© 2009 Anderqual Handyman & Remodeling Service

Faucet installation go easy or very hard. The first and most simple is access to the underside of the sink. Many cabinets have small door openings and if your a large framed person it can be a nightmare trying to squeeze yourself in the cabinet then have to hold your hands above your shoulders( TIP: Use pillows or a platform of some sort to make a work surface to lay on level with the inside of the cabinet).  Another common problem is that the putty under the old faucet has become brittle and cracked and allowed water to seep under the faucet causing the nut and threads holding the faucet to corrode(TIP: Use WD 40 to loosen the nut). The third problem is that you may find you cant get the water supply shut off under the sink wont fully stop the water flow or maybe drips. It may be time to replace the shut-off or you might just need to tighten the packing nut.

 

Step 1 A good tip is to locate your main water shut off in your home “just in case”. This way if something goes wrong you know were it is and have hopefully removed all the boxes that tend to be stacked in front of it.

 

Step 2 Clear out all the odds and ends that are underneath the cabinet. You may think you have cleared enough room but rest assured when you get under that sink you will get frustrated with all the objects rolling around and getting in your way!

 

Step 3 Find the hot and cold shut off valves under the sink and turn them until the water is shut off. You can test this by turning on the hot and cold on faucet. Sometimes builders install low grade shut off valves or they are simply old and have been abused my hard water whichever the case you may find you can fully turn the water off of possibly cant even budge the valve handle. If this is the case you will need to shut the water off at the main valve you located earlier. This would be a good time to replace your shut offs with new ones but that is for another article.

 

Step 4 With a small bucket handy disconnect the supply lines from the shut off valves draining any remaining water inside them into the bucket. Once drained disconnect the supply lines from the faucet using the basin wrench or channel lock wrench depending on the faucet style or room available. This will give you more room to work with and allow the faucet to slip out of the holes in the sink easier when it is time.

 

Step 5 If it is a bathroom faucet then there is more than likely a pop up drain plug. Now would be a good time to: disconnect pop up drain rod coming down from the faucet, remove the vertical rod, pop up, and horizontal lever that actuates the pop up in the drain by unscrewing the nut. If it is a kitchen faucet there may be a separate spray handle with a hose running down and attaching to the faucet. Now is a good time to disconnect it and pull it out.

 

Step 6  Now that the supply lines and pop up assemblies have been removed its time to remove the nuts holding the faucet to the sink. There are several methods manufacturers use to fasten the faucet down. One is with large plastic nuts, another is with small nuts with extension sleeves and washers. A third is with a single nut in the center with a large re tension bracket. Which ever method they chose its time to use the basin wrench. This wonderful tool allows you to reach up into the tight area behind the sink bowl(s) and either tight or loosen the nuts by flipping the adjustable end so that the teeth engage the nut properly. Use the tool to remove the nuts and slide the old faucet out. If the nuts are heavily corroded use some WD 40 to help break them free.

 

Step 7(A)  If it is a kitchen faucet and there was a separate spray handle there is probably a trim piece still in the hole it was piped through now is a good time to remove it.

 

Step 7(B) Most new bathroom faucets come with new matching drains now is the time to replace the old with the new. Start by loosening the nuts on the drain trap under the sink and remove it. It will be full of waste water so have the bucket ready to dump the water out. Now is a good time to remove the hair build up and look for those lost earrings! Under the sink where the drain attaches to it you will find a large nut. Using the channel locks loosen it a bit so that you can un-thread the decorative flange on the inside of the sink. Once the flange is completely removed the drain pipe should slip out and be removed. Take the old drain pipe and lay it next to the new drain pipe lining up the top of the pipes(the end with threads). The new one might be longer than the old pipe, this is likely because the old pipe was cut shorter to fit the trap under the sink and this is normal. Mark the new pipe where the old pipe ends, this will be a good reference if you need to shorten the pipe.

 

Step 8 Using vinegar diluted with warm water clean the sink where the old faucet and drain flange was. Years of mineral and soap deposits are much easier to remove now before the new faucet is installed.

 

Step 9 Read the instructions for the new faucet. Installation should be very close to the removal process only in reverse. Things to watch for is if the new faucet has leads coming from them to attach the new supply lines to. If so it will take two wrenches to attach the supply lines. One to put back pressure on the lead and the other to tighten the supply line. After attaching the supply lines to the faucet attach them to the shut off valves. Make sure you connect the hot and cold to the correct side or they will be reversed on the faucet.

 

Step 10(A) If its a bathroom faucet and the new faucet has been installed, the new supply lines attached to it and the shut off valves follow the instructions and install the new drain assembly. Some need plumbers putty and others don't. Also install the pop up drain assembly following the directions.

 

Step 10 (B) If it is a kitchen faucet and there is a separate spray hose now is a good time to install its flange in the proper hole. Then feed the spray hose through and attach it to the faucet. For kitchen faucet installers this should be the final step. A good tip is to turn the shut off valves on, remove the aerator on the faucet and run the water until it runs clear. This will remove any debris from the water supply and prevent the aerator screen from becoming clogged. Re install the aerator.

 

Step 11 If its a bathroom faucet check to see if the trap fits without cutting the drain pipe. If  not cut the drain pipe at  the mark you made earlier. Install the trap and tighten the nuts hand tight. Remove the aerator on the faucet, turn the supply valves on and run the water to remove air and debris from the water lines. Shut the faucet off and reinstall the aerator.

 

Step 12 Dry the inside of the cabinet thoroughly and lay paper towels down and run the faucet. Any drips will easily show up on the paper towels. If there are drips, find the leaks and tighten things up and check again.  

 

Step 13 Put all the stuff you pulled out from under the sink back and forget about it for another couple of decades and enjoy your new faucet!