A kitchen faucet is a must have, obviously, because that’s your source of water. And as such, if it breaks somehow, that can pose a problem.
You could get a technician, but do you really want to spend that much? And who knows what type of replacement they’ll be giving you. What if it breaks again?
So, how to change a kitchen faucet?
Fear not, for I’m going to walk you through the process of replacing one. You’ll need some technical knowledge and basic tools. And at the end of this venture, you’ll come out feeling a little bit more self-reliant.
How To Change A Kitchen Faucet
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to replace a kitchen faucet, first let me tell you about what I’m going to do step-by-step.
This might be a little taxing on your patience, but you’ll have a good grasp of everything and won’t have to go through the web for more details.
Preparation
First off, on how to change a kitchen faucet, you need to know the prerequisites. Preparation is key.
Tools
This part is usually a no brainer, but some people don’t keep certain tools that are very basic necessities to your household, surprisingly enough. I advise that you invest in a simple toolset. It will serve you in more than just replacing faucets.
All around the house, you can fix up various things with its help. This is a nifty thing to have.
Wrench
Just a basic wrench is fine. If the nuts are big, maybe get a monkey wrench. You will need this tool to remove the faucet, and then again, to install the new faucet.
This is available under twenty bucks or you could just buy the entire toolset. A toolset is guaranteed to have a wrench.
Recommended reading: What do I Need to Buy to Replace Kitchen Faucet?
Pliers
Both thin and wide sizes are preferred. You usually need pliers when the wrench doesn’t seem to be useful.
Only some screws and bolts do well with wrenches. You might also need pliers to cut certain cords. Again you can find this in any basic toolset you buy from any store.
Screwdriver
Again, it is something you can get from any hardware store or from a toolset. Some faucets have screws, and that is what this is for.
Remember to get a large one. Faucets usually have large screws.
Flashlight
When you’re peering down the pipes you’ll need some light source. If you have a headlamp somehow, then you’re good but chances are, you don’t.
A flashlight is a very general purpose utility device and you should definitely have one at your home, regardless.
Safety Glasses
Now, this is something I see that is overlooked in many guides. Safety is very important.
What if some debris got into your eyes?
Even a shot of high-pressure water can potentially damage them. Even regular glasses are enough but if you wanna go the whole nine yards, get safety goggles.
Patience
I put this in here because not all of us can get it done perfectly but that’s no reason to quit. This might not go smoothly but that’s okay, not everyone exactly excels at replacing a kitchen faucet the very first time.
You are allowed to make mistakes.
How To Remove A Kitchen Faucet
Let’s get on to the first step; how to remove a kitchen faucet. Follow these directions. Put on your safety glasses and let’s begin!
Step 1
Identify your faucet. It might have a sprayer, or not. You might need to learn to replace a single handle kitchen faucet or even a double handled one.
It might have one hole or multiple holes.
You need to know what kind it is in order to proceed from that. If you misidentify it, you’ll end up getting the wrong replacement faucet.
Step 2
Look for nuts on the underside of the table. Each nut should indicate a hole. While it is possible to have a faucet with fewer holes fit into it, the opposite is not.
You could seal up some pipes and make room but you can’t just produce extra pipes from the extra holes.
Step 3
Turn off the water flow. Use your hands or the wrench. This should be common sense. Unless you want your whole kitchen flooding, secure the main water supply tightly.
Step 4
Next, we are going to be unscrewing the faucet component. You might need the flashlight to illuminate your way in there. Look for the nuts that hold the faucet piece in place.
Give it a twist and it should come off.
Use the pliers if you want to be more precise about it. If there is a spray component, dismantle that too.
Step 5
While you are at it, you should see a frame that holds the faucet in place and supports it. Take that off too, as it will get in the way. Pull that out with your fingers.
Step 6
Take out the hose. This provides the water supply to the sink. However, most faucets come with their own hose so you will take that off as well.
Step 7
Next, you’re going to pull out the hose as well. Unfasten them from the supply line using your wrench and take the help of the pliers if you need to.
Step 8
And now for the final step. Take the faucet out. Remove it completely.
Recommended reading: My Kitchen Faucet Won’t Turn Off – What Should I Do?
Choosing A New Kitchen Faucet
Now before we get into the instructions on how to install a kitchen faucet, let us talk about the options.
Just a disclaimer: Choose wisely, you’ll only be able to get a faucet that has similar type as your former. Don’t get something that won’t fit.
While there are many variations, the main ones that you can get are either a single or double handle faucet. They both have their respective claims to fame.
Single Handle Faucet
The single handle faucet is simple. It has only one handle and it functions by mixing the cold and hot water together.
While some people don’t like that setting and want more versatility, the single handle faucet is still worth mentioning.
It has a very classic look that many people prefer over the double handle faucet.
Double Handle Faucet
While the double handle faucet does give up on the supposed classic look it does make up with functionality.
Two mainline supplies that carry warm and cold water are controlled by the two handles and that means that you can have full control over what kind of water you want.
How To Install A Kitchen Faucet
Alright, let’s get into the final step on how to change a kitchen faucet. You should have bought the faucet of your choice and gotten to dive right in. So put on those safety glasses and grab your new faucet and let’s begin.
Step 1
Set it up on the holes in the sink. Make sure that they line up accordingly and make sure that the holes fit. You’re just making an overall analysis now. It should be the same type as your previous one.
Step 2
Mount the faucet on to the sink. Use the screwdriver to screw it in. You should find this easier. Tighten it. Once the faucet is set, work with the sprayer.
Step 3
The sprayer has quite a few parts. Use the instructions given to assemble the sprayer. Join it to the hose. Use the wrench or your finger to fix the sprayer on to the sink.
Step 4
Next, we’ll work on the hose of the faucet. Now here’s where the difference in single or double handle faucets come in. You are to fit both the hot and cold water hoses into the single handle faucet.
But with the double handle faucet, you put them in individual spots. Use your wrench to screw it tight and you can secure it further with the pliers.
Step 5
Hook the hoses up to the supply lines. Don’t turn them on just yet though, we have other stuff to do before that.
Step 6
Now, before we let the water run, we have to prepare the faucet. Basically what you do is open it up, and see if everything is in order. Water should be able to flow smoothly. We are going to be rinsing the faucet to get rid of any dirt and ensure that it flows properly.
Step 7
Let the water run. Look down to see if it leaks anywhere. If any bolts drip water, tighten them up. If that doesn’t work, then you’ll have to replace them. Open the faucet. The water should run smoothly. Let it run for about a minute to get rid of all the dirt.
Step 8
Run some final checkups, look for loose fittings and leaks. Tighten all the nuts and bolts to make everything secure.
Congratulations! You have a brand new kitchen faucet.
All in All
This should be comprehensive enough for most typical types of faucets. If you have something custom made, these will still apply, maybe just not to the letter. Thanks for bearing with me.
I hope this guide will be of help to you. Good luck.
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