DIY Network

Faucet Installation and Repair Learn how to replace a kitchen or bathroom faucet. From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-312

Host Ed Del Grande explains how easy it can be to replace a faucet in your home.

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Materials:

basin cock wrench
slip joint pliers
plumber's putty
multi-tip screwdriver
faucet repair kit for the make and model of the new faucet
manufacturer's instructions

Types of Faucets

• Cartridge faucets have cartridges inside that regulate the flow of water by pushing it through the cartridge. The cartridge can also control the amount of hot and cold water supplied to the spout.

• A rotary ball faucet works using a plastic or metal ball. When the handle is rotated, the ball inside rotates and regulates the amount and temperature of the water.
  

  Figure A

• Disk faucets (figure A) control the flow of water through a replaceable neoprene seal. These seals are set in the bottom of the disk. To fix a leak, it can be as simple as replacing the seal.

Note: Check with the manufacturer's instructions and warranty before making any repairs.

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Replacing the Kitchen Faucet

1. Shut off the water.

2. Remove the old faucet supply lines (figure B), which will expose the holes in the sink.

Tip: Keep a bucket and rag close by to clean up water left in the lines.

3. Use a pair of snips or scissors to cut the old plastic sprayer line from the faucet.

4. Use a basin wrench to loosen up both the hot and cold water supply lines (figure C).

5. Unscrew the lines from the faucet. Have a bucket handy to catch the water.

6. Unscrew and remove the bolts that held the old faucet into place.

7. If your faucet has a separate sprayer attachment, unscrew and remove the plastic nut.

8. Remove the sprayer and faucet body from the sink (figure D).

Installing the New Faucet

1. Remove the soap container and locking nut from the soap dispenser.

2. Apply plumber's putty around the bottom edges, and then insert it into the furthest hole from the center.

Figure E

3. Apply a generous amount of plumber's putty to the underside of the escutcheon cover (figure E), and then firmly place it over the three center holes on the sink.

4. Fit the faucet through the hole in the escutcheon cover, and then position the faucet so the handles face in the proper direction—usually to the users right.

5. Partially thread two screws into the threaded ring until they protrude from the backside of the threaded ring.

Figure F

6. Slide the fiber washer, metal washer and ring over the supply lines (figure F).

7. Screw them onto the threaded shank until the ring is about 1/4 inch away from the sink bottom and the screws are to the front and back. Tighten everything down.

8. Thread the plastic locking nut onto the shank of the soap dispenser, and then use the basin wrench to tighten it down.

9. Screw the soap container over the shank, ensuring that it's tight.

10. Slide the weight onto the spray hose, and then connect the two ends making sure they are locked into place.

11. Position the hot and cold supply lines so they will not interfere with the other hoses, and then connect them to the existing supply lines and tighten.

12. Turn on the hot and cold supply lines, and then the faucet.

Figure G

13. Check for leaks.

14. Remove any excess putty from around the escutcheons (figure G).

15. Add soap to the dispenser, and then secure the pump onto the top.

	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J

Bathroom Faucet

• If your faucet has a bad flow of water coming out, you may need to replace the aerator (figure H) that is screwed onto the end of the faucet.

• If water is dripping outside of the stem, you may need to rebuild the unit.

• It's a good idea to rebuild both sides of the faucet if one side goes bad.

1. Turn off the water supply to both the hot and cold lines under the sink (figure I).

2. Remove any caps from the handles being sure not to damage them.

3. Remove the handle screw using a Phillips head screwdriver (figure J), and then remove the handles.

4. Loosen the compression nuts using a pair of slip joint pliers, and then remove.

5. Using a pair of pliers--grab the old cartridges, and then gently rotate them until they slip out of the faucet body.

6. Use a screwdriver to remove the washers and springs found under each of the cartridge bodies.

7. To determine why a faucet is leaking, check the O-rings, stems, seals and the springs.

8. You can purchase a kit made for the type of faucet you have that will replace everything at once, or you could by the individual part for replacement.

9. Pay attention when installing the stems to make sure they are in the correct position for the handles.

10. Use a small screwdriver as a guide when installing the springs and seals.

Figure K

11. After replacing both sets of springs and washers, place the cartridge in the cold side of the faucet body according the manufacturer's instructions, and then screw on the compression nut and tighten (figure K).

12. Repeat the previous step for the hot side. Make sure the cartridge is installed in the proper position and the compression nut is tight.

13. Replace the handles as before, and then replace the caps.

14. Install the new aerator by simply screwing the aerator to the faucets spout.

15. Turn the water back on, and then check under the sink for leaks.

Next Weekend Project: Cleaning Kitchen-Floor Grout

Weekend Projects Index

RESOURCES :

Kohler Plumbing
Website: www.kohler.com

Sloan Valve
Website: www.sloanvalve.com