No matter your motivation – whether to stop leaks, refresh your sink’s appearance, save water or energy consumption or reduce costs – installing a new bathroom faucet is a straightforward project that only requires basic tools and knowledge. Before beginning however, be sure to switch off the water supply by closing any shut-off valves under your sink.
Remove an old faucet by loosening its nuts, then using pliers or a basin wrench to unscrew it from the sink completely. Additionally, if necessary, take steps to unplug and disconnect its drain as well.
Removing the Old Faucet
Replacing an outdated, worn, or leaking faucet in your bathroom can create a modern aesthetic while improving performance and aesthetic. Furthermore, replacing it may prevent any potential damages or difficulties caused by an older fixture that no longer functions effectively.
As your first step, turn off all water supply valves under your sink by rotating them clockwise. For safety, place a bucket beneath faucet connections so as to catch any drips of dripping water while working.
Before disconnecting the supply tubes attached to the shutoff valves, if necessary. These may consist of flexible braided lines or rigid chromed copper tubes depending on your installation. Use pliers to loosen and then completely unplug these from your faucet head or tails.
When installing a centerset or bottom-mount faucet, loosen its mounting nuts from below the sink using a basin wrench with long handles to reach up and turn these large nuts.
Mounting the New Faucet
First step of installing your new faucet: mounting it onto the wall. For optimal results, use a stud finder to locate studs and mark their locations with pencil. Next, turn off water supply lines by opening valves underneath your sink.
As soon as your old faucet has been disconnected from its sink, remove any putty or adhesive that’s holding it together by loosening or prying off any putty/adhesive that holds it in place and clean off your sink to eliminate any sealants left from its former use.
Fix the new faucet to the sink’s water supply threads by starting with its washer and progressing on to its basin nut, tightening by hand as far as you can before switching to wrench or pliers for tightening. Apply plumber’s tape over threads of its supply connections as necessary before adding silicone caulk around where sink and faucet meet in order to create a watertight seal.
Connecting the Water Supply Lines
To prevent leaks from new faucet installations, both its supply pipe and valves must be securely sealed using plumber’s tape on each thread of each component. Furthermore, ensure that new connectors on the faucet match those on your shut-off valves (braided lines should only be used for concealed installations) before connecting the new supply line and tightening it by hand prior to tightening with a wrench for proper tightening.
A basin wrench is a standard plumbing tool with toothed jaws on one end of a long handle, designed to reach under sinks to loosen or tighten nuts that hold the faucet in place and connect water sources.
Screw short braided lines to both hot and cold valves as well as to the spout tee, then use an adjustable wrench to tighten each nut an additional quarter turn. As an alternative, rigid supply lines don’t need to connect directly with valves or the spout tee.
Installing the Faucet
Installing a new faucet can transform any room in your home – be it to modernize, stop leaks or just add elegance – in an affordable and time-effective way. Plus, with the proper tools and plumbing knowledge at hand, this job can easily be accomplished yourself!
Once your new faucet is in place, connect its water lines before sealing it with silicone caulk to help seal it. If necessary, apply some plumber’s putty to ensure that the new faucet fits securely within its hole.
Once complete, turn back on the water supply and test out your new fixture to ensure it works correctly before taking pleasure in your stylish new fixture! Your bathroom will look better and prevent costly leaks all at the same time, all within just a few hours!