Bathroom faucets are a very common fixture in people’s homes. They are very useful and handy, but some people find them a nuisance. They can easily get clogged and become difficult to clean.
Replacing a leaking or outdated tap is not as hard as you might think. You can approach the project with a wrench and a couple of other common tools. In general, it should not take more than one hour. The same steps apply if you install a new faucet on a new sink.
How To Replace Bathroom Faucet
I. Getting the Sink Ready
1. Gather your tools, supplies and head to the workshop.
A new bathroom faucet is an easy installation job, but there are some tools that you’ll need to remove the old faucet and install the new one.
The tools you’ll need include:
- Adjustable wrench
- Basin wrench
- Bucket Towel
- Flashlight
- Measuring tape
- Plumber’s tape Sponge or scrubber
- Bathroom cleaner or soap Rag or cloth
- New faucet
3 Best Bathroom Faucet Recommendations
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Moen Bathroom Faucet
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Delta Lahara Centerset Bathroom Faucet
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Charmingwater Automatic Sensor Touchless Bathroom Sink Faucet
2. Prepare your work area.
Remove everything from underneath the sink. Place the towel below the pipes to prevent water damage to the vanity.
Put a bucket on the towel and under the tap to catch the flowing water. We suggest taking the same approach: having some sort of cover or a trash bag under the towel for even more protection, or in place of the bucket. Turn off the water.
Find the leak and shut off the water. It has to be under the sink on the inside of the vanity. Turn the valve clockwise to turn the tap off. Depending on your plumbing, you can have one water valve for the whole faucet, or you can have two separate valves for hot and cold water.
If you have difficulty locating the shutoff valve, you can turn off the water supply from the entire line to the bathroom sink.
3. Drain the water.
To remove excess tap water and release the pressure before starting to work, drain the pipes after shutting down the water.
Turn on all faucets in the sink and hold them on until all the water has run out. This will protect your sink, vanity and floor from leakage and water damage, and prevent water from spraying anywhere when you remove the tap.
II. Removing the Old Faucet
1. Unplug the supply tubes.
These are the tubes which connect the tap to the water supply. Use the wrench to loosen the nuts at the location where the hoses connect to the water supply. Use the sink wrench to loosen the nut holding the pipes to the faucet. Turn the nuts clockwise (counter-clockwise) to loosen them.
- Once the nuts are loosened using the wrenches, you can remove them manually.
- Wipe away any dripping water on the bottom of the vanity immediately to prevent damage or distortion.
2. Loosen the locknuts to release the old faucet.
Most faucets are attached to the sink with locknuts attached to the tips below the sink. You can use your hands or a wrench to loosen the nuts. Rotate them to the left (counterclockwise) to loosen them. Remove the nuts and washers from the end pieces.
- After you remove the supply lines, nuts and washers, the faucet will be loosened. Remove the faucet from the mounting holes by holding it in both hands and pulling it straight out. If there is a gasket on the faucet, remove it. Then set the faucet aside with the gasket.
- If you are having trouble locating the nuts under the sink, use the flashlight to help you.
3. Scrub the faucet holes.
Use a sponge or gentle abrasive pad to clean the mounting holes around the sink where the faucet sits. Use soap and water or your preferred cleaner or detergent. Once the area is clean, rinse it thoroughly, pat it dry and allow it to air dry completely.
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To remove old sealant or silicone, wet a sponge or rag with mineral spirits and wipe the area clean. Rinse the area with clean water and dry by tapping.
4. Determine what kind of faucet you have.
If you have removed the old faucet from the mounting holes, you can determine the type of faucet you need and the hole configuration. There are three types of faucets: Center-set, Single hole, and Widespread or split-set.
- A single hole, where the sink will have one hole for the faucet, and the faucet will be one simple piece with a single handle.
- Center-set, The sink will have three holes in it, and the one-piece faucet will have individual handles for controlling the hot and cold water.
- Widespread or split-set, work well with three-hole basins, but the spout and two handles come in three separate pieces.
5. Purchase a new faucet.
Before you visit the house or hardware shop for a brand new tap, decide the form of tap you have, study your basin hollow configuration, and degree the space among the holes so you get the proper substitute tap. Write down the range of holes your basin has, the form of tap that became on there, and the space among the holes.
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If you want to replace your old faucet with a new type, you’ll have to replace the basin.
III. Installing the New Faucet
1. Install the gasket.
The gasket is a rubber or plastic piece that helps to create a proper seal between the faucet and sink and prevent leaks. Place the gasket on the bottom of the faucet, matching the holes in the gasket with the exhaust pipes and valves on the faucet.
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Be sure to seat the gaskets properly so the faucet is securely sealed.
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If your faucet wasn’t packaged with a gasket, you’ll need to apply sealant or plumber’s putty before installing it. Before you install the faucet, lay down a thin layer of sealant or putty.
2. Insert the new faucet.
Hold the tap with both hands and pull it directly from the mounting holes. Remove the joint if there is one and set it aside with the tap.
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Once the tap is in the mounting holes, insert a washer over each exhaust pipe, then twist the nuts manually. If you want to tighten nuts, turn them to turn them to the right (clockwise).
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When you have tightened the nuts by hand, finish tightening them by turning them another quarter of a turn with the adjustable key if needed.
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Avoid tightening the nuts more, otherwise the sink could get damaged.
3. Wrap all the threads with plumber’s tape.
The plumber’s tape is designed to lubricate the fittings and create better tightness between the components. Wrap the end of the faucet exhaust pipes with a layer of plumber tape, ensuring that the tape does not extend beyond the end of the hose.
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Exhaust pipes are where the water supply pipe attaches to the tap, and the tape prevents leaks.
4. Attach the water supply hoses.
First, attach the hoses to the faucet. Attach each hose to the faucet’s tailpipe and then tighten the nut with your hand. To tighten the nuts, use the basin wrench to turn each nut a quarter turn to the right (clockwise).
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After attaching the hoses to the new faucet, reattach them to the water supply. Turn the nuts by hand in a counterclockwise direction, then tighten them using the adjustable wrench.
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When attaching the supply lines to copper pipes with threaded fittings, be sure to hold the copper pipe securely while connecting the lines to avoid it from twisting or breaking.
5. Turn on the water and test the faucet.
If everything is connected and tightened, turn the water back on, by turning the shut-off valve to the left (counter-clockwise). To flush out the new faucet, turn on the water supply. If the water is running, check for leaks and drips.
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To flush the faucet, turn on the hot and cold water and let it run for 1 to 2 minutes.
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Replacing a bathroom faucet can be a complex process. Rinse the area with clean water and dry by tapping.
FAQs
How much does it cost to install a bathroom faucet?
Typically, repairing a leaking faucet costs between $200 and $330, but most repairs cost around $270. If you ignore a leaky faucet, you will pay the price.
A leak can damage the floor, cabinet, and walls, resulting in mold and mildew growth. A faucet repair professional can get your faucet working again by getting it back to its normal state.
What is the average time it takes to replace a bathroom faucet?
If your faucet is leaking or outdated, it’s not as hard as you might think. You will only need a basin wrench as well as a few other common tools. Usually, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. The same steps apply if you’re installing a new faucet on a new sink.
How much water does a leaking faucet waste?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water each year. A dripping faucet can waste 10,000 gallons of water per year. Fixing a leaky faucet might save you 10% on your water bill.
Final Words
The importance of replacing bathroom faucets is vital to the health and wellbeing of your family. Replacement of bathroom faucets is not just for convenience but also for hygiene and safety.
Replacing an old, worn-out, or corroded faucet is a quick and easy way to improve the quality of your home. You don’t want to be using a dirty or rusty faucet that could lead to health issues.