Let’s face it: Your old dripping faucet no longer matches the energy of your kitchen. It is time to replace it, but wouldn’t that require a professional or a lot of knowledge? Contrary to popular belief, installing a new kitchen faucet is simple. In this article, we will go over how you can install or replace your kitchen faucet step by step. Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing (Riverside, CA) today to learn more.
Replacing Your Kitchen Faucet
- Gather The Necessary List of Tools: Before starting the job, you must gather all the necessary gear to complete it. You may need adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, a flashlight, silicone sealant, lock pliers, an Allen wrench set, and a cup. Having these items will make the process go faster and more efficiently.
- Turn off Main Water Supply: Start by shutting off the water supply valves under your sink. Do not forget this step unless you suddenly want water to flood everywhere near your sink. If you can’t find the valve under the sink, you can also shut off the main water valve for the house. Once you shut off the water supply, open the faucet to release all the water and pressure left in the lines.
- Remove the Old Faucet: Now you can start removing the old faucet. Use an adjustable wrench or plier to disconnect the old faucet's hot and cold supply lines. Start by unscrewing the mounting nuts and screws to detach the faucet from the sink. There may be parts held together by a silicone caulk, which you can use a putty knife to cut through. During this process, we recommend covering the sink drain temporarily to prevent any parts of the faucet from falling into the drains.
- Prepare the New Faucet: Unpack the new faucet from its box and lay out all the parts to ensure you have all the necessary pieces.
- Install the New Faucet: Set the faucet's base plate onto the sink. Some faucets have this component, but others may not. Lower the faucet into its place and align it with any pre-drilled holes. It is also recommended to use silicone or caulk to tighten the base of the faucet and prevent minor leaks. Start connecting and tightening the lines with mounting nuts and screws. Tighten these connections firmly with a wrench or a screwdriver, but don’t overtighten.
- Connect the Water Supply Lines: It is time to connect the hot and cold supply lines using compression fittings. Ensure that you attach hot water to the hot water line and cold water to the cold water line. Tighten these connections with wrenches.
- Check for Leaks: Reopen the shut-off valves and turn on the faucet handles. Check for leaks above and below the sink, supply line couplings, base plate, or handle bases.
- Final Cleanups: Lastly, remove excess caulk or silicone and clean the area. Minor rotational adjustments may be needed in the end. You now have a replaced faucet. If you struggled during these steps, don’t force it, as you might damage your sink and faucet. Call a professional plumbing service.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
Are you looking for a plumbing company to help with your faucet replacement? At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we are proud to be a locally owned and operated company in the United States. With our expert plumbers, affordable price plans, and upfront flat-rate pricing, plumbing issues are no longer worrisome. Call us today to learn more about us and our services.
