Of all the things in the kitchen, the kitchen faucet might be the only thing that we use the most throughout the day. According to kitchen faucet manufacturers, a person generally turns on the tap in the kitchen for different purposes, more than 40 times in a day. Kitchen faucets are available in different designs and for different prices. It is best to go with a faucet that has good manufacturing and better engineering so that they last longer and stay drip-free too.
Because installing a kitchen faucet is a fairly simple task that does not involve complicated stuff like behind-wall pipe systems, you should not immediately call the plumbing services if you get a kitchen faucet for your home. This is because installing a kitchen faucet is one of the few instances in which calling the plumbing services is not necessary. You are able to complete this task on your own by simply adhering to a couple of straightforward instructions. It can be finished in under an hour, does not require any money from you, and teaches you quite a few things about plumbing while you are at it. Therefore, let’s jump right in and get this party started.
List of Tools & Materials Required to Install a Kitchen Faucet (Don't Miss This One)
Adjustable Wrenches – This is an open-end wrench with a movable jaw that makes it convenient to be used with fastener heads of different sizes.
Basin Wrench – Also known as sink wrench, this is a plumbing tool that is used to turn fasteners that would be nearly impossible to reach with other types of wrenches in a confined space.
Putty Knife – Also known as a scraper, a putty knife is used for scraping surfaces or spreading material such as putty and plaster in various construction cases.
Small Bucket – A small container that can be used to carry water or other things.
The Kitchen Faucet – A kitchen faucet includes a supply line of water, an aerator, a body, a handle, a spout, and the valve controls.
Plumber’s Tape – Also known as thread seal tape, a plumber’s tape is basically a polytetrafluoroethylene film tape that is normally used in plumbing work, for instance, sealing pipe threads.
Silicone Caulk – Silicone caulks or sealants are used to seal things, especially in wet areas since they are not water soluble.
Supply Lines – These are the lines that connect the water (hot/cold) pipes to the faucet.
Process to Install a Kitchen Faucet (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you are installing a new kitchen faucet to replace an older one, you will need to take the old one out of the sink first. Therefore, first turn off the water valves located under the sink, and then open the faucet to let the water that has been collected in the lines to drain. If you want to prevent water from leaking out of the connections when you disconnect the supply lines, you can put a small bucket underneath them. After that, you will need a basin wrench in order to take off the bolts that are holding the kitchen faucet in place. Carefully take out the old faucet, and then clean the surface of the sink to eliminate any grime and dust. Taking a picture of the plumbing configuration helps to fix it later on if it ever breaks again.
It is essential that you have a solid understanding of the components of the kitchen faucet before you install the new one. If you are unfamiliar with this process, the significance of this stage cannot be overstated. The overflow equivalents are considered to be a component of the entire faucet. The underside of the counterparts is comprised of the shank, which is the location of the hardware kit. This kit contains the nuts and washers. The next component beneath the counter is the water inlet lines, which need to be linked to the water supply, which is typically located under the cabinet. If you look under the cabinet, you should be able to see these lines.
It was been brought to your attention that not all kitchen faucets are created equal. There are pull-down kitchen faucets, touch-less kitchen faucets, and regular kitchen faucets, neither of which include side sprayers or touch-less technology. Additionally, there are touch-less kitchen faucets. Therefore, it is beneficial to study the manufacturer’s guide prior to installing the component. On the other hand, below you will find a straightforward installation guide that can be used for the vast majority of kitchen faucets.
Place the plastic/rubber gasket over the faucet holes in the sink and set the deck plate. To know whether you should use silicone caulk or plumber’s putty in the gasket installation, you can refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
Put the faucet lines in the right holes on the countertop. In this case, it is important to note that if you have bought a three-hole faucet and have just one hole on your counter, you need to drill two more holes.
Install the washers and nuts below the sink. Slide the under-parts through the hole. If you used caulk or plumber’s putty earlier for the gasket installation, you need to wipe away the excess from under the sink.
If you are installing a pull-down faucet, you need to attach the quick-connect hose to the water supply pipe. Next, pull down on the hose and attach the weight. The weight needs enough clearance to hang freely under the sink. While you do this, you can ask someone to hold the kitchen faucet in the correct position over the countertop.
Next, you need to connect the water supply lines. Ensure that you connect the supply lines to the correct water supply inlet. Do not overtighten the supply lines. You can also use plumber’s tape if needed. Here, if the size of your old lines’ connections does not match with the new ones, you can use an adapter that can be bought from any hardware store.
Turn on the water slowly and check if there are any leaks anywhere. You may need to tighten connections if you find leaks anywhere. You can also use a plumber’s tape for extra sealing if required.
Once done, you need to remove the aerator from the faucet. You need to then turn the water on and let it run for a few minutes without the aerator. This is important because it helps to clear the lines. This is another scope for you to check for leaks and make readjustments if you find a leak at any place.
Turn off the faucet and attach back the aerator.
And you are good to go! Your kitchen faucet is ready to be used!