Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-08-08 Origin: Site
Replacing your kitchen faucet is a straightforward do-it-yourself project that can make a big impact on the look and functionality of your kitchen. Whether you want to update the style, add convenient features like a pull-down sprayer, or replace a leaky faucet, you can give your kitchen a fresh new feel in under an hour. By doing it yourself, you can save the expense of hiring a plumber while taking pride in your own handiwork.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire process of removing your old kitchen faucet and installing a new one. With a few common tools and careful attention to the instructions, you can confidently tackle this project. So let's get started!
Before you dive into faucet replacement, it's important to do a bit of upfront planning. First, check your local building codes to see if a permit or professional installation is required. Most kitchen faucet replacements won't need this, but it's always good to verify.
Next, gather all the tools and supplies you'll need for the job:
- Basin wrench
- Adjustable wrench
- Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
- Plumber's putty
- Teflon tape
- Bucket
- Flashlight
- Towels or rags
Don't forget to pick up your new faucet, along with any additional components like a deck plate or soap dispenser.
With your tools assembled, clear out the space under your sink and lay down some towels or rags to catch any water that may drip during the process. Locate the hot and cold shut-off valves and turn them fully clockwise to turn off the water supply. If you have a garbage disposal, unplug it as a precaution.
Now you're ready to begin removing your old faucet. If you need to take a break at any point during the process, make sure to stuff a rag into the faucet opening to prevent any small parts from falling down the drain.
With the water shut off, use your adjustable wrench to disconnect the supply lines from the shut-off valves. Have your bucket handy to catch any residual water in the lines. If the lines are stuck, apply a penetrating oil and let it sit for a few minutes to help loosen the connections.
Next, use your basin wrench to remove the mounting nuts that secure the faucet to the sink. These nuts can be tricky to reach, so the basin wrench is designed to fit up behind the sink basin. You may need to use some muscle to get the old nuts moving. With the nuts removed, you should be able to lift the old faucet out from above the sink.
Take a few minutes to clean the area where the old faucet was seated. Scrape away any old plumber's putty or grime using a putty knife or flat-head screwdriver. Wipe the area clean to provide a fresh surface for installing the new faucet.
When selecting a new faucet, in addition to appearance and function, you also need to consider some key technical parameters to ensure its performance and service life. Here are some professional tips for choosing:
Kitchen faucets mainly come in the following types:
- Single-handle faucets: Cold and hot water are controlled by one handle. The structure is simple, space-saving, and easy to use.
- Double-handle faucets: Cold and hot water are controlled by two handles respectively, allowing precise temperature adjustment. Traditional and durable.
- Drinking water faucets: With water purification function for direct drinking, but require separate installation of filter elements.
- Pull-out spray faucets: The hose-connected sprayer can be pulled out for use, suitable for cleaning sinks and other large areas.
- Touch-sensitive faucets: No manual contact required. Water flows when hands or objects approach the sensing area, more hygienic.
The size and installation methods of the connecting parts such as the water supply lines and fixing nuts may vary for different types of faucets. When purchasing, carefully check the instructions to ensure they match the hole size of your sink. Especially when replacing with a different type of faucet, you may need to adapt and modify the sink.
A qualified faucet needs to use high-quality materials both inside and out, which relates to its durability and maintenance costs. Parts that deserve special attention include:
- Valve core: The core component that controls the mixing and flow of cold and hot water. High-quality valve cores have good sealing performance and are reliable and durable.
- Ceramic disc: High-end faucets often use ceramic discs to seal the valve core, which last longer than ordinary rubber seals.
- Hose: Required to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Generally made of stainless steel wire braided rubber hoses and marked with maximum pressure bearing.
- Spout: Bacteria easily grow around it. Choose anti-fouling and anti-bacterial materials. PVD nano-coating is currently a better choice.
- Handle: ABS plastic handles are light and cheap, but easily age; chrome-plated brass handles are heavy and sturdy, but prone to oxidation when encountering chemicals.
- Surface: Common electroplated chrome, brushed, PVD and other processes, each with pros and cons. The key is surface wear and corrosion resistance.
There are big differences in materials used for faucets of different grades, and even between different models of the same brand. When the budget is limited, it is recommended to choose from the mid-to-low-end products of big brands, which often have higher cost performance at the same price point.
In addition to the general appearance and feel, you should also check the technical specifications in the instructions when choosing a faucet to comprehensively evaluate its performance. The numbers reflect the thoughtfulness of the product design:
- Flow rate: The number of liters of water output per minute. Too small is inconvenient to use, too large is prone to splashing. Generally 2-3 L/min is appropriate.
- Maximum pressure: The maximum water pressure that the faucet and accessories can withstand, which needs to match the tap water pressure at home. Usually 0.5-0.8 MPa.
- Maximum temperature: The highest water temperature the faucet can withstand, which should not be lower than 75°C, otherwise hot water will damage the faucet.
- Handle life: The ceramic valve core of a quality faucet should have no leakage after 500,000 on-off cycles, and ordinary valve cores should reach 200,000 times.
- Hose length: 60cm is generally appropriate. Too short limits movement, too long easily tangles. Drinking water faucets require 110cm or more.
- Maximum hose pressure: For faucet hoses with steel wire winding, the pressure resistance value should be above 1.5 MPa.
- Noise level: Water flow noise below 50 decibels is good. There are two standards, single-tone and silent.
It is recommended to compare the parameters of several candidate products in a table when purchasing, to see which ones have an edge in key parameters. But you can't completely rely on the parameters. Ultimately, you still need to make trade-offs based on the actual look and feel, trial use experience, ease of installation and other factors.
With the right new faucet, you can start the installation. The vast majority of faucets come with installation instructions provided by the manufacturer, but the basic steps are similar:
1. Assemble the faucet. Different parts may need to be inserted, screwed or snapped. Single-handle faucets are generally assembled at the factory.
2. Place the escutcheon (if any) on the sink and press it firmly into the mounting hole to make it fit tightly against the sink surface.
3. Insert the faucet's supply lines and fixing studs through the mounting hole on the sink. Hand-screw the nuts from below, but don't fully tighten them yet.
4. Adjust the position of the faucet from above the sink, noting that the handle should face forward. Have a helper hold the faucet in place from above while tightening the mounting nuts from below the sink with a basin wrench. Don't overtighten the nuts to avoid damaging the faucet or sink.
5. If there is a separate side sprayer, thread the sprayer hose through the faucet body and screw it on. For pull-out faucets, connect the quick connector according to the instructions. Slide the counterweight over the hose and snap it tight.
6. Finally, connect the hot and cold water supply lines. First wrap a few turns of sealing tape around the threads of the shut-off valve and supply line, then tighten. Repeat this step on both sides.
Pay special attention to avoid excessive force on the threaded connections throughout the installation process, otherwise leaks can easily occur. Try to tighten by hand, and when you feel you can't move it anymore, use a wrench to lightly tighten it for another half turn.
It's the moment of truth - time to turn the water back on and test your new faucet installation! Slowly turn the shut-off valves counterclockwise to turn the water back on. Check the faucet connections for any leaks and gently tighten if needed.
Run the water through the faucet for a minute or two to flush out any debris that may be in the lines. Unscrew the aerator from the faucet spout and clean out any sediment trapped in it, then replace it.
Test the faucet handles and any additional features like the sprayer or touchless activation. Run both hot and cold water and ensure the temperature and pressure are to your liking. Check under the sink again for leaks.
When you're satisfied that everything is working correctly, wipe down your new faucet and clean up your tools. Remember to plug your garbage disposal back in. Stand back and admire your new kitchen upgrade!
In summary, although replacing a new kitchen faucet is a simple DIY project, choosing a high-quality and durable product requires some professional perspective and background knowledge. In addition to the design and function, it is recommended to evaluate and compare the product's performance and life from aspects such as structural type, key component materials, technical parameters, etc. At the same time, the installation also needs to strictly follow the steps and standardized operations, especially for various threaded connections, to control the tightening force to avoid leakage or damage.
I hope this article can provide professional and practical references for readers who are preparing to replace faucets. Whether you are a novice or an experienced DIYer, you can get some guidance on selection and installation. If you encounter a problem that cannot be solved independently, don't be hard-headed, seeking help from a professional plumber is a wise move. Here's to your kitchen looking brand new!
