Author: Kit Stansley | Updated at 9:10 AM, November 30, 2020
Replacing or installing a new faucet is a fairly simple home improvement task, even if it does require temporarily twisting your body into a pretzel shape under the sink. If you can avoid the need to hang out from under the cabinet and tow it (I recommend stretching first), this type of project should take less than an hour.
All sinks consist of the same basic components:
If you must remove an existing faucet, it is always a good idea to assess the situation before you start. If the sink and faucet are old or rusty, it may take more time and tools to remove them. (I always like to put a sledgehammer nearby. You know, just in case!)
Most faucets are connected to the sink with plastic nuts or old models of metal nuts. There are also faucets with bolts on the top, but you will most likely need to wedge yourself into the cabinet under the sink to complete this project.
To remove the old faucet, turn off the water in the pipe under the sink or the main closure of the house. Then remove the water connection and the nut that secures the faucet to the sink.
Tools and materials can be purchased on Amazon – Basin wrench – Teflon tape – Plumber’s putty – Faucet
Before installing the faucet, there should be a seal between the faucet and the sink. Some faucets have plastic or rubber gaskets. If not, you can make a snake with plumber's putty (just like you did with Play-doh when you were a kid) and put it on the sink where the faucet is.
It is very easy to install the faucet on the sink. Simply put the faucet into the appropriate hole (once the gasket or putty is in place), place yourself under the sink, and screw on the plastic nut. If you have used plumber's putty, you can use a spatula or your fingers to remove the excess putty.
Some faucets (such as the Delta Faucet brand) already have a flexible PEX line that connects to the faucet, which makes this step easier because the hose only needs to be connected down at the water pipe. For other types of faucets, you need to connect flexible pipes (available at hardware and plumbing supply stores, lumber yards, and home improvement centers) on the production line, and then connect to the faucet.
When connecting the water pipe, wrap a little Teflon tape around the threads to make everything tightly sealed.
If you have to connect the water pipe to the faucet behind the sink basin near the top of the cabinet, then using a basin wrench will be very worthwhile (check the example on Amazon). Or you can use a normal wrench to solve it. I did it, and it worked well, but there is always the possibility that your fingers are numb and you have dropped a wrench on your head. It's not that I will know firsthand...
After completing this step, you can turn on the water again, check for any leaks, and enjoy the tap water in the sink!
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