Changing the faucet on your kitchen sink is a relatively easy job that can greatly improve the beauty, function and design of your kitchen; by following reliable installation instructions, you can get the job done quickly and correctly. This job is easily accomplished by even a novice DIYer and by doing it yourself, you'll save quite a bit of money compared to hiring an expensive plumber.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Teflon tape
- Plumber's putty
- 2 water supply hoses
- Adjustable wrench
- Basin wrench
- Bucket
- Rags
- Putty knife
How to Remove the Existing Faucet
Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves located underneath the sink. Turn the knobs clockwise all the way until they're nice and tight. Turn the faucet on to make sure no water comes out and the valves are completely shut.
Clean everything out from underneath the sink and place a bucket or a bowl directly below the cold water shut-off valve. Loosen the water supply hose from the shut-off valve using the adjustable wrench. Drain any water into the bucket. Perform the same process with the water supply hose connected to the hot water valve. If any water gets on the cabinet floor, soak it up with a rag.
Reach up behind the sink and remove the hot and cold water supply lines from the stems of the existing faucet. Remove the two nuts on the faucet stems using the basin wrench. Once these nuts are removed, pull the old faucet straight up and out of the sink.
Clean up any old plumber's putty with a putty knife and clean and dry the area thoroughly.
How to Install a Kitchen Faucet
Take some plumber's putty and work it with your hands until it becomes soft and pliable. Apply the putty to the bottom of your faucet and set in the holes on the top of the kitchen sink.
Secure the faucet in place using the stem nuts. Hand-tighten the nuts up the faucet stems, then tighten them down using the basin wrench. Wrap Teflon plumber's tape around the threads on the faucet stems. Remove the old Teflon tape from the threaded nipples on the hot and cold water valves and replace it with a fresh wrap of the Teflon tape.
Connect the side of the cold water supply hose with the large connector to the cold water side of the faucet and the other side to the cold water shut-off valve. Tighten both connections down with the adjustable wrench. Follow the same steps for the hot water supply hose.
Clean up any residual plumber's putty that may have squeezed out from underneath the faucet and turn the hot and cold water valves back on.
Turn on the faucet and check all connections for leaks or drips.
Installation Tips
Be careful not to over tighten the nuts on the faucet stems that hold the faucet in place; over-tightening the nuts could cause the body of the faucet to crack. Tighten them to the point where they are secure without putting too much pressure on them.
Similarly, do not over-tighten the water supply hose connections on the shut-off valves. Tighten them so they are snug, and check them for leaks once you have the water turned back on. If a leak is noticeable, gradually tighten the connector until the leak stops.
Follow these installation instructions and your new faucet will be up and running in no time at all.
