How to Properly Replace a Damaged Kitchen Faucet

The difficulty in replacing your kitchen faucet would depend on how old the fixture is. Older fixtures can be accompanied by corroded pipes, difficult to access fittings, and rusty nuts among others. In general though, replacing an old kitchen faucet comes with moderate complexity that will allow you to finish the entire job in just a day. Are you ready to do this yourself?

Removing Drain Lines

It is important to remind you that before you do any replacement steps, water supply to the kitchen faucet should be cutoff completely. To make sure that you will be able to access the faucet as well as the supply pipes, the drain lines and P-traps may need to be removed.

Before you disconnect anything, make sure that you can put it back as it was before. If you are not sure how, the best way is to take a snapshot of the connections as your reference. You will also need to prepare shutoff valves, supply tubes, basin wrench, pipe wrench, and slip-joint pliers. This is the best time to replace old and worn out connections under the drain as you replace the old kitchen faucet. Also have a bucket ready to catch the water in the drain lines.

It is important to remind you to be extra careful when removing plastic drain parts to avoid damaging them.

Disconnecting the Garbage Disposal Unit

Do you have a garbage disposal unit? Well, it would be rare to find a home that does not have one at this point in time. So you have to make sure that you disconnect it before replacing your old kitchen faucet to avoid damaging it.

Make sure that you shutoff the circuit breaker of the unit to completely cutoff its power supply. The discharge line should also be disconnected. Tap the retaining ring in a counterclockwise direction to release the disposer. The area underneath the sink should be cleared of all obstructions to allow you to get in there and get full access to the faucet.

You can now unplug and pull it out of its cabinet to clear your way.

Removing the Faucet

Inspect all the shutoff valves and supply lines before proceeding and consider replacing old ones. Loosen the old faucet with a basin wrench. If necessary, use penetrating oil for old fixtures to loosen the nuts and screws.

If you are replacing the old faucet together with your kitchen sink, make sure that you install your faucet first before you set the sink into the countertop.

Make sure to place the flange over the faucet opening. The flange nuts that go underneath should be tightened by hand and aligned accordingly with the faucet and the sink hole. Normally the manufacturer of the replacement faucet will include directions on how to mount the new faucet so follow it carefully. If there is an extra hole on your sink, cover it up with a blank insert or place a liquid soap dispenser in its place.

Replacement Faucet Selection

Investing in quality faucet may be expensive, but it will be worth the money you pay for it.

Are you a heavy user in the kitchen? Then you would need a heavy-duty faucet to match your kitchen needs and activities. It is important to know that most quality faucets come with lifetime warranties, which will be to your advantage.

Looking for more stylish and better finish would normally mean additional cost but better value for your money and your kitchen.

If you want to make sure that your old kitchen faucet does not cause you any other plumbing problems, call on professional help at once.