Installing a kitchen faucet is not that hard to hire a plumber for it. But not easy enough to DIY effortlessly. But with proper guidance, anyone with basic skills should do it.
So, let’s do a deal. I will take a few minutes from you, and you will get the step-by-step process on how to install kitchen faucet. Seems fine? Deal done then.
In Litro Hub, we offer quality Kitchen, Bathroom, and lighting solutions that excel in elegance, simplicity, and beauty. Today, we will share our detailed guide about installing kitchen faucets.
Let’s jump right into the article.
Is it hard to install a kitchen faucet yourself?
As you are already reading an article about how to replace kitchen faucets, I assume you have decent experience in fixing regular household problems. With a little experience and some basic tools, it is not hard. But sometimes it can cause some challenges that may make the situation challenging.
For instance, if your old faucet is too old and rusty, you may find it difficult to remove it. A broken water turnoff valve or leakage can create messy situations. However, those are kind of rare. So, don’t let those stop you.
Keep reading to learn how to change your kitchen faucet.
How to install kitchen faucet : 7 steps guide
First thing first, choose a weekend or holiday morning to replace your old kitchen faucet. Don’t pick odd times like the middle of the night. Why? If any issue arises, you can simply call your nearby plumber to handle the situation.
We will break down the steps into small but detailed steps.
Let’s start-
Step 1: Preparation and Tools.
An adjustable wrench, plumber putty, putty knife, and Teflon tapes are the basic tools for installing your kitchen faucet. A water bucket, safety goggles, and kitchen aprons can come in handy. While installed under the sink, the apron can protect you from dirt and stains.
You may also keep some cleaning tools such as a scrubber, general-purpose cleaner, and a microfiber cloth. Those items will come in handy before installing your new faucet.
We recommend having a helping hand for kitchen faucet installation (no kids please). Someone who can hand over your tools, hold stuff and check if you are doing it correctly.
Let’s make a list-
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber putty
- Putty knife
- Teflon tapes
- Water bucket and
- Cleaning stuffs
Step 2: Remove the water lines
First, turn off the water shutoff valves under the sink. Turn on the old faucet and check if the valve is stopping water properly. When you are sure, you can start removing your kitchen faucet.
Disconnect the supply line using the wrench. Make sure to hold the pipe with the other hand while using the wrench.
Remove both the hot and cold water lines. Make sure to mark or remember the hot and cold water supply lines. You can take a picture if you have doubts in mind.
Keep a bucket under the line so any water inside the pipeline can fall into the bucket.
Step 3: Remove the faucet
Now it’s time to remove the old faucet. Look under the sink. The faucet should be attached with a mounting nut to the sink. Depending on your faucet type, there can be one to four parts set in different holes in your sink.
Adjust your wrench with the nuts and remove them. Some Kitchen faucets don’t have any nuts. They have twistable parts that you can remove by twisting.
Now stand up and pull out the faucet. You may have to apply a bit of pressure to pull that thing up from the hole. If the faucet is stuck, the plumber may be causing it. Use a putty knife to remove the putty and try again.
Step 3: Cleaning
Once you remove the sink faucet, you can expect to see stains, dirt, and old putty. Remove the plumbers putty with a putty knife. Then spray a cleaning agent and scrub with a scrubber or brush. Don’t have a cleaning agent? Apply vinegar and baking soda on the spot and wait five minutes. Then rinse the kitchen sink with water.
Step 4: Installing new Faucet
Now, time to install your new faucet. Keep in mind that you need to get a faucet that fits the number of holes in your sink. For installation, you should get a manufacturer’s guide with your kitchen faucet. Go through the guide to get more specific steps.
First, let the pipes attached to the faucet go through the dedicated holes. Once you set the faucet in the proper position, attach the nuts or mounting hardware under the sink. Use the wrench to tighten the nuts or hardware under the sink.
Step 5: Attach the water supply lines
Find the cold water line and hot water line. Wrap Teflon tapes around the attachment part of the water pipes. Then attach the pipes on the correct lines. Check the photo if needed. Carefully tighten the nuts of the pipes. Make sure not to apply too much pressure while tightening. It may break the line.
Step 6: Check for leaks
Once you attach all the parts and connect the water lines, open the shutoff valve. Carefully observe if any water is leaking. Sometimes water leakage is hard to observe immediately. Leave the sink for thirty minutes or so, then check again for leaks. Use all the functions of the faucet and make sure everything is working properly. If you notice any leak, you just need to close the shutoff valve and tighten the water line nuts.
Step 7: Last step
Remove the aerator or spray hose from your faucet and turn on the water. Let the water run for a few minutes so the water pressure can remove any dirt and debris from the line. After that reattach the aerator and enjoy your new kitchen faucet!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tighten the kitchen faucet?
If your kitchen faucet is leaking, tightening the lines can easily fix it. First, close the shutoff valve and remove the nut. Remove the old Teflon tape and wrap the new one. Reattach the pipe and tighten it with a wrench. This should fix the leaking problem.
Do you need a plumber to change a kitchen faucet?
You can hire a plumber to change a kitchen faucet. But you can also do it yourself with basic skills and tools. It will help you save at least 100$.
What is the life expectancy of a kitchen faucet?
It depends on the quality and brand. Litrohubs premium kitchen faucet can last over five long years without a problem.
Wrapping Up: How to install kitchen faucet
Installing a kitchen faucet can be overwhelming at first. But with proper information and tools, there are very few things that can go wrong. Just follow the steps, get help from the manufacturer’s guide and everything should be on the right track.