If your current faucet has stopped working, or if it just looks like it was installed during the Nixon administration, it may be time to upgrade your unit. Installing a new kitchen faucet is daunting to a new homeowner, but it’s definitely not an impossible task. By following a few simple steps, you can have a faucet that is glistening and operating like new in no time. Here’s how.
Step 1- Safety First!
Prepare the area by shutting off any electrical outlets under or around the sink where you are preparing to install the new faucet. Have several towels and a bucket or basin small enough to fit under your sink as there may be residual water released from the pipes after unscrewing any existing fixtures you may have.
Ensure you have the proper materials to complete the job including a wrench, Teflon tape, and water lines/hoses that will run from your home’s plumbing to the faucet.
Step 2 – Shut Off the Water
Turn the water off at the main shutoff valve for your home. Drain the water from all pipes in the home by opening the faucets in places where water runs to other faucets in your house as well as the faucet you are preparing to replace.
Turn the water off at the faucet itself by locating the valve located under your sink.
Note which water supply valve is for hot water and which is for cold. There may be a line running from the hot water supply valve to your dishwasher.
Step 3 – Drain the Pipes
Once you’ve successfully located the water valve under your faucet and turned them both to the off or closed position, use a wrench to disconnect any existing water hoses from the valve.
At this point, you may need the towels and basin you prepared in step one. After disconnecting the hose from the water supply valve, you may find that there is some water left in the line that did not drain completely during step two. Use the basin to catch any excess water present to train from the hose and use the towel to dry your work area should any water spill outside the basin.
Repeat this step and remove the water hose from both the hot and cold-water supply valves.
Step 4 – Disconnect the Water Lines
Disconnect the water lines from any existing faucet you may have by unscrewing it at the fixture connection.
Once the water lines are disconnected, remove any mounting nut(s) that are present underneath the existing faucet.
Now that the mounting nuts have been removed, remove the existing faucet from the sink.
Step 5 – Insert the Guide
Begin installing your new faucet by inserting the hose guide for the spray accessory in the appropriate hole belong from above the sink. With the guide installed, move underneath the sink and install the mounting nut by threading and tightening the nut by hand until snug.
Step 6 – Assemble the Parts
Check the instructions for your new faucet fixture and assemble any necessary parts, such as the spout, prior to inserting the fixture from the top of the sink.
If your new faucet comes with a gasket or similar accessory, install that prior to inserting the fixture as well.
Step 7 – Start the Install
Insert the faucet into the openings on your sink.
With the faucet in place, thread mounting the nuts below the hot and cold-water handles and tighten until snug. Do not over-tighten!
Step 8 – Tighten the Fit
Use Teflon tape to wrap the bottom ½” of thread extending below the hot and cold-water handles. Install the water hoses to both by threading the connector for each and tightening by hand. Once you have them tightened by hand, use a wrench to finish tightening by giving each connection a clockwise quarter turn.
Connect the spray accessory hose. Wrap the connections at the water supple valves underneath your sink with two or three layers of Teflon tape.
Connect the water lines running from your faucet to the water supply valve by threading each nut onto the valve connection and tightening by hand.
Once both have been tightened by hand, again use a wrench to give both a quarter turn and finish tightening.
Do not over-tighten!
Step 9 – Test the Faucet
Turn the water back on at the main shutoff valve for your home.
Return to the faucet you just installed and turn the water supply valves back on there as well making sure you gradually turn the water supply valves and check for any leaks that may appear as you are doing so.
Test your faucet by turning on the hot and cold-water supplies to full pressure and observe for any leaks. Also check that the spray accessory functions properly and does not leak.
Observe underneath your sink with the water running to ensure no leaks are present where the water hose meets the sink as well as where the hoses meet the water supply valves.
Finally, after you’re made sure that there are no leaks, your new faucet is ready to use.
Don’t forget to restore power to any electrical outlets or accessories you cut power to in step one.