Replacing a bathroom faucet is a straightforward DIY project; with the appropriate tools and techniques it should take less than an hour to complete.
Start by switching off all water supply valves beneath your sink (clockwise) and disconnecting its drain nut from its socket. With these steps completed, installation should go smoothly.
Remove the Faucet
Your bathroom faucet is the centerpiece of the room, so selecting a replacement that matches both style and functionality is of great importance. A new fixture can bring new energy into the space while simultaneously saving water and money.
Start by switching off all water supply valves under your sink. Next, drain any leftover water by opening your old faucet. Finally, disconnect and loosen plastic nuts that hold your new faucet to your sink deck using either a basin wrench or Ridgid Faucet & Sink Installer tool (this tool will save a lot of bloody knuckles!).
Once the handles and escutcheon are out of the way, you should have clear access to the large mounting nuts that hold the faucet body together. Most are plastic and easy to unscrew with just a simple twist; otherwise channel-type pliers should suffice. Once these have been taken off, the faucet should come loose from its anchoring points easily enough and lift off of its mountings with little difficulty.
Disconnect the Water Supply Lines
If your faucet is leaking and simple repairs don’t seem to solve it, replacing it may be best. Switching out for one that uses less energy can save water and money while giving your bathroom an update and facelift all at once!
At the outset of any successful bathroom faucet replacement project, the initial step should be shutting off all water supply valves under the sink. Locate two shut-off valves under your sink and turn them clockwise to close them off. Next, disconnect any pipes connected with your old faucet.
To prevent leaks, always ensure all threaded connections are dry before reconnecting them. After reconnecting a pipe connection pipe, wrap its end with plumber’s tape for extra sealing protection and screw short braided lines onto both hot and cold valves along with the spout tee using hand tightened nuts before further tightening with wrench. Finally, before connecting rigid supply lines use a tube bender to gently curve them so they reach both valves without kinking.
Remove the Drain
As part of its routine maintenance, replacing bathroom faucets may become necessary due to factors like wear-and-tear, leaks, or an outdated look. A new fixture will enhance both its functionality and appearance in your space while making it more water-efficient.
Start by clearing away any objects on or under your sink and setting aside any tools you will require for use. Next, using an adjustable wrench, loosen and disconnect old supply lines from their connections while placing a towel or bucket under the sink to catch any leakage.
Locate and turn clockwise the shutoff valves under your sink to turn off all water supply, before removing any water-resistant drywall around your sink to expose its P-trap.
Unscrewing the lock nuts that hold the drain in place requires using a basin wrench, then unscrewing carefully to avoid stripping threads and damaging pipes. After unscrewing, disconnect and pull out old faucet. Be sure to clean under sink area thoroughly in order to ensure waterproof seal of new faucet.
Remove the Old Faucet
Once you’ve shut off the water valves and disconnected supply lines, it’s time to begin disassembling your old faucet. Begin by placing a bucket under the drain to catch any runoff; then use channel-type pliers or a basin wrench to loosen and remove mounting nuts that secure handles and spout, before dropping the assembly into your sink bowl.
Alternatively, heat the area with a hairdryer until its corrosion loosens; once cool, apply penetrating oil in and around threaded parts and allow it to soak for several hours; once loose enough to be pulled by hand. Finally, unscrew handles and spout and wait a few more hours; once loose enough pull it by hand out. Before installing new faucets ensure sink bowl is free from debris so gasket adheres securely; this may also be an ideal time to replace stoppers!