An old or dripping bathroom faucet could be telling you it’s time for an upgrade. Replacing one yourself is an achievable DIY project with basic plumbing knowledge and a few common tools.
Start by shutting off all water supply valves under your sink. Next, clear away the area underneath your sink and lay a towel to protect it from potential water damage.
Leaking Faucets
Leaks in faucets are one of the most frequent plumbing issues, and if left unaddressed they can lead to costly water damage issues and mold growth issues.
Start by turning off your sink’s water source by finding and turning clockwise the shutoff valves located under it. When finished, examine your sink to identify which side of its faucet may be leaking; if cold water leakage is suspected, shut both off simultaneously.
Once the handle has been unscrewed from the faucet, remove the handle by unscrewing it. Some handles feature an Allen wrench threaded through their side or back screw slots; others have decorative caps which must be unseated with a flat head screwdriver. After you have the handle off the faucet, begin uninstalling its cartridge by finding its retaining nut and using either tongue-and-groove or needle-nose pliers to dislodge it.
Rusty Faucets
However, every home faucet has an expected lifespan. Over time, constant use and exposure to air and water can cause it to rust or build-up of corrosive minerals – however replacing your bathroom faucet is an easy DIY project that you can tackle yourself! Make sure your water supply is switched off prior to starting work by disconnecting the pop-up assembly plug and p-trap underneath your sink; loosen supply stop/lock nuts using a basin wrench before taking care to deburr PEX pipes using SharkBite PRO PEX cutters before installing new ones!
At first sight, any sign of rust or corrosion should be addressed immediately on faucets. If no permanent solution can be found for your problem, try using a rust removal spray or soaking them for two or three hours in vinegar or dark cola soda to eliminate lingering spots and keep your faucets looking their best for years.
Faucet Hardware
Bathroom faucet hardware is an integral component of controlling water flow in your bath and improving its aesthetic appeal. A new faucet could also add modern flair if your old one looks outdated, making this upgrade worthwhile when renovating rooms or changing decor altogether.
Once you know which faucet you would like to install, select a kit designed specifically to your current piping configuration for a more convenient and easy installation process that avoids having to temporarily cut off water supplies.
Examine your faucet handle closely and look for a screw in the back that holds down its index (top) portion. This typically lies under an decorative cover called an escutcheon; once found, take steps to expose and release its fastener using a screwdriver.
Once the index has been removed, take steps to unbolt and pull away from the base of the faucet its handles and spout. Unscrew any two large nuts under your sink by hand or with a basin wrench before installing your new faucet by first connecting its water supply lines, followed by turning on its spout.
Faucet Installation
Installing a bathroom faucet should be a straightforward home improvement project, according to TOH Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey. But novice installers could get stuck making connections or applying too much pressure when tightening wrenches – it is therefore vitally important to shut off water supply before searching out and shutting off valves under sink, clearing workspace.
Once the water has been turned off, use a basin wrench or pipe wrench to unscrew any nuts that are connecting the supply lines to the old faucet. If they remain obstinate, try applying some penetrating oil on them for several minutes to see what results.
Connect the new short braided lines to hot and cold valves as well as each side of a spout tee, then tighten each of their four nuts with your fingers before tightening with wrench. Be cautious not to overtighten, which could damage fittings and impair water flow; and add plumber’s putty sealant as an extra measure at each drain in the sink.