DIY: Basic Faucet Replacement

Faucet replacement is a very easy task that anyone can do. It is one of those household repairs that don’t really need any professional assistance. Here are the basics that you should know about faucet replacement.

Being Prepared And Choosing Your Faucet

Before you go off with the replacement proper
procedures, you should be ready and have with you the faucet unit that you want to use to replace your old one. You can drop by your local hardware store and
pick out a faucet that you want. Having it on hand
before removing the old one would make things easier
and faster for you.

With the numerous modern designs now at the market,

you have a variety of faucet designs that you can
choose from. For your bathtubs and sinks, you can get single or double handled faucet. Generally, faucets have a standard size regarding their hook-ups, depending on their use. For kitchen faucets, you can usually find units with an 8 inch hookup. Bathroom vanity faucets usually come in 4 inches, while bathtubs come in 8 inches.

Faucet Measurements

In able to know which kind of faucet to get from the
store, first you have to do some measurements. Have
your tape measure in hand for this task. If you will
be using a double handled faucet, what you need to do
is take the measurement from the handles’ center to
center, thus, this is your faucet’s size. If you will
be using a single-handled faucet, you would have to
measure starting from the the distance in between your
water hook-up lines placed on your faucet’s bottom.


As soon as you know the style and size of your faucet, then you’re already to take out the old one and install your new unit.

Tools That You Need

Basically, you do not need a lot of tools for this task. All you need to have are wrenches so that you can hold the shut-off valve and take out the supply line that is going to your faucet. Also, you would need to have channel lock pliers or a basin wrench. You’ll be using this take out the large nuts, which attaches the faucet to your sink. It would be better if you use a basin wrench, due to its special design that is intended for working in tight spaces, just like where your faucet is mounted to your sink.

Steps To A New Faucet

First, you should turn off all water supply that is
linked to your faucet. Then, you should remove the
supply lines coming from both sides of your faucet. After that you should remove the large retainer nuts that are holding your faucet to the sink. When you are done with this, remove the old faucet from the sink. Try to clean up your sink and where the old unit was installed.