How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet - DIY Home Improvement Guides - How to Repair and Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen and more

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Home Improvement > Kitchen > How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet

Learn how to replace a kitchen faucet and install shut-off valves beneath the kitchen sink.

As part of a larger kitchen renovation project, a homeowner wants to start with the simple replacement of the kitchen faucet with a new model that he has already purchased. It original faucet is a single tap and lever model. As part of the faucet retrofit, we install shut-off valves and then update with a single tap and individual water valves.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

Step
1

Turn Off the Hot and Cold Water at the Shut-off Valves

Turn off the hot and cold water to the kitchen faucet. If there are no shut off valves under the sink, as is the case in this project, locate the nearest hot and cold water shut-off valves and turn the water off there. In our case, there were separate valves for the first floor, but you may have to shut off water for the entire house. Here, the shut-off levers simply require rotating them to the opposite position.

Step
2

Turn on the Faucets to Bleed Off Water Pressure

Turn on the kitchen faucet and any other faucets that are controlled by the same shut-off valves to drain the water and bleed off the remaining water pressure. Place a basin beneath the sink, positioning it under the drain and pipes to catch any residual water as you work.

Step
3

Remove the Hose Clamp on the Dishwasher Hose

Loosen the clamp on the dishwasher hose with a screwdriver in preparation for removing the sink drain. Removing the drain is not a necessity, but we opt to do so and create more work room in the cramped space under the sink.

Step
4

Loosen the Plastic Nuts on the PVC Piping

Use your fingers to loosen the large plastic nuts on the PVC pipe starting at the drain and ending at the wall and remove it. There is no need to disassemble the P-trap and other components.

Step
5

Sever the Copper Pipes with a Pipe Cutter

Use a small pipe cutter to sever both the copper water lines (hot and cold) where they protrude from the wall. Such cutters typically have a little wheel that scores the copper and that can be tightened gradually to score deeper. The trick is to tighten and score gradually to avoid crimping or bending the end of the soft copper tubing.

Step
6

Detach the Copper Pipes at the Faucet

Unscrew the copper pipes where they meet the faucet. The best tool for this task is a basin wrench, which has circular wrench-like jaws on the end of a long handle and enables reaching into tight places to loosen the nut holding the pipe. Use the tool in a ratcheting motion, rotating the nut a fraction at a time until it is loose enough to be removed with your fingers.

Step
7

Remove the Retaining Nuts with a Basin Wrench

Use the basin wrench to loosen the retaining nuts at the base of the faucet. Loosen it until you can remove it with your fingers.

Step
8

Remove the Faucet Assembly

Remove the faucet assembly, working from the top of the sink. Discard the assembly and hose.

Step
9

Clean Away Old Plumber's Putty and Debris

Clean up any residual plumbers putty or debris from the sink where the old faucet rested. A plastic putty knife will scrape it away without scratching the surface of the sink. Follow up with a plastic scrubbing pad, until the area is clean and smooth. This step completes removal of the old faucet.

Step
10

Add New Shut-off Valves

Add new shut-off valve assemblies to each of the severed copper pipes at the wall. Slip the valve over the end of the pipe and tighten the compression fittings using two wrenches. This method prevents the valve from spinning and twisting the soft copper pipe as the fitting is tightened. Compression fittings make a tight seal on the pipes and eliminate the need for using flux and solder or joint compound of any type to seal the joint.

Step
11

Place a Rubber O-ring on the New Faucet's Base

Place a rubber O-ring on the base of the new faucet. The model being installed is an updated single tap model with individual valves for hot and cold water.

Step
12

Insert the Faucet Base Through the Sink Cut Out

Insert the lower end of the faucet base through the correct cut out in the sink.

Step
13

Slip a Mounting Plate and Washer Over the Faucet Base

Slip a mounting plate and washer over the faucet base, working from the underside of the sink.

Step
14

Secure the Plate with a Retaining Nut

Secure the plate with a retaining nut, finger-tightening it in position.

Step
15

Tighten the Retaining Nut with the ProvidedTool

Use the plastic socket wrench provided with the faucet fixture to finish tightening the retaining nut. To provide leverage, insert a screw driver through the hole at the base and turn the screwdriver as a handle.

Step
16

Insert the Spray Nozzle Hose into the End of the Faucet

Insert the spray nozzle hose into the end of the faucet.

Step
17

Push the Hose Through the Bottom Side of the Faucet Base

Push the hose all the way through and out the bottom side of the faucet base.

Step
18

Add Plumber's Putty to the Water Valve Fittings on the Sink

Mold plumber's putty into the fitting that will lie between the individual hot and cold water valves and the sink. The putty will make a water-tight seal at the base of the valves and prevent water from seep underneath and dripping into the cabinet below.

Step
19

Push the Water Valve Body Through the Sink Cut Out

Have a helper work beneath the sink to push each water valve body through the correct cut out in the sink. Ordinarily, the hot water valve is on the left and the cold water valve is on the right.

Step
20

Add a C-ring to the Threads on Each Valve

Add a C-ring to the threads on each valve, working from the upper side of the sink.

Step
21

Seat the Valve and Finger-tighten the Nuts

Push or pull the valve down against the c-ring and then finger tighten the nuts on the underside of the sink. Finish tightening the nuts with the basin wrench.

Step
22

Slip Clips on the Water Hoses and Snap Them in Place

Slip on the clips that connect the water hoses to the valves and snap them in place. If the faucet model that you are installing does not use this method of attachment, follow the manufacturer's directions.

Step
23

Connect the Water Supply Lines to the Faucet

Connect the water supply lines to the faucet and use the basin wrench to secure the nut.

Step
24

Position the Water Supply Lines at the New Shut-off Valves

Position the other end of the water supply lines at the new shut-off valves.

Step
25

Snug the Nuts and Tighten Them with a Wrench

Finger-tighten the nuts until they are snug and then finish tightening them with a wrench.

Step
26

Screw the Valve Handles into Place

Place the valve handles and trim on top of the valve body and screw them in place.

Step
27

Drop the Liquid Soap Dispenser Pump into Place

Drop the pump housing for the liquid soap dispenser in place and secure it from the bottom with a retaining nut. The pump, itself, just sits on top so that it can be lifted out for refilling. This completes installation of the new hardware and connection of the water supply lines.

Step
28

Reattach the PVC Piping Beneath the Sink

Reattach the original drain piping beneath the sink, tightening the plastic nuts on the P-trap/pipe assembly. This assembly was in good condition and does not need to be replaced.

Step
29

Reconnect the Dishwasher Hose

Reconnect the hose from the dishwasher and secure it with the pipe clamp.

Step
30

Turn on the Water at the Shut-off Valves

Turn on the water at the shut-off valves.

Step
31

Test for Leaks in the Bottom of the Sink Cabinet

Test for leaks by placing some paper towels on the bottom of the cabinet beneath the drain and pipes. Wait a few minutes and then look to see if there is any sign of moisture on the paper towels.