A Step-by-Step Guide to Faucet Installation for Beginners

Although most people might consider faucet installation a complex job, especially for those who have never embarked on any do-it-yourself home improvement project before, it is quite a job that every individual can do on their own with some help from experts or a guide on how to go about it. If you’re repairing an old faucet or you’re doing DIY faucet installation, this article will guide you step by step.

The Tools You Required for Faucet Installation

Here's what you'll need:

Adjustable Wrench: To connect and disconnect.

Basin wrench: the piece of equipment that has been specifically aimed at reaching behind sinks.

Plumber’s Putty: This is used to make a watertight seal.

Teflon tape: Often referred to as plumber tape, it eliminates the chances of leakage.

Bucket or Towel: To catch any water drips.

Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers: For removing screws from the parts of the faucet.

Pipe Wrench: For tightening and losing far-off connections.

Pliers: Made convenient for holding in order to twist.

Silicone Sealant: To create a small hole around the faucet to create a tight fit.

What is valuable in owning these tools is that they prepare you for each process of the faucet installation.

Procedure on How to Remove the Old Faucet

Faucet replacement begins by extracting the old faucet. Here’s how you can do it safely and efficiently:

Turn off the Water Supply 

First of all, find where the water supply inlet is located and shut it off with the stop valves found under the sink. If you can’t find them, it may be necessary to turn off the water supply for the entire house.

Drain the Faucet

Open the tap to get rid of the remaining water. This will help in avoiding spillage with respect to the water supply connections.

Disconnect Water Lines 

Before removing the stem, shut off the water supply by loosening the overhead supply line with an adjustable wrench. If you still notice that there is water in the basin after washing your hands, put a bucket or a towel at the base of the faucet so that it can catch all the water that drips down the sink.

Take Out the Old Faucet 

Below the sink, there are mounting nuts, which fit the faucets in place. Two of these nuts require the use of a basin wrench in order to be removed. After the nuts are removed, simply twist the old faucet counterclockwise and pull it up.

Clean the Sink Surface

Wipe the space around the sink where the old faucet used to be installed from any dirt, residues, or plumber’s putty that may be present.

Wondering how to install a faucet? Don’t worry! We got you!

Installing the New Faucet: Step-by-Step Instructions

Insert the Faucet 

Mount the new faucet in the holes of your sink. But if the new faucet has a gasket, you should ensure that it is well placed in the correct position. If there is no gasket available, then around the base, one can apply the plumber’s putty so that the water does not leak.

Lock the Faucet Below

Underneath the sink go ahead and screw the mounting nuts onto the faucet tailpieces. Tighten those by hand and then use the wrench to get those tightened even further. Remember not to screw it on too tightly.

Water Supply Connections 

Connect the hot and cold water hose pipes to the faucet. One should use Teflon tape to cover the threads, and then use the adjustable wrench to tighten it up.

Mount the Faucet Handles (if possible) 

Most of the time, you simply bolt them onto the valve bodies and use screws to fasten them.

Attachment of Drain Assembly 

If you get a matching drain assembly kit with your faucet, then you should get rid of the old one and install the new one. Cut a strip of plumber's putty and wrap it around the drain flange; place the drain flange into the sink hole; and screw the mounting nut from underneath.

Water Supply Connection 

Again, to restore the flow, open the shutoff valves located under the sink.

How to Look for Leaks After Faucet Installation 

In order to prevent faucet leakages, the faucet should be checked for leaks after installation is done. Here's how to inspect your work:

Turn On the Faucet. 

Turn in both the hot and the cold water to see whether you detect any dripping around the base of the faucet or underneath the sink.

Check the Connections. 

In addition, check the water supply lines and faucet tailpieces, particularly for any leaks or water stains.

Inspect the Drain. 

Also, if you fitted a new drain assembly, you should check below the sink for leakages as you top the sink full of water and let the water out.

If you encounter any of them, you just tighten them up carefully with the wrench. However, do not overtighten them, as the fittings are likely to be damaged.

Errors Most Installers Make When Fixing Faucets

While installing a faucet is a straightforward DIY project, there are some common mistakes to avoid:

Not Turning Off the Water 

If you forget to switch off the water supply, you will end up damaging the faucet.

Skipping Teflon Tape

The omission of Teflon tape on threaded connections results in leaks. Before applying water supply lines, be sure to encase the threads.

Tightening nuts and bolts to hazardous levels 

Excessive tightening can lead to cracking of faucet components or stripping threads of the faucet in order to fix the faucet adequately.

Ignoring Leaks 

Just a single drip can cause huge water damage in the long run. Another usually ignored aspect is that any leaks must be handled as soon as possible.

Improper Placement of Drain: This is one of the main issues that most homeowners or construction contractors face. If the drain has not been fitted properly, you may find water collecting at the base of the sink. To avoid any leaks, apply the plumber’s putty around the drain flange.

Replacing a faucet doesn’t take a lot of time, especially if you have the right equipment, time, and patience. Another thing that you should do is to read the instructions carefully to avoid leakage; if any, you should fix it quickly to ensure your replacement of the faucet is successful.