Faucet Replacement in 4 Easy Steps
If you want to make a useful home improvement that is affordable and easy for you to do, you can choose to do a faucet replacement and replace an old faucet with a new one. This will immediately improve the aesthetics of an old room and get rid of the irritating noise that a dripping and leaky faucet produces.
The first step that you would have to take in faucet replacement is to consider what the right faucet is. Of course, nowadays, faucets come in all types, styles, sizes, and combinations. But other than that, what you should really be worrying about is whether the new faucet will fit the old sink.
Also bear in mind that there are different methods used for different supply connections. Find out what supply connection your faucet uses - whether it has a flexible copper supply inlet located in the center of unit, or located under hot and cold handles.
Before anything else, shut off the main water supply. You can do this by shutting off the control valve found under the sink. It is also recommended that you prepare all the necessary materials beforehand, and don't forget to prepare some penetrating oil in case the mounting nuts are hard to remove, and are stuck. It is also best if you have someone around to help you in handing out the tools as you work. Also, don't forget to plug the drain with rags so that small parts like screws and bolts cannot go down the drain.
- Remove the old fixture
Remove the nuts that secure the hose to the faucet body if your faucet has a sprayer. Also remove nuts that secure spray head to sink. Detach supply lines and keep them out of the way. Use your wrench to remove the mounting nuts that hold the faucet body to the sink. You can use penetrating oil if it's stuck.
Lift the faucet. Scrape mineral build up and putty from the top of the sink.
- Attach new faucet to the sink
You can use a rope of plumber's putty or install a gasket either to the sink or to the faucet. Put the new faucet in place, making sure that it is parallel to the backsplash. Move under the sink and ask someone to hold the faucet for you while you work. Screw on a washer and mounting nut on every inlet, and tighten using basin wrench.
- Connect supply lines
Cover inlet threads with Teflon tape or with pipe joint compound. Afterwards, twist the supply line nut on the inlet and start tightening it, by hand at first, and then by wrench. Connect shutoff valve to the other end of supply line using the same procedure.
If flexible copper inlets are used for water supply, the same applies, except that you have to ascertain that no copper tubes are twisted. The faucet could become destroyed if copper tubes are twisted.
- Connect and adjust the pop-up drain assembly
Insert a ball rod into the opening located in the drain body. Use the nut provided to secure it. Then, slip the rod through clevis strap and use spring clips to secure it. Lower the rod and let it pass through hole near the rear of the faucet sprout and up to the upper end of clevis strap. Tighten thumbscrew lightly at first, adjust rods, and once adjusted, tighten thumbscrews more to set everything in place.
And with that, you have the steps to faucet replacement. Never would you have to call on a plumber again to do the work for you. Just follow the steps religiously, and you'll be Mr. HandyMan in no time.
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