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Kitchen Faucet Replacement Guide

mediumHome Repair1 hr

Upgrade your kitchen with this straightforward guide to replacing your old faucet. Designed for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts, this tutorial teaches you how to safely remove existing hardware and install a new faucet kit. You will learn the essential steps for managing water lines and securing your new fixture for a leak-free finish.

Safety Warnings

  • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from falling debris while working under the sink.
  • Turn off power to any electrical outlets beneath the sink before starting the repair.

Tools Needed

Adjustable wrench — 8-inch
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Basin wrench — 3/8-inch drive
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Phillips screwdriver — #2
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Flashlight — LED with magnetic base
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Materials

Kitchen faucet kit — Metal body(1)
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Supply lines — Braided stainless steel(2)
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Teflon tape — Standard plumber's tape(1 roll)
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Plumber's putty — Kitchen grade(1 tub)
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Steps

1
Clear out the area under the sink and lay down towels or a shallow pan to catch residual water. Turn off both the hot and cold water supply valves by rotating them clockwise.
Tip: If the valves are stuck, you can use a rag or pliers for better grip, or shut off the main water valve for the entire home.
2
Open the faucet handles to release any remaining water pressure and drain the lines. Disconnect the hot and cold supply lines from the faucet using an adjustable wrench.
3
Unscrew the mounting nuts securing the faucet to the sink from underneath. If the nuts are rusted or hard to reach, use a basin wrench or apply penetrating oil to loosen them.
Tip: A basin wrench is specifically designed to reach tight spots behind the sink basin.
Mounting Nut Basin Wrench Sink Base Loosen Nut Rotate CCW Use a basin wrench to unscrew mounting nuts from underneath the sink.
4
Lift the old faucet out of the sink. Thoroughly clean the sink surface and the holes around the installation area to remove old sealant, grime, or corrosion to ensure a watertight seal.
5
Prepare the new faucet by following the manufacturer's instructions. If using a one-hole faucet in a three-hole sink, place the escutcheon (deck) plate and gasket over the extra holes.
Tip: If your faucet didn't come with a gasket, roll a thin 'snake' of plumber's putty and fit it around the base.
Deck Plate Gasket Sink Surface Place over extra holes Center the deck plate and gasket to cover unused sink holes.
6
Feed the supply lines through the sink hole and set the faucet into position. From underneath, secure the faucet with the provided washers and mounting nuts, tightening them snugly but not excessively.
Mounting Nut Washer Supply Line Tighten snugly Secure faucet from underneath using washers and mounting nuts.
7
Wrap the threaded connections of the supply lines with Teflon tape. Connect the hot and cold supply lines to their corresponding valves under the sink and tighten with a wrench.
Tip: Ensure you connect the hot line to the hot valve and the cold line to the cold valve.
Supply Valve Braided Line Teflon Tape Tighten firmly Apply Teflon tape to threads, then tighten the supply line to the valve.
8
Slowly turn the water supply valves back on and test the faucet for leaks. Check the gasket at the sink base and all supply line connections.
9
Remove the faucet aerator from the tip of the spout and run the water on full blast for one to two minutes to flush out any debris or mineral deposits dislodged during installation. Reinstall the aerator.
10
If you encounter major complications such as rusted pipes that break, a wall-mounted installation, or leaks you cannot identify, call a professional plumber.

Pro Tips

  • Photograph your existing setup before disassembly for easy reference during reinstallation.
  • Choose faucets with metal bodies over plastic for better long-term durability.
  • Use flexible braided stainless steel supply lines for easier installation and improved leak prevention.

When to Call a Professional

If you encounter corroded supply lines or the new faucet does not align with existing holes, call a licensed plumber.

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