Replacing your bathroom faucet can be an inexpensive and simple DIY project that adds style and function. Before starting, shut off both hot and cold water supply valves before disconnecting any necessary plumbing pipes from their sources.
Remove and dispose of old faucet hardware before cleaning the sink area in preparation for installation.
1. Turn Off the Water
Replacing a bathroom faucet is an accessible DIY project that most people can complete themselves, without the assistance of professional plumbers. By following instructions and using appropriate tools, this project can typically be finished within an hour.
Before beginning, ensure the water supply lines have been disconnected by closing off both shut-off valves located beneath your sink – one will typically control hot water while another handles cold.
2. Disconnect the Lines
Before beginning anything else, remove the supply lines from under your sink. This should give you access to large flat mounting nuts that hold the faucet to the sink – they should usually be plastic and should be simple to loosen by twisting them counterclockwise by hand. If they become stuck, try using a basin wrench with penetrating oil.
Once that’s complete, unbolt the faucet handle. If it is hard to move or has become rusty over time, apply some penetrating oil and let it work its magic for a bit before giving up and waiting a while longer before trying again.
3. Unscrew the Faucet
If you’re installing a faucet in a new bathroom, ensure the appropriate water lines are in place. To do this, identify which side of longer tubes contains hot or cold water before attaching them to their respective valves.
Unscrew the mounting nut attached to one of your faucet’s valve tailpieces using a basin wrench, then loosen its associated mounting nut on both of its valve tailpieces if necessary. Next, disconnect your pop-up drain lift rod by loosening its clevis screw.
4. Remove the Faucet
Once your new faucet is in place, add its copper pipes and install the drain body. Make sure that one of the pipes serves as hot and another as cold.
If your pop-up drain is mechanical, loosen the screw on its clevis strap or bracket (the horizontal bar that runs behind the vertical rod coming out of the drain) by loosening its screw. In order to disconnect this spring clip you may have to pinch off its clip.
5. Insert the New Faucet
Most faucets come equipped with step-by-step instructions that make installation simple and straightforward. Please follow your manufacturer’s recommendations as closely as possible when installing your specific model.
if your new faucet includes a pop-up drain with a lift rod, insert it through the opening in the back of the drain body and secure with a spring clip before connecting it with an Allen wrench via its clevis assembly (piece with holes).
Screw the new spout into place using a basin wrench, making sure not to over-tighten.
6. Tighten the Mounting Nuts
Once your new faucet is connected to its hot and cold valves and drain, tighten any loose mounting nuts with a basin wrench. Wear your headlamp, crawl underneath your sink with it in your hands and insert its jaws into each of its nuts before turning it counterclockwise with firm pressure from both wrench jaws.
Tough faucet mounting nuts may seem impossible to dislodge – don’t give up! Don’t give up – just persevere until they finally come loose!
7. Tighten the Valve Tailpieces
Attach the two short braided lines to each of the hot and cold valves using screws; hand tighten before finger tightening again for extra security.
An ornamental cap may conceal the set screw holding the handle to the valve. If sudden or forceful turns snap off the handle, if necessary use heat from a hairdryer and penetrating oil in order to loosen and remove it. Repeat if necessary in order to fully unlatch and unbolt.
8. Tighten the Handles
If your faucet is old, loose, or has visible signs of wear, tighten the handle screw with a screwdriver to prevent looseness and wobbling when turning on or off its handles. Doing this may help avoid looseness when turning them on or off.
Search under/behind your sink for the lift rod of the pop-up drain – a long flat piece with holes that connects it with a horizontal pivot rod coming out of your drain pipe. On this clevis you should see C or U-shaped pieces to link this rod up.
9. Tighten the Screws
If your faucet features decorative covers on its handles, gently pry them off (they’re usually labeled or colored) and remove their screws from their places. When this has been accomplished, tighten up any exposed handle screws with a clockwise screwdriver turn.
Reassemble the handles, taking care to align and secure them securely with their base. If using sealant or plumber’s tape, apply as directed before physically inspecting your repair for signs of success.