Shopping checklist
Replace a kitchen or bathroom faucet
2 hours · Moderate · 8 steps
Materials
| Done | Item | Quantity | SKU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen faucetFor a kitchen sink; match the number of holes | 1 | Ask | ||
| Bathroom (lavatory) faucetFor a bathroom sink; centerset (4 in) or widespread (8 in) | 1 | Ask | ||
| Braided faucet supply linesMany faucets include them; check the box first | 2 | Ask | ||
| Plumber's puttyOnly if the faucet instructions call for it | 1 tub | Ask | ||
| Angle stop, 1/2 x 3/8 in compressionOnly if a shutoff drips or won't close | 1 per bad valve | 052151060037 | $10.39 | |
| Clear safety glassesFor working face-up under the sink | 1 pair | 641817001011 | $12.99 |
Tools
- Basin wrench
- Two adjustable wrenches
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Bucket and towels
- Putty knife
- Non-scratch scrub pad and white vinegar
- Screwdriver
Before you start
- Shut off both valves and open the faucet to confirm the water is off before you loosen anything.
- Wear safety glasses under the sink. Scale, rust, and water fall straight down when you loosen old nuts.
- If the cabinet holds a garbage disposal, unplug it or turn off its breaker before you reach near it.
- Plastic nuts and fittings crack when overtightened. Go hand-tight plus a quarter turn, then check for drips.
- Lift with your legs when you get up from under the sink, and use a folded towel to pad the cabinet edge under your back.
Prices are current as of printing and may change. Bring this list to the counter, or call (928) 669-9254. If we don't have it, we can order it.
Replace a kitchen or bathroom faucet
Swap a dripping or dated faucet for a new one at the kitchen or bathroom sink. Most of the work is lying under the sink; the new faucet goes in fast.
- Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Category
- Plumbing
- Steps
- 8
Before you start
- Shut off both valves and open the faucet to confirm the water is off before you loosen anything.
- Wear safety glasses under the sink. Scale, rust, and water fall straight down when you loosen old nuts.
- If the cabinet holds a garbage disposal, unplug it or turn off its breaker before you reach near it.
- Plastic nuts and fittings crack when overtightened. Go hand-tight plus a quarter turn, then check for drips.
- Lift with your legs when you get up from under the sink, and use a folded towel to pad the cabinet edge under your back.
Step by step
- 1
Count the holes before you buy
Look under the sink and count the holes in the sink or counter. A kitchen sink usually has one to four; a bathroom sink usually has one, or three set 4 inches (centerset) or 8 inches (widespread) apart. Buy a faucet that fits that layout, or one with a deck plate to cover the extra holes.
- 2
Shut off the water and clear the cabinet
Empty the cabinet and turn both shutoff valves under the sink clockwise until they stop. Open the faucet to drain the lines and confirm the water is off. If a valve won't close or drips, plan to replace it now; that means shutting off the main water to the house first.
- 3
Photograph and disconnect
Take a photo of how everything is hooked up. Put a bucket under the valves and unscrew the supply lines from the valves. On a kitchen pull-down faucet, unclip the spray hose from its weight and quick-connect fitting.
- 4
Remove the old faucet
Lie on your back with a flashlight and loosen the mounting nuts under the sink with a basin wrench. Old nuts are often fused with mineral scale; a little penetrating oil and patience help. Lift the old faucet out from the top.
- 5
Clean the sink deck
Scrape off old putty and caulk with a putty knife. Parker's hard water leaves white scale around faucet bases; soak a rag in white vinegar, lay it over the scale for 30 minutes, then scrub it off with a non-scratch pad. The new gasket needs a clean, flat surface to seal.
- 6
Set the new faucet
Follow the faucet's instructions for the seal: most use a rubber gasket or deck plate, and some call for a ring of plumber's putty instead. Feed the supply lines and hose through the holes, set the faucet straight, and have a helper hold it from above while you tighten the mounting hardware from below.
- 7
Connect the drain and supply lines
For a bathroom faucet with a new pop-up drain, install the drain as the instructions show and connect the lift rod. Attach the supply lines to the valves, hot on the left and cold on the right, hand-tight plus a quarter turn with a wrench. On a pull-down kitchen faucet, connect the spray hose and clip the weight onto it.
- 8
Flush the lines and check for leaks
Unscrew the aerator from the spout. Open the valves slowly and run hot and cold water for a minute to flush out scale and debris knocked loose during the job. Screw the aerator back on, then check every connection under the sink with a dry paper towel. Check again the next morning.
Pro tip
Replace the supply lines every time you replace a faucet, even if the old ones look fine. A braided line is a few dollars; a burst one under the sink while you're at work is a new cabinet and floor.