Installing a new bathtub faucet is an easy DIY project that will instantly upgrade the aesthetics of your bathroom. First, locate all water lines and shut-off valves underneath your sink; when turned clockwise they will shut off all incoming water supply.
Use pliers or wrench to loosen and disconnect water hoses before installing your new faucet.
Disconnect the Water Lines
As soon as you are ready to begin working on this project, be sure to shut off all water sources beneath the sink so no one gets burned by hot water during your work. This step should prevent anyone from being accidentally burned by hot water while working on this task.
First, place an absorbent bucket beneath the sink’s water supply tube connections to catch any leakage and spillage while working. Furthermore, double check that all water sources have been fully disconnected before proceeding with your task.
Utilize channel-type pliers to loosen the plastic locknuts that secure your faucet to your sink, using some WD-40 as needed for stubborn plastic nuts that seem impossible to unfasten by hand. Once this step has been accomplished, remove handles and spout from faucet. It would also be beneficial to label which side is hot/cold at this stage if possible.
Remove the Faucet
Before you attempt to remove an old faucet, turn off all water by turning the shutoff valves beneath your sink clockwise. This will allow time for any parts of the sink or component of it that need draining before beginning removal efforts.
Once again, pull the handles and escutcheon off, usually by prying off its decorative cap and loosening its screw. If there’s also a spout present, you may also have to loosen its nut that holds it into place before proceeding with this task.
Now, using either a basin wrench (or regular pliers), loosen the nuts that hold your faucet in place – one per handle location and another underneath your sink near its spout. After unloosening these mounting nuts, the faucet may fall off on its own or may need some pulling to disassemble itself completely.
Clean the Sink
An unsoiled sink is essential, especially after taking apart your old faucet. Use hot water mixed with mild dish soap to scrub down its basin before rinsing and wiping dry afterwards.
Clear the area beneath your sink, placing a bucket or bowl to catch any drips, before switching off both hot and cold shutoff valves under it using a wrench.
Remove the nut that connects the hot and cold water supply lines under your sink using a screwdriver, making sure to loosen all four nuts around your faucet as you go. Once this nut has been taken care of, pull your old faucet from its place by pulling the handle.
Choose a New Faucet
Upgrading your bathroom faucet can be an economical and immediate way to modernize and increase its value. You will be delighted at just how simple and dramatic a difference the new fixture makes in daily life.
Step one in selecting a new faucet is selecting its style. Before going shopping, be sure to confirm how many installation holes there are on your sink or vanity; otherwise, it could end up not fitting at all!
Once you’ve selected the ideal faucet, follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Depending on your plumbing setup, plumber’s putty may be necessary to create an airtight seal; most faucets include step-by-step installation guides that will guide you through this process.
Install the Faucet
Once you’ve disassembled and removed your old faucet, along with cleaning both sink and countertop surfaces, it’s time to install your new one. First ensure your new faucet has all of its required water supply lines – most are connected directly to hot and cold shutoff valves underneath your sink, so be sure to turn these off first, if possible.
Unhook the lift rod for the drain stopper. Unscrew any remaining nuts securing your faucet from underneath using a basin wrench (or penetrating lubricant in hard-to-reach areas) until all screws have been removed from under your sink. Apply plumber’s putty around the base of your new faucet if necessary to create a watertight seal, and install its drain gasket accordingly if applicable – typically this step is unnecessary with modern two-handle bathroom faucets but may be essential when working with older models.