Remove
the old Faucet
Step
1: Shut off the water.
You can turn off the main water valve, or turn off the
two valves immediately under the faucet you are
replacing. Then, open the faucet and allow it to drain
and release any pressure.
Step
2: Disconnect the water supply lines..
If you choose not to replace the lines, disconnect
them from the faucet only. If you choose to replace
them, disconnect the lines from the shutoff valve. We
would recommend that you change them now since you are
already going through the trouble of replacing the
faucet. It just might save you an extra trip under the
sink later on down the road.
Step
3: Remove the faucet from the sink..
Bottom mount faucets are removed from above. For
these, the handles and escutcheons must be removed to
get to the nuts which secure the faucet in place. Top
mount faucets are held in place by nuts located
underneath the sink, and must therefore be removed
from below. The nuts may be loosened using waterpump
pliers or a special basin wrench. The basin wrench is
necessary when the area in which the nut is located is
too tight to allow the use of pliers. If it is an old
sink and the nuts are rusted or corroded in place,
apply penetrating oil and allow it to work into the
threads before trying to remove the nuts. Once the
faucet has been removed, a build-up of scum may be
present on the sink in the area where the faucet plate
or escutcheons were attached. Clean it off with a
50-50 solution of vinegar and water. Scrape it away
with a razor blade and/or scouring pad.
Installing
the New Faucet Top-mounted Faucet:
Step
1: Apply a bead of plumber's putty or silicon caulk
around the perimeter of the faucet base. Faucets that
have rubber or plastic gaskets for the base do not
require this step.
Step
2: Ease the faucet into place, pressing against the
putty to assure a good seal.
Step
3: Under the sink, install the washers and mounting
nuts on the tailpieces, tightening the nuts by hand.
Step
4: Align the faucet with the back of the sink and
tighten the mounting nuts with waterpump pliers, an
adjustable wrench or a basin wrench. Wipe away excess
putty or caulk from around the base.
Bottom-mounted
Faucet:
Step 1: From under the sink, hold the faucet in place.
Step
2: Install the washers and mounting nuts, tightening
the nuts by hand. Align the faucet with the back of
the sink and tighten the mounting nuts with waterpump
pliers or a wrench.
Step
3: Run a bead of plumber's putty along the base of the
escutcheons and screw them in place.
Step
4: Install the faucet handles.
The one marked hot should go on the left. Wipe away
excess putty from around the base of the escutcheons.
