ROSIE ON THE HOUSE

Here’s how to replace your kitchen faucet

Oct 17, 2024, 4:30 PM

Kitchen faucet...

Replace the hoses with braided steel hoses and brass fittings. Avoid plastic parts. (iStock Photo)

(iStock Photo)

That old faucet has been there since the house was first built. It has performed well over the years, but now it’s kinda leaky, maybe even a little grungy from hard water build up and it is hard to pivot from sink to sink. Maybe you just want a new style of faucet. Whatever your reasons are, it’s time to change out the kitchen faucet. So, where do you start?

Research

Whether online, at your local hardware store, or in a plumbing showroom, step one is to decide what functionality you are looking for. There are thousands of faucet styles available. Knowing what you want will make the search easier. Things to think about are:

• Handles | Do you want a hot and cold handle or a single-handle mixing valve?
• Faucet heads | Options include spigot style, straight, or gooseneck, on a swivel or fixed.
• Spray options | Traditionally, the sprayer is part of the faucet. A popular feature allows the sprayer to be pulled out from the head, making cleaning the sink and rinse veggies easy.
• Finish | Updating the finish of your faucet can give the whole kitchen a lift. Traditional finishes like brushed nickel are still popular. Faucets in champagne or matt black can change the look of your kitchen. Add matching door hardware for a quick updated look.
• Quality | Don’t waste your money on faucets with plastic parts. Spend the extra money for a brass fixture as the life expectancy will be much longer!
• Forensic research | You will have to look under your sink directly beneath the faucet to determine how many holes there are in the sink deck. You will need to know this as you research your faucet selection. These holes decide whether or not you will be able to select a faucet with hot and cold handles (a three-hole sink deck), or you will need one with an internal mixing valve (a single-hole sink deck).

Out with the old

You have selected your faucet, taken it out of the box, and are ready to replace the old faucet. Here are some tips for removing the old:

• You will need a plumbers basin wrench, screwdriver, and a pair of pliers.
• Turn off the water. This is typically done at the angle stops, those small handles under the sink that supply hot and cold water.
• Disconnect the supply lines from directly below the faucet.
• Remove the old faucet. It is attached to the sink deck by either a large nut attached to the threaded stem of the faucet or screws to a bracket. Both are on the underside of the sink.

Once you remove them, the old faucet should lift off the sink deck.

Tip: If your faucet connection is corroded, you may have to use a deep penetrating oil spray to loosen it. Don’t force the connection to the faucet stem or the supply connections.
We would recommend replacing the flexible supply lines while you are under the sink. We recommend only braided steel with brass fasteners not plastic!

In with the new

Installing the new faucet should be a reverse of the action you just took to remove the old one. It is always wise to read the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid missing a step.

• Start by cleaning the sink deck of any remaining gasket or plumber putty material from the sink deck.
• Place the new faucet on the new gasket on the sink deck. The holes in the sink will line up with the design of the new faucet.
• Attach the nut or bracket to the main faucet stem and secure it.
• Attach the supply lines to the new faucet connection points.
• Once all is secured, turn the water back on to see if any leaking occurs. If so, turn the water off, disconnect the leaking line, and use some plumber’s tape on the threads. Reconnect the part, making sure you align the threads.

Tip: If you are removing a three-hole faucet and replacing it with a single-hole mixing valve faucet, you can purchase decorative plugs that can fill the exposed holes. If your sink is not stainless steel, contact your manufacturer to get plugs matching your colored sink.

Enjoy your new faucet!

Let us know if you found this article helpful. Please drop us a note at info@rosieonthehouse.com.

Your input always helps us serve you better.

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Here’s how to replace your kitchen faucet