaks after installation!
Installation
A stylish new faucet can transform the look and feel of any bathroom. Whether you’re renovating to sell or simply updating for personal pleasure, upgrading an older model with something fresh can completely transform any space and give the impression of spa luxury. A DIY project for any aspiring remodelers!
Step one is to switch off the water supply valves. These can usually be found under your sink and have an off switch with a knob that you turn counterclockwise to turn them off. Be sure to have a bucket or other container handy so as to collect any additional liquid that may flow out when disconnecting lines.
Unbolt the old faucet from its water line using a basin wrench; any adjustable wrench should also do. Once this step is completed, install your new faucet. For detailed steps follow your new faucet’s instruction booklet but generally, screw its shanks through its base gasket/deck plate before screwing them through any holes in your sink’s basin.