Learn how to replace a kitchen faucet so you’re able to upgrade your kitchen in an hour or less .
Anthony - Masterson
The kitchen spigot is one of the most - used bathymetry fixtures in your family . It ’s used for food preparation and cleanup spot , as well as countless design throughout the Clarence Day . But over time , faucets begin to show signs of article of clothing , like low urine pressure , faulty valves , leaks , or even cracks in the body of the spigot .
Credit:Anthony-Masterson
When a faucet breaks down , it put the intact kitchen at danger of water damage . So , it ’s practiced to replace the defective faucet as soon as you notice important signs of article of clothing and rent . Fortunately , replacing a kitchen faucets , includingtouchless faucets , is a relatively easygoing job for an experienced DIYer . By following these uncomplicated steps , you’re able to con how to replace a kitchen spigot altogether ( or bushel it ) on your own . And do n’t worry , we ’ll also tell you when to turn to a professional plumber for help .
How to Choose a New Kitchen Faucet
A kitchen spigot successor does n’t take long , so you ’ll want to have all the necessary parting on paw before you begin . Whenselecting a unexampled kitchen faucet , view all the necessary design ingredient — like the spout height , spout reach , figure of yap in the sink , handle type , and sprayer character .
Spout Height
For the spout height and reach , keep in thinker the sizing of your swallow hole and any confinement , like overhead cabinet . Otherwise , you could end up with a new faucet that does n’t go under the cabinets or is n’t long enough to get to the majority of the sinkhole .
Holes
likewise , you should look for a new kitchen faucet that ’s compatible with the number of holes in your sink . Most kitchen spigot kits come with a base home plate to get over up any surplus holes , but if the sink does n’t have enough holes , you may need to find a compatible product or attempt to drill or cut extra yap through the cesspool or countertop .
Handle and Sprayer
Handle and sprayer options are nearly sempiternal these days , so consider your needs and daily tasks to retrieve the full fit . you could choose for single - handle or bivalent - handle designs , depend on your penchant . Some faucet come with pull - down sprayers that extend down from the end of the faucet . Others occur with twist - out spray housed separately from the main faucet . Weigh your preferences and consider your infinite and cesspit configuration before determine which one is right for you .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet
Prepare the Area
get this simple project by opening the cabinets under the sink and clear out any items so you have place to work . set a towel on the bottom of the cabinet and put a pail under the blistering and cold water system lines to catch any drip . If you have a refuse disposal , plough off or disconnect the powerbefore proceeding .
Turn Off Water
With the field organize , twist off the waterto the kitchen sump by turn the valve located on the blistering and frigid water line of reasoning . close these valve will cut off water to the sink , but will not deform off the water system to any other faucets , showers , or fixtures in the home . start the spigot to drain some of the water from the fix and still the press on the lines .
Disconnect Water Lines
Use a hardening of Channellock pair of pliers to loosen the nuts on the hot and cold H2O lines until they are loose enough that you could operate them with your finger’s breadth . Detach one hosepipe at a time , see to it that any superfluous water is drained into the bucket . If you have a atomiser , take this chance to disconnect the weewee line from the atomiser as well .
Remove Old Faucet
Once the water lines are disconnected , employ the Channellock pliers to loosen the lock nuts on the radix of the faucet . These nuts secure the spigot to the sink . After removing the locking nut , lift the old faucet out of the cesspit and place it in the bucketful .
Prepare New Faucet for Installation
Typically , a spigot outfit get with instructions for installation provide by the manufacturing business . In some cases , the producer may suggest adding plumber ’s mag tape to the duds to create a better seal , while other products may suggest against this . Check the manufacturer ’s steering for your specific ware to see if plumber ’s magnetic tape is necessary .
If you need plumber ’s tape for your kitchen faucet , wrap the thread of the piddle demarcation connection two to three metre . Before proceeding , view using a multipurpose product to scrub any grunge , grime , or residual leave alone on the sink from the sometime faucet and toclean the kitchen drainsas well .
Cover Extra Sink Holes
Depending on the telephone number of swallow hole cakehole require for the new kitchen faucet , you might find there ’s an extra , idle swallow hole hole . This extra hole can be overcompensate with clipping ring or a deck of cards home , instead of leaving a hole in the countertop . Alternatively , you may apply an extra muddle to install a ramp up - in soap dispenser or a sink sprayer .
Secure the Faucet
Slide the water line hosiery and the new spigot down through the kettle of fish in the sink . If you have a exclusive - handle spigot , all of the ancestry will accede through the same cardinal hole . If you have a two - treat spigot or a spigot and nebuliser frame-up , you may end up threading the hoses through the holes on either side of the primal maw .
Once the spigot is in property , attach the lock up nuts to the radical of the faucet . script - tighten the operate nuts , then apply Channellock pliers to stop tightening up the nuts . verify not to overtighten these parts to ward off cracking the nuts .
Reconnect Water Lines
link the hosiery for the moth-eaten piss to the cold pee line and link the hosiery for the hot H2O to the hot water melodic line , then use your plier to tighten the nuts on these connection . If the young kitchen faucet has a atomizer , connect the sprayer hose to the stand of the faucet , and use the pliers to tighten up the connectedness , if necessary .
Remove the Aerator
shit , dust , and other debris can get trap in the line , creating flow and pressure problems , so before try the new spigot , it ’s advocate to remove the aerator from the faucet release and become on the faucet . This will allow any detritus in the transmission line to flow out of the spigot when the water system is turned back on .
Turn the Water On
Double - check the water line of reasoning connections to ascertain they ’re snug , then wrench on the cold water valve and the hot body of water valve . If you leave behind the spigot in the open stance as suggest , the water will course into the faucet and force out any trapped tune or debris in a brief splutter that should take place within a few seconds . When the water number out in a smooth flow , you’re able to turn off the spigot and reattach the aerator .
Test for Leaks
Check all connections under the sink and at the base of the spigot to ensure the repair was successful . If you ’re concerned about any connection or potential leaks , use your plyer to tighten the nut . Consider depart the pail and towel under the sump for an 60 minutes or two or until you may confirm the fresh cesspit is leak - free .
When to Call a Professional
Plumbing can be irregular . You might start the cabinet under the sink expect a relatively straightforward job and terminate up with a plumbing nightmare . In these post , it ’s best to refer with a professional pipe fitter to forefend high-priced misunderstanding .
For example , you might chance on that the hot and inhuman body of water line leading to your kitchen faucet do n’t have self-governing shut - off valve . If this is the case , you may still complete the job by become off the body of water to the intact abode . If you ca n’t observe themain shut - off valveor find it is inoperable , contact a professional for help .
You might also require a plumber if your water note are leaking or your valves have seized . Some experienced DIYers can handle these problems , but if you do n’t have a lot of plumbing cognition , it ’s best tocall in a contractoror plumber . A professional can cursorily ready the issue before it causes extensive water equipment casualty , wood hogwash , and mold outgrowth .
Frequently Asked Questions
vernacular spigot cherry flag let in dripping , leak , clog dancing , slow piddle press , and too tight or escaped grip . However , the sign of trouble may not be externally visible . bear - out faucets may also have degrade or worn - out internal parts , like connectors or tube .
If you ’re content with yourkitchen layoutand everything works as it ’s supposed to ( including the swallow hole , pipes , and electrical wires ) a kitchen faucet should last at least 10 or 15 twelvemonth . However , if there ’s a leakage , rust , or major issues as stated above ( or if you simply want to update the look of your kitchen ) do so before any other problems go up .
No , kitchen faucet size are not ecumenical , but most faucet holes are 1 3/8 inches ( 35 mm ) in diam . Common kitchen faucet sizes are 8 - inch , 10 - inch , and 12 - inch , but there are other sizes available . So , appraise your outer space and your sink before purchasing a new spigot .
