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.
Once you are done cleaning up, get your new unit and place it in the
holes. You can ask someone to help you with this, so that keeping it
centered while installing the retainer nuts below would be easier.
When you get the faucet in place and retaining nuts tightly screwed,
then you can now get your water supply lines hooked up again. Turn
on your water supply and do some tests for leaks and other defects.
If you have some leaks, try reinstalling it again and make sure that
you tightly place each part where they should be. Also, if you want
you can use plumbers
putty or thread tape to prevent leaks or dripping on the joints,
specifically in between the faucet and sink, or the supply line and
the faucet.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube