Faucet replacement is a wonderfully uncomplicated job that you could do on your own. It is actually one of the home improvements that don’t truly need any expert help. Allow me to share the fundamentals that you need to be familiar with faucet replacement.
Dimensions of a Faucet
To best understand which type of faucet to get from the store, you need to start with a few measurements. Make sure to have your tape measure on hand for this job.
- Should you be working with a double handled faucet, what you should do is take the length from the handles’ center to center, that is the faucet’s size.
- Should you be working with a single-handled faucet, you would need to measure the distance between the water hook-up lines mounted on the faucet’s base.
Once you know the dimensions of the faucet, then you’ll best be able to pick out the faucet you want and make sure it fits, without having to replace the entire sink base.
Deciding on the best Faucet and Prep Work
Before setting off on your faucet replacement- home improvement journey, you need to be prepared as well as have on hand the faucet that you would like to use to upgrade the older one. You should head over to your neighborhood home improvement store and browse through their faucet selection and pick out a faucet that you like. Having the new faucet handy before removing the old one will make the job easier for you.
With the countless contemporary styles currently at the store, you have got an assortment of faucet styles which you can pick from. For the bathtubs and sinks, you will find single or double handled faucet options.
Normally, faucets feature a common diameter with regards to their hook-ups, based on their utilization. For kitchen faucets, you will typically notice models with an 8-inch hookup. Bathroom vanity faucets typically are available in 4 inches, while bathtubs are available in 8 inches.
While replacing a faucet, you might discover a leaky pipe, learn how to repair it here
Tools You’ll Need for Faucet Replacement
Typically, you do not have to use many tools to do this job. The main thing required to use are wrenches to enable you to hold the shut-off valve and remove the supply line which is going to the faucet. Additionally, you need to use channel lock pliers or perhaps a basin wrench. You’ll be utilizing this to remove the big nuts, which connects the faucet to the sink. It will be easiest when you use a basin wrench, because of its specific design which is designed for working in snug areas, exactly like where the faucet is mounted to the sink.
Installing Your Brand New Faucet
First, you need to shut off all of the water supply that may be connected to your faucet. After that, you will need to take off the supply lines coming from each side of the faucet. Following that you must take off the large retainer nuts which are holding the faucet to the sink unit. After you are finished with this, remove the old faucet from the sink. Attempt to clean up the sink and where the old unit was mounted.
Often times, people will have caulked around a faucet, this is easy to remove with a putty knife and some denatured alcohol. Just put some on a cloth and rub it onto the caulk, then use the putty knife to gently scrape away the residue. Keep rubbing the alcohol soaked rag onto the caulk if it is difficult to remove, it will break it down and soften it up, allowing it to be easily scraped off.
Check out the post How to Select the Right Caulk for the Job to learn more about what caulk you should use in a faucet install
When you are finished cleaning up, get the new model and set it in the openings. You could ask somebody to help with this, to ensure that holding it centered while installing the retainer nuts below can be a lot easier.
While connecting the water supply lines, the shut off valves and every other threaded section, use a bit of plumber’s putty or thread tape, it will help fight against any leaks.
When you get the faucet in position and retaining nuts firmly screwed, you can then get the water supply lines connected again. Open the supply lines slowly, give them a turn and when you hear water running, stop and wait until it stops. Doing this allows the water to slowly fill the lines. If you just flip them open, it can be like a shock to the system and may blow out a line or connection. With the water supply open, slowly turn on your faucet, just allowing a little water out, this also allows any air in the lines to escape gently.
Now, sit back and enjoy how nice your faucet replacement looks, you’re on your way to being a Home Improvement Pro!
