Changing your kitchen faucet is an economical way to improve the convenience and functionality of your kitchen. Depending on the number of pipes and the style of your kitchen sink, the process varies but remains quite simple. This guide will show you how to remove the old faucet or install the new kitchen faucet. Read on to discover step by step how to install a kitchen faucet.
Why change a kitchen faucet?
There are several reasons to replace your kitchen faucet. The main one is a leaking faucet or a drip problem that won’t stop. When even after changing the washer, the leak persists, replacing the faucet is the only solution. If your faucet is corroded by limescale, you can also replace it with a kitchen mixer tap with spray hose to better integrate it into the decoration of your new kitchen.
It is common for people to have a faulty kitchen faucet before replacing it. However, buying a new faucet should not always be a rushed decision. Whether your kitchen faucet is outdated, inconvenient, or you have discovered a leak, you will have no trouble finding a faucet suited to your needs.
When it comes to kitchen faucets, mixer taps are currently popular. They offer the ability to control water temperature and flow with a simple press. As for design, there is always a model that will suit you and meet your needs. Whether you want a mixer tap with spray hose, a wall-mounted mixer, or a foldable mixer tap, you will be served.
How to choose the right kitchen mixer tap?
There are several types of mixer taps. You can choose between a kitchen faucet with spray hose which is practical, functional, and aesthetic, or a foldable kitchen mixer tap. So, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right mixer tap for your kitchen.
Height
Not having the right height with your kitchen faucet can irritate you. It will be too short for large pots to fit underneath. You will struggle to fill them, and washing them will be a real chore. A taller kitchen faucet gives you more space for these larger items. By choosing a foldable mixer tap, you can enjoy a tall and elegant faucet, no matter your kitchen layout.
If you have a window right next to your sink, a foldable mixer tap under the window is ideal to allow you to easily ventilate your kitchen. The water-saving aerator regulates and stabilizes the outgoing flow to help you reduce your water consumption.
The finish
Consider the finish of the rest of the room when choosing the finish of your new faucet. Look at the handles of the cabinet doors and drawers and choose a color that complements them. You can also think about how the faucet’s finish will resist water stains and fingerprints.
Some faucets have a stain-resistant coating, so the faucet stays cleaner longer! At Le-Mitigeur.com, we offer you several finishes. You can choose a chrome finish, black, white, gold, or stainless steel.
Similarly, before choosing, check the mounting method of your old faucet as well as its dimensions to select the right model.
The model
Now that you know the type of faucet you want, you need to identify the model that will fit your sink. To do this, simply look at your old system and take measurements. Start by checking the number of holes drilled on the rim of your sink to install the old faucet. Usually, there are between 1 and 3. Choose faucets with the same number of holes.
However, if you plan to install a completely different faucet, you will need to drill a new hole in your sink. This is the surface where the faucet is installed. Otherwise, you will need to replace your sink with one compatible with your new faucet.
Finally, don’t forget to check the condition of your plumbing and seals. If their effectiveness has decreased or they are damaged, you should consider replacing them at the same time as your faucet.
How to remove the old kitchen faucet?
Before installing your new kitchen mixer faucet, you must first remove the old faucet. To do this, follow the steps below.
Prepare the tools to change the kitchen faucet
You will need a flat wrench and an adjustable wrench to change your kitchen faucet. In case there is a water leak, it is best to have a cloth ready to soak it up.
Cleaning under the sink
You will spend some time lying on your back inside the sink cabinet, so start by emptying everything inside. Take the opportunity to get rid of many cleaning products you have duplicates of or don’t really need. Then place an old towel at the bottom of the cabinet to avoid chemical residue while you work.
Turn off the water and disconnect the pipe
You need to start by turning off the water supply. There should be two pipes for hot and cold water with shut-off valves on the front or top. The right pipe is usually for cold water and the left pipe is for hot water. Detach the water supply pipes from the faucet using an adjustable wrench. The pipes can be flexible or rigid. Turn the screws clockwise until they are fully closed and the water no longer flows.
After turning off the water, remove the pipe leading to the faucet. Make sure you have a bucket handy to catch any water that might remain in the pipes and flow out when you dismantle the faucet.
Loosen the nut under the sink
Look under the sink, where the faucet is attached. There should be a nut holding a U-shaped bracket against the sink. Before trying to remove it, first apply some oil. This will help loosen the nut, and you won't have to struggle for hours. To unscrew the nut, you can use an adjustable wrench.
Dismantle the old kitchen faucet and clean the sink holes
After loosening the nut, you can unscrew it manually and remove the washer and mounting plate. The important part of the kitchen faucet replacement is removing the old one. Locate the faucet connections under the sink. The old faucet is connected to two water inlets by pipes. Use a wrench to unscrew the bolts of the supply pipes. The remaining water in the pipes should drain out.
Now, when the faucet is no longer held by the mounting nut, remove it by pulling it upwards. Prepare to be disgusted by the dirt underneath. Don't worry, as it is a gasket that has disintegrated or limescale that has accumulated around the faucet. After removing the faucet, carefully clean the sink hole. With the sink holes cleaned, it's time to install the new kitchen faucet.
What are the steps to install the new kitchen faucet?
After removing the old faucet, installing the new one should no longer be complicated. A slip-joint plier can also be useful if you don't have an adjustable wrench.
Preparing for installation
Before undertaking the operation of replacing your kitchen faucet, there are a few points you need to check. First of all, make sure that the base of the new faucet is wide enough to cover the drilled hole. Likewise, ensure the height of your faucet and make sure that the new faucet does not prevent a window from opening, for example. The length of the hot and cold water pipes supplied with the faucet must be appropriate to be connected to the hot and cold water inlets of the faucet.
Install the mounting plate (optional)
There are faucets designed for single-hole or three-hole kitchen sinks. The included mounting plate covers the extra holes. This piece is not necessary if you have a single-hole sink.
Attach the new faucet
Most of the time, faucets are delivered disassembled with instructions. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as the assembly process will not necessarily be the same for all kitchen mixers.
After assembling the faucet, place the sealing gasket at the base of the mixer and insert the pipes into the sink hole. Then, place the lower gasket of the mixer under the sink until you achieve a connection between the hole and the faucet. Put the washer on top while ensuring the mixer is in the correct orientation. Now tighten the nut with an adjustable wrench.
After securing the faucet, simply connect it to the water supply pipes. To do this, screw the faucet hoses onto the male-female fittings of the pipes, first checking that the fittings have seals. An adjustable wrench and a flat wrench can help you do this.
It is important to ensure that the hose intended for cold water is connected to the cold water pipe and that the hose intended for hot water is connected to the hot water pipe. Generally, the cold water supply is on the right side of the faucet if you are facing it.
Turn on the water and check for leaks
After installing the faucet, it’s time to turn the water supply back on. Open the faucet and let it run for about a minute to check for leaks. Take the time to check that there are no leaks in the piping and joints.
In case of a leak, turn off the water supply again and make the necessary adjustments by tightening a bit more. Check again several times over the next 48 hours to ensure everything is working properly. If everything is dry, you are done!
As you can see, it is not difficult to replace a kitchen faucet yourself! With the money you save by not hiring a professional, you can buy a beautiful foldable gold, black, or steel goose-neck kitchen mixer faucet at Le-Mitigeur.com.
Should you call a plumber to install a new faucet?
You have the option to replace a faucet yourself without calling a plumber. It should take you less than an hour with some basic tools, like an adjustable wrench and a flat wrench. The same techniques apply to kitchen and bathroom faucets. If you enjoy DIY, you should be able to remove the old faucet and install a new one yourself.
If you really don’t feel comfortable doing this work, you can call a plumber. If additional plumbing work needs to be done, expect to spend more on parts and labor.
Moreover, if your kitchen is equipped with a wall-mounted faucet, replacing and installing a new faucet can be a bit difficult and requires the intervention of a plumber. When installing a wall-mounted faucet, people tend to confuse the hot and cold water supply lines, which can damage the installation.
How often should a kitchen faucet be replaced?
In general, kitchen faucets are supposed to last between 15 and 20 years. However, this is not always the case, especially when the faucet is made from lower quality materials. Although faucets are available at a cheap price, it is recommended to buy a good quality faucet from Le-Mitigeur.com so that it lasts a long time.
Besides that, we recommend keeping an eye on your current kitchen faucet to detect problems as early as possible. If you need to repair it frequently, it is better to replace it with a new faucet to save on repair costs.
Faucets can also be damaged due to improper use and poor water quality. If you suspect such faucet problems, have your kitchen faucet checked by a plumber.
Conclusion
You are now ready to replace a kitchen faucet by yourself without needing much help. If this is your first time installing a kitchen faucet, it may take some time to master all the steps. However, don’t give up, as you will eventually understand the process after going through the steps several times:
- Open the faucet to drain the water from the pipes and the faucet
- Unscrew the pipe fittings on the cold and hot water inlets of the faucet
- Unscrew the bolts securing the faucet to the sink
- Remove the faucet
- Clean the area around the faucet hole on the sink
- Manually screw the supply pipes into the base of your new faucet
- Screw the threaded rod that holds the faucet on the sink. It is common for the faucet to be held by two threaded rods or a brass ring that keeps the faucet in place
- Install the O-ring on the part of the faucet that ensures the seal of the faucet seat to the sink
- Insert the pipes into the perforated part and lock the new faucet in place
- Put the bolt back on the rod and tighten to secure the faucet to the sink
- Ensure that the faucet connections do not have a water leak
