You’re thinking of replacing the old bathroom faucet with a new one. Great idea! But you sure are doing it for the first time, right? Don’t worry. It’s no tough job.
With this guide in place, we’ll walk you through the steps of how you can install a new faucet for your bathroom sink in a hassle freeway.
Later in the blog, you’ll find the different faucet types, colors, and controls in case you want to buy a new one for yourself. It’ll help you find the right one.
Here’s How to Replace A Bathroom Faucet
To replace the bathroom faucet, it’s essential that you know what type will fit the best.
Of course, like shoes, faucets do not follow the ‘one size fits all’ rule so, knowing which size and design are going well with your bathroom decor is extremely important.
After you’ve sorted that out, follow these steps for the further process.
Step 1: Get Your Tools At Hand
When you’re cooking something, you keep the important ingredients on the counter so you won’t have to run back and forth every 1 minute.
We’ll do the same for this “how to replace bathroom faucet” recipe.
To install a new faucet, you need these tools:
- Basin wrenches (Fixed and adjustable both)
- Hex wrench (we may need it in the process at some point)
- Putty Knife
- A bucket (plastic one would do better)
- Caulk (for the seal)
Besides these tools, you must have your faucet and silicone pipes.
These 2 will be a part of the package you’ve bought from the manufacturer, along with the manual to seamlessly guide you through the process.
Step 2: Uninstall the Older Hardware
To replace the older bathroom faucet, you need to uninstall it.
For that, the first move is to shut off the valves to prevent bathroom faucets from leaking on the floor in between the replacement process.
You can easily disconnect the faucet from its drain or P-Trap (to stop the water supply) by shutting the valves under the sink (for ball faucets), use a fixed wrench to loosen the pipes, and take them off the coil by hand.
Shut off the water supply for the other faucet types. Once you’re over that step, make use of the bucket that we had and pour the remaining water (that may be in the pipes) into it.
Step 3: Clean the Faucet Area
Once you’ve dealt with the older hardware, take off the faucet using an adjustable wrench. After taking it off, have a cloth or towel with a stain removal solution.
Use the cloth and rub it over the faucet holes, so there are no seal stains there. Apply the pressure as needed.
Step 4: Install the New Faucet
Before you install a new faucet, make sure it has the same sized holes (if you’re not replacing the sink) as the older one.
Your faucet will come with a gasket so place it over the holes and measure if it’s the right size. Use the screw and nuts and tighten them to hold the hardware.
After making sure it’s perfect, use the plumber putty (the clay) on the faucet’s coil and the rubber base to strengthen its grip on the installation holes. Next, fix the drain hole with the caulker.
Step 5: Connect the New Faucet’s Hardware
After installing the faucet and drain in the sink, what you need to do next is install its hardware.
To work for the drain, you’ll get a ball rod for the faucet drain, which you’ll use for optimum drain performance.
Once that’s done, you’ll work your way for the faucet shank connection to the drain pipes so water can flow without restrictions.
A new hardware connection also points to connect the hot and cold water valves, only in the case if you have the connection.
Step 6: Connect Hot and Cold Valves
To pass through this step, you’ll use a big washer and a nut at the bottom valve and a C-shaped washer at the top.
Tighten the nuts and clips that are in place. You can use Plumber’s putty (rub it on the palm and shape it as you want to use it. Apply it on the c-shaped clip at the bottom.
Step 7: Run the Tap
Let them drain and the plumbing dry. Once it’s done, turn on the tap and check if there are any leaks in the installation.
If you spot the leaking point, check and fix it with either the putty or the caulker.
If you’ve DIYed your way into the faucet installation, then congrats! If not, take a chill pill and just look in the guide to see where you might have missed the point. You can do anything you put your mind to!
Types of Faucets
The faucet installation process depends on the type of faucet you’re using. Understanding the type is also a good way to have a flawless faucet installation.
Here are 4 common faucet types.
1. Ball Faucets
Ball faucets usually have a ball or handle at the top. You can move the round-shaped handle either right or left to control the water temperature.
Drawback: They are prone to leakage as the springs or the plastic covering the holes get dry.
Advantage: no hassle to find the hot or cold water handle. It’s easier to use.
2. Single Lever or Disc Faucet
Disc faucets are about a single lever on top of the cylindrical faucet. It uses a cartridge to manage the water control.
A disc faucet works like a ball faucet, controlling the temperature with side-by-side movement.
Drawback: You can struggle with the lever to get the perfect water temperature.
Advantage: They are low-maintenance faucets.
3. Two-Handled Faucets
Another type of faucet that’s common and worth mentioning is 2 handle faucets.
The two handle faucets are usually used in homes for one reason: They offer better control than the single ones.
Drawback: The installation can be tricky.
Advantage: They are a good option when temperature control is important to you.
4. Compression Faucets
Compression faucets and two-handle faucets look similar in structure. What makes the difference is how the handle feels.
How the bathroom faucet works: It uses a cartridge function. With a compression stem, these faucets control the water flow.
Drawback: compression faucets are more likely to leak if the compression stem isn’t tightened properly.
Advantage: They are standard faucets, so there are no usage complications.
With these details, you can pick out which type of faucet you have in your bathroom and tell your faucet manufacturer to have the same (if you’re satisfied with the current one) or change to one of the abovementioned.
Faucet Control Options
Just like the faucet type that we just discussed, there are different options for the controls as well. Would you mind having a peek? Here we go!
- Cross handles
Modern and stylish for newer and contemporary bathrooms.
- Knobs
Much similar to cross handles but with a knob at the top. These ones are nicer looking.
- Levers
The controls that come with ‘X’ design. They are easier to hold.
- Joystick
The control is at the top of the faucet, looking just similar to the joystick which it’s named after.
- Pushbuttons
Push buttons use the buttons instead of handles or knobs.
- Touch activated or sensored
Touch activated controls (work with sensors) do not use buttons or knobs at all. You just place your hands under the faucet, and the water flows.
Whatever the cause, prefer what you’re comfortable with and handle its maintenance.
Finishes for the Faucets
Faucets have a long list when it comes to customization and adding style to the bathroom decor. The faucets have a list of finishes that you can choose from to mix in the bathroom theme.
- Polished chrome
- Flashed chrome
- Chrome
- White
- Almond
- Gold plated
- Antique brass
- Matte black
- Brushed nickel
Polished chrome, nickel, and almond look awesome on anything. They are usually stainless, so there’s no need to change them anytime sooner than years or decades.
The other shades, with a brushed finish, also give off an elegant vibe. They fit in neutrals as well as basic backgrounds.
These are just the most common colors, but of course, these are a range of shades that you can pick and match other fixtures.
Conclusion
DIY installation is always a better way to learn a new skill, understand your plumbing system and do the best services for yourself.
It’s a gateway to plumbing independence. Other pros include the significant cut short on the expenses.
While you do the job or planning to do it, One thing that you need to keep in mind is the theme of the bathroom and the size of your sink where you want to install the faucet.
Also, it’s important to have a check on the maintenance that you’ll have to do for the faucet and plumbing cleanup.
Concluding the blog post, share any tips that can help the first-timers with the DIY faucet installation in the comments.
