Are you in one of those situations where your faucet or tap is broken and there\’s no on around to fix it? Or are you irritated by the sound of \’tip-tap\’ coming out of your faucet? Fear not, you are not the only one facing this problem. And, why fear not? We will teach you how to do the dirty work yourself. Instead of calling a plumber which will cost you more money, why not try to replace your kitchen faucet by yourself. It is easier than you think and with the right methods you can master it just in time. Not only it will save you more money but the new kitchen faucet will improve the appearance of your kitchen and its functionality as well. There are two ways on replacing the faucet. One way is to take the sink out of the countertop. Then, affix the new faucet and put the whole assembly in place again. It will save you from more trouble if you are consent to do it. The other way is by going under the cabinet and wedging underneath it. In this condition, you have to spare your backs ready to contort so that you can reach everything while fixing new faucet.
You don\’t have to be professional to do this; anyone can install a new kitchen faucet. What you need is guts, patient and willing to go with the dirt and mess. Here are some methods on how you can install a new kitchen faucet. All the tools that you need can be found in hardware store, don\’t be hesitated to ask the store assistant if you have questions about the tools.
What you need before installing a kitchen faucet is:
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New faucet set
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Basin wrench
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Silicone caulk
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Flashlight
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Vinegar
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Razor blade
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Steel wood
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Towel
Start by cutting off the water supply to the sink before you begin installing the new faucet. There are two ways either by the main water supply that supplies water for the entire house or the valves under the sink. To make sure that the water supply is completely out, try by turning on the old faucet and see if there is no water flowing.
Next, loose the nuts that hold the old faucet in place by using the basin wrench. There are two types of faucet, the old faucet\’s bottom mounted is the one connected above the sink while the top mounted faucets are connected on the bottom. Nowadays, top mount faucet is the most available and used faucet. It always has a base plate. So, the process will be the same if you chose to either pull out the sink or work underneath it.
Although, the water supply has already stopped, it is best to keep a handy towel with you to soak up any spilling water when you are removing the nuts that hold the faucet in place. Remove any grease that stained the sink surface. Use vinegar and hot water solution to soften the grease and then remove it carefully by using a razor blade or steel wool pad. After that, this is a good time if you decide to remove the sink for the project.
Then, squeeze out a smooth line of silicone caulk onto the bottom and inner edge of the base plate of the faucet assembly. To make it more watertight-seal, press it firmly in place. You can abandon this step if your new faucet came with a rubber gasket. Next, get back under the sink and affix the washers and nuts on the stem pieces and tighten the nuts a little with a basin wrench. To avoid yourself bruising your ribs on the edge of the sink cabinet when working under the sink, use a rag or old towel to lean on. Basin wrench is much more reliable if your new faucet set did not include a long socket for tightening the nuts. Replace the supply lines if needed. Before turning the water supply, tighten everything in place to prevent any water leakage.
Finally, run the cold water first and examine under the sink for any water leaks. Then continue with the hot water. To make sure there is no water leaking from under the base plate, check the water fixture from above.
Additional Reading:
http://homerenovations.about.com/lw/Home-Garden/Home-improvement-renovation/How-to-Install-a-Kitchen-Faucet.htm
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingorrr/954994855/
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