An updated bathroom faucet can quickly transform the look and feel of any space, yet may seem daunting if you lack DIY experience. To help make things simpler and less daunting for yourself, below are three helpful resources on installing one yourself.
With proper preparation and instructions, anyone can successfully replace their bathroom faucet. Start by shutting off all water valves beneath the sink.
Preparation
At the first step in replacing a bathroom faucet, it is necessary to prepare the sink area. Remove any items or storage from underneath your sink, as well as provide a bucket in case water drips or spills onto the floor. Loosen the J-trap section of your drainpipe by unscrewing its two plastic lock nuts located either side.
As soon as your water supply lines have been disconnected, turn off all shutoff valves under your sink and apply plumber’s tape to each connection before disconnecting hoses – this helps ensure leak-free pipes when reconnecting later! To help identify which is hot and which is cold hoses. Label hot and cold hoses. If your new faucet does not include gasket sealant for its spout base, sealant or plumber’s putty can create an impermeable watertight seal before installing it!
Disconnecting the Water Hoses
Make use of a basin wrench to loosen the nut that connects supply lines to the faucet, paying special attention not to mix hot and cold hoses up.
Once your hoses have been unconnected, take this opportunity to organize and declutter your under-sink area. Doing this will make working easier while protecting items from water spray or drips.
Now, disconnect the lift rod for your pop-up drain. It should be connected to a horizontal pivot rod coming from your drain pipe by means of a strap/bracket with holes and spring clip – pinch this clip to disassemble them both.
Removing the Faucet
Before installing your new faucet, use mineral spirits to clear away sealant residue and scale from bare holes in your sink. In addition, switch off all water valves underneath your sink if necessary and place a bucket underneath any old water lines to collect any potential drips or leaks during this process.
As part of your P-trap disconnect process, locate and loosen its horizontal metal rod that protrudes out of the drain pipe using a wrench, followed by unhooking/removing its lift rod strap/bracket from its vertical pivot rod coming out of the drainpipe.
Alternatively, if installing a two-handle faucet, use a basin wrench to unfasten its neck from the sink. Disconnect the spout tube by unscrewing its black circle from its torso-looking piece and pulling off. Disconnect both handles of your old faucet.
Installing the Faucet
Make sure the new faucet spout fits with the height and clearance requirements for your sink, clearing any cabinets or mirrors above it. Also be sure to test its reach toward the drain – sometimes forgetting how low old faucets were can make this task harder than anticipated!
If you’re replacing the pop-up drain assembly, first loosen and disconnect its tailpiece from your sink’s P trap by loosening or tightening its slip nut with your wrench. Next, disconnect its lift rod from the drain assembly before inserting its clevis assembly. Position so the rod fits through an opening in your drain flange before fastening with its spring clip for security.
Now is the time to reattach water lines to your new faucet. Begin by wrapping all water pipes of the new faucet with plumber’s tape; this will prevent leaks where metal pipes meet each other. Next, attach hoses using pliers or wrench and label each so you know which is hot and which is cold.