Bathroom faucets are exposed to heavy use on a daily basis, and eventually begin showing signs of wear. Replacing an older model will save both water and money in the long run.
Start by setting up your work area. Clear away anything that may have accumulated under your sink and create an open workspace, and be sure to close all shut-off valves.
Installing the Faucet
Faucets come in a wide range of styles and models, so finding a new one to complement existing ones both aesthetically and functionally is important. Home centers that specialize in plumbing parts or hardware stores may provide better selection while plumbing supply stores often boast wider selection with knowledgeable staff members available for assistance.
Before beginning any work on your sink, switch off all water by closing both of its shut-off valves – this will help avoid flooding as well as making disassembling its old faucet much simpler.
Install the short braided water lines onto the hot and cold valves as well as each side of a spout tee, using short screws with moderate torque settings and using tube benders if necessary to make sure they reach straight up. Tightening nuts using only moderate torque settings to avoid leaks.
Removing the Old Faucet
Under your sink are two separate shutoff valves for hot and cold water, which should both be turned off to disconnect the old faucet and drain line, before trying to take down its handle/spout by hand if they won’t budge or apply some penetrating oil as per our guidebook.
Underneath your sink should be mounting nuts that hold the faucet body to either of its two locations: handles or spout (if present). Remove these using a basin wrench or channel-type pliers; as soon as removed the body will usually fall onto an old towel or blanket and away from your sink without incurring damage to itself or anything nearby.
Unscrew the water supply lines from your faucet using a wrench. Be careful not to overtighten, as this could damage either the sink or counter surface. Connect new supply lines using washers to ensure tight seal. Add silicone caulk if necessary for additional protection of connections.
Installing the New Faucet
Once the old faucet is out of the way, prepare the sink for its replacement by applying generous amounts of plumber’s putty or silicone around its base to secure its position and protect the sink against leaks.
Locate and turn off the shut-off valves under the sink with a wrench. Disconnect water supply lines as well as lift rod for drain stopper located under sink which appears as three pieces when seen from above.
To disconnect water supply tubes, loosen their nuts with a basin wrench and hand tighten until you can pull out the tubing. Disconnect any remaining nuts before unplugging lift rod from end of tube using pliers; unplug lift rod from tube end by using pliers to clean off remaining tube of any residue; reconnect water supply tubes by screwing in longer tubes first and then shorter tubes.
Cleaning the Sink
Once your bathroom faucet is on its last legs, it may be time for an upgrade. Newer models tend to be more functional, water efficient and visually appealing than their older counterparts. To help the new fixture set securely in its new position and avoid leaks, it’s essential that the sink be thoroughly cleaned prior to its replacement with its old fixture. For best results, use a sponge lightly dampened with warm water mixed with baking soda – rinse well then wipe clean using a clean cloth afterwards.
Before disconnecting any supply lines from under the sink, turn off both hot and cold water shut-off valves before loosening their nuts with a basin wrench or pliers to release each one from its mounting point. Disconnect drain, cut old supply lines if necessary using pipe cutter, disconnect drain if possible then disassemble drain to cut old supply lines off as required by your plumber. In order to avoid cracking porcelain surfaces on sinks when taking this approach, pull spout tee off by hand loosening its mounting nuts as opposed to forcing it through its hole using force from above using force against its mounting nut mounting point nut using basin wrench/pliers nut loosening techniques.