Today, many modern kitchen faucets come with a single handle including a sprayer instead of dual handles for hot water and cold water and a separate sprayer. If you are installing a single handle faucet, it may require an adaptor or plugs for covering the holes if you have a three-hole sink, but the installation process will be similar, regardless of which type you are replacing.
DIY plumbing projects require foreknowledge of your water shut-off valves. The valves under the sink that bring the water to the supply lines may be the only ones you will use, but it is always prudent to know where your main water cut-off is outside your home.
You will want to have a bowl or plastic tub to catch any water that may leak from the supply lines, as well as a towel to dry any water that leaks onto the base of the cabinet. Remove everything that is stored under the sink before you get started, so you will have plenty of room.
A couple of adjustable wrenches, such as channel lock plyers and a crescent wrench, are certainly in order, and your project may require a specialized tool known as a basin wrench. You will also need some Teflon tape.
With your work area clear and your tools in place, you can begin the step-by-step process of removing the old faucet and replacing it with the new one:
1. Turn the water off to the supply lines using the supply valves. These are usually chrome valves that come out of the wall, although they may also come up from the floor. If there are no supply valves, or if they are too difficult to turn or if they leak, you must turn the water off for the entire house at your main cut-off.
2. Disconnect the supply lines that lead from the supply valve to the sink. The nut should be turned counterclockwise, and care should be given to stabilize the supply valve and the pipe behind it that runs into the wall, so you do not loosen a connection behind the wall. If water drips from the supply valve with the handle completely turned off, you should turn your water off to the entire house and replace the valve also.
3. Remove the supply line from the faucet, then remove the faucet connections at the base of the sink. The supply line must be removed first, or the mounting nut will not be removeable. This is where the basin wrench comes in if you are not able to reach the supply line connection or the mounting nut and get enough leverage on them with an adjustable wrench and your hand.
4. With all of the under-sink connections removed, lift the faucet out. Note that it may require some pressure to break a seal of caulk that was applied during the original installation. You will want to clean the mounting area well before installing the new faucet.
5. Install the new faucet. If the new faucet is similar to the one being replaced, it will be a pretty straightforward reversal of the steps you took removing the old faucet. Connections should be snug, but be careful not to overtighten. When connecting the supply lines to the supply valve, be sure to secure the supply valve to avoid damaging connections in the wall behind it.
6. If you are replacing a two-handle faucet with a single-handle faucet, there should be a cover plate or plugs that will extend over the holes where the old handles were.
7. Use Teflon tape on all the connections when installing the new faucet.
8. After the faucet is in place, turn on the water to flush the lines and check for leaks. Remove the aerator at the end of the faucet as you flush the lines. If you see any drips at the connections, use a wrench to tighten the connection until the leak stops — but again, do not overtighten.
Now you can enjoy your new faucet! Not only will it enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen, but having a properly functioning faucet can save you money on your water bill.
Written by Bill Smith
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