How to Install a Sink Faucet

Do you need to replace your old sink faucet? Is your faucet leaking like mine was? Maybe you just want to update your kitchen with a new look. I will show you how to replace your old faucet with a new faucet.

I am installing a MOEN Pull Out kitchen sink faucet. I bout mine at Home Depot for around $100. If you didn’t know, kitchen sink faucets are expensive, some of the ones on display at Home Depot were well over $300. Crazy right?

It doesn’t matter what brand of faucet you want to install, most of the steps will be the same. The directions that came with mine were easy to understand, that is the few times I looked at them. I do like to check the contents list to make sure I have everything before I start a project though.

---

Skill –               Beginner

Time –             1 Hour

Cost –              $50 and up (Depending on the faucet you buy)

---

Tools and Materials Needed

Faucet

Channel Lock Pliers

Crescent Wrench

Teflon Tape

Screwdriver

Bucket (to catch water)

Towels

Flashlight

---

1. Remove the Old Faucet

Sometimes this is easier said then done. That was the case for me. I could not get the Nut underneath the faucet off. So here is what I did.

Yes, that’s right, I got out the old Reciprocating Saw. My old faucet had the plastic base to cover the two extra holes, so I did not have to worry about scratching my sink.

2. Put New Base Plate Down (Optional)

You will only need to do this if you are installing a one-hole faucet on a three-hole sink.

3. Put O-Ring on the Bottom of Faucet

I almost forget this step when installing mine.

4. Feed Hoses into Hole and Set Faucet in Place

4. Fasten Faucet to Sink

This step was very easy with this MOEN Faucet. It came with the tool to tighten the nut down. In the past I have used channel lock pliers and that way is not very easy.

6. Connect Hose for Sprayer

If you have a pull down or pull out faucet like mine, you will need to assemble the pull-out faucet. Make sure the O-Ring is in place and then tighten down the hose. Feed hose through the sink.

7. Connect Hoses

HINT: Use Teflon Tape on all threads that do not have a rubber gasket being attached to them. The faucet supply lines will have a rubber gasket on them, make sure its there, so these will not need Tape.

This looks more complicated in my picture then it really is. In most cases you will be connecting the supply hoses, HOT and COLD to the HOT and COLD shut off valves. In my case I must also reinstall the water supply to my under-sink water filter. I also have a water supply to my dishwasher too, so it gets a little crowded under my sink.

Don’t forget to put the weight on the hose for the faucet sprayer!

8. Check for Leaks

This is my least favorite part. I usually pause for a minute before turning the water on to check for leaks. I always have on connection that leaks.

If you have a leak, try tightening it down a little more. You may need to use channel lock pliers, but don’t over tighten. If you tighten it a bit more and its still leaking you may want to take it apart and check it out. It may be missing the rubber gasket, or you may need Teflon Tape or Plumber Thread Dope.

HINT: Don’t ever use Plumber Putty on supply lines, that is not what it is meant for.

Congratulations! Your have a new Kitchen Faucet! My project took longer then it should have due to that nut being rusted onto the old faucet.

Leave me a comment and let me know how your last faucet repair job went.