Whether you are experiencing a leak or you just want to upgrade your kitchen, replacing a kitchen faucet is one of the easiest DIY projects out there.
You just need a few tools and in less than an hour, you will be using your newly installed kitchen faucet.
Learning how to install a kitchen faucet will come in handy during emergencies and save you cash since you don’t need to call a professional plumber.
Before you get started, ensure you have all the right tools for the job. With that said, here is a step-by-step guide on how to install a kitchen faucet.
Remove the Supply Lines
Before anything else, you should first disconnect or shut down both the cold and hot water supply lines. If you fail to do this, you will end up with a watery mess and the job may even take longer than it should.
Normally, you just need to shut off the water at the valves. However, if your house does not have cut-off valves for the kitchen sink, then you will be forced to shut down the entire water supply coming to the house.
You should consider adding cut-off valves as you install the new faucet. It’s also advisable to inspect the pipes supplying the faucet. If they are also faulty, then you should also take this opportunity to replace them.
Also, check for corroded or worn out parts and replace them accordingly.
Remove the Old Kitchen Faucet
Before installing the best kitchen faucets, you first need to remove the older or existing one. As noted earlier, this is usually the hardest part of the process.
You might come across corroded parts or some that are tough to move due to joint sealants.
You need to be patient and smart here. If there is a garbage disposer, you should first disconnect it. Unplug it and then disconnect its discharge line.
Place a 1-gallon paint tin under the garbage disposer together with some rags to minimize damage when it comes off. Once you have removed the garbage disposer, you also need to detach all the water lines under the sink.
Having removed all those appliances, use a basin wrench to remove the old faucet. If you have managed to remove the old faucet, you are now ready to install the new one.
Before you do that, ensure you clean up the sink area and remove any corrosion or sealant residue.
Installing the New Faucet
After removing the old faucet, you will come across open holes. They can be either one or three. Regardless of the number of holes your sink has, ensure your newly purchased faucet comes with the right equipment to cover them.
If your single has a single hole, you will require a spout-based gasket. Pass the hoses attached to your faucet through this gasket while ensuring proper alignment with the faucet’s bottom.
On the other hand, if your sink features three holes, then you should use a deck plate. A deck plate is a rectangular piece of metal, featuring a hole in the middle as well as two stoppers on both sides.
You will use the same process described above to connect the hoses to the deck plate.
Once you have attached the gasket or deck plate beneath the faucet, pass the hoses that come with your faucet through the hole in the sink.
Ensure the faucet assembly is in line with the sink. You should also make sure that everything is aligned according to the installation instructions.
At this stage, all the holes in your kitchen sink should be covered completely. If your sink or countertop is below half an inch, then you should use the support bracket included in the installation kit.
Slide the bracket from the underside of the sink over the faucet’s hoses while ensuring it’s aligned with the sunk base. Secure the bracket firmly in place.
On the other hand, if your sink or countertop is more than half an inch, then you don’t need to use a bracket.
Regardless of the thickness of your sink, the installation kit of the best kitchen faucets should include a metal circular washer.
Slide it over the hoses until it touches the sink or bracket. Using the nut provided in the installation kit, slide it up the faucet’s shank and then use your fingers to tighten it as much as you can.
This nut should be as tight as possible since it secures the faucet in place. If loosely done, your faucet will be moving all over the place.
Wrapping Up
Once you have secured the faucet firmly in place, attach the included spray nozzle hose and then push it through. It should go all the way to the bottom of your faucet’s base.
Once you have completed that process, apply plumber’s putty to the bases of the water valves. Insert the valves, add C-rings and then tighten the nuts beneath with your fingers.
Finish the work with a basin wrench to ensure the nuts are as tight as possible. Connect water supply lines to your newly installed kitchen faucet and replace all the appliances you had removed beneath the kitchen sink.
Place some paper towels under the kitchen sink, turn on the water and check for leaks. If there are any leaks, tighten the affected nuts and that should solve the problem.
As you can see, installing a kitchen faucet is not as hard as it appears. As long as you are familiar with the tools you are using and you have some basic mechanical knowledge, you should be through within 30 minutes.