Installing a faucet is much easier than it sounds. If you follow some simple steps you can learn how to install a faucet – like an oil rubbed bronze faucet -and have your old one replaced with a stunning new one in no time.
Whiter in your bathroom or kitchen there is nothing worse than a leaky faucet, so follow these steps closely and before you know it you’ll know how to install a faucet and have your new faucet in place and ready to go.
1. Shutting off your water
Figuring out how to install a faucet isn’t the most complicated thing in the world, the first step to installing a new faucet is simply disconnecting the old one. But, before that you will want to do it shutoff the water to the faucet.
This can be done in one of two ways. If there is a shut off valve under the sink you can simply turn it to the off position. But, if there isn’t one, of you can’t find it you will have to shut off the main water supply to your home.
If you don’t happen to have shut off valves under the sink you can install new ones when your old sink is disconnected, though it has become a standard in recent years it is not 100 percent necessary to have them.
2. Disconnecting your water lines
The next thing you need to do is disconnect the hot and cold water lines running to the faucet. An adjustable wrench is a great tool for this job. If you want to replace your water lines you will want to disconnect them at your shut off valve, or where-ever they originate if you don’t have a shut off valve.
If you’re going to reuse the old water lines you can simply disconnect them from the sink itself.
3. Removing the old faucet
The next step is to actually remove your faucet. If it is top mounted there will be nuts under the sink that hold it in place. Locking pliers can be beneficial if you’re low on space in this area. However, if your facet happens to be bottom mounted then it will have nuts holding it in place underneath the handles.
If there is caulk or silicone around your faucet you will want to remove all that remains and clean the surface thoroughly before installing your new faucet, a utility knife can help you in doing this.
4. Installing your faucet
It is easy to install a bottom mounted facet. You essentially just line it up where the old one is and tighten it. A good tip is to line it up with the front and tighten it by hand, but then make sure it is lined up in the rear and tighten it the rest of the way with your wrench.
You will then want to run a bead of silicone or caulking along your sink to make sure no water gets under the faucet and it is firmly sealed in place. How to install a faucet that is top mounted will be along the same lines. But, since you’ll have to lay under the sink to access the faucet it is a good idea to have someone else over top of the facet to make sure it is perfectly lined up before you thoroughly tighten it.
5. Reconnect your water lines
You will then want to reconnect your water lines. Be sure you have them on tight so they will not leak. You will then want to remove the aerator from your faucet, turn your water back on, and run the tap.
This will help clean out anything in the faucet and let you know if you’ve got everything installed properly. Running it for a couple of minutes should be sufficient to make sure your facet is cleaned out and see if it has any leaks. If there are any leaks tighten them, but if not you’ve just successfully learned how to install a faucet.
6. Replacing the sink and faucet together
Of course this is only worth doing if you’re already planning on replacing your sink. Just keep in mind that if you replace them both at the same time you’ll have to do less maneuvering under the sink, as everything will be pretty accessible. Since in most cases the faucet connects to the sink it’s only natural that one would replace both simultaneously.
But, many people don’t realize that if you’re replacing one and contemplating replacing the other that it is often much easier to do both at the same time. How to install a faucet is the same with or without the sink there, but without the sink in place you just have a lot more room to work with and get it lined up just right.
Know when you can’t get it done
Installing a faucet isn’t rocket science. But, after reading how to install a faucet if you’re still lost when you look under the sink, then maybe this is not the job for you. Each specific individual has things that they are good at.
So, it is important to know when you are not going to be able to do a job. Most all home improvement jobs that go terribly wrong start in this way. Logic would dictate that if you do not know and cannot figure out what something is that it is better left to a professional.
You wouldn’t open up your home’s circuit breaker and proceed trying to put in a new breaker if you thought there was a chance you’d electrocute yourself. So, do yourself a favor and if plumbing just isn’t for you call a professional to ensure your home has running water in the future.