How-To Guide: Install a New Bathroom Faucet
Step-by-step directions on how to install a new bathroom faucet, to accompany the video “How to Install a Bathroom Faucet”.
Time needed to complete project: 1 hour
Materials Cost: New bathroom faucets can run anywhere from $80 to more than $200. The “easy-install” model that we show in the See Jane Drill video was about $100. While we don’t recommend any specific brand of bathroom faucet, we do recommend that you use an “easy-install” type, and that is the type we discuss in the following instructions.
DIY Savings by doing it yourself: Up to $250
Tools and Materials Needed
• New “easy-install” bathroom faucet
• Washers in various sizes
• Plumber’s putty
• Channel Locks, also called slip joint pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdrivers, phillips and flathead
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Ensure that the area where you will be installing the new faucet is clean.
2. Read the instruction manual that comes with your particular faucet, and familiarize yourself with the hardware.
3. Apply plumbers putty to the bottom of the plate (a.k.a. escutcheon), to create a waterproof seal. To do this, you make a “rope” with the plumber’s putty, and place it around the base of the plate.
4. Install the faucet: Insert your water supply lines into the center hole in the sink. Apply just a bit of pressure to the plate, so that it will stay in place while you attach the hardware to the bottom.
5. Attach the hardware underneath the sink to hold the faucet in place. Note, you will want the rubber side of the hardware to be the side that goes up against the bottom of the sink. This is what will protect the porcelain from cracking when you bolt down the faucet.
6. Tighten the bolt with the channel locks. You will know if it is tight enough if you look at the top of the faucet and see that the plate is tight against the sink and the plumber’s putty has compressed.
7. Make certain the faucet is good and tight, and that you cannot rock it at all. Clean up the excess plumber’s putty. It’s fine to just do this by hand.
8. Drain assembly: Insert the drain assembly in the sink, and secure it below the sink with the washer and the plastic screw.
9. Screw the pop-up assembly into place into the drain, below the sink.
10. Up above, remove the plastic cap and Styrofoam from the drain. Check to make sure that the pop-is working properly.
11. Connect the water supply lines: Attach the hot and cold water supply lines to the shut-off valve, being careful to not cross threads. Hand-tighten, and then tighten with the adjustable wrench.
12. Put the P-trap back. You may need to replace the washer if it seems worn. Reattach the drain pipe. You may need to make some adjustments to ensure that everything is lined up and secure. You don’t want the pipes to be cocked at all. Once you are happy with how everything looks, tighten with the channel locks, taking care to not over-tighten.
13. Test everything. Turn on the water at the shut-off valves beneath the sink, checking for leaks as you go.
14. Lastly, turn on the water! There might be a little air in the line at first. The very last test is to ensure that your P-trap isn’t leaking. To do this, fill up the sink with water, about halfway. Pull the stopper and check beneath to make sure that your P-trap isn’t leaking and everything is dry.
And that is all it takes to install a new bathroom faucet! Congratulations, you did it!
by See Jane Drill, Copyright 2014
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