If you’re a do-it-yourselfer like I am, you’re always looking for quick, high-impact, low-cost ideas for updating your home. One of my favorite ways to add instant style to a kitchen or bathroom is installing a new faucet. It’s a project even a beginner DIYer can tackle in a couple of hours at most—and few things add impact to a sink area quite like a shiny new water spout and handles.
One warning: You’re not going to get very far with this project if you don’t purchase the right faucet—many models aren’t interchangeable. To make certain you select the right size and configuration, remove the old fixture and measure the holes where the new faucet will go from center to center. You may even want to take the old faucet to the store when you purchase a new one.
Once you’ve selected the perfect faucet for your kitchen or bath, it’s time to get started. The fixture you purchased likely came with all of the components—including the handles, a matching spout, a drain collar, and a sink stopper. The lines that connect the water supply to the valves may not be included, however. You can use easy-to-install braided lines if they will be hidden; rigid lines are best for console sinks or other configurations that leave the area beneath the sink visible.
Begin your sink installation by reading the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the faucet. Detailed info on faucet installation can be found online too—check out instructions from Lowe’s or This Old House. At DoItYourself.com you’ll find pointers on installing different faucet configurations.
Perhaps the hardest part of installing a faucet is working in cramped quarters under the sink. Beyond that, just follow the directions—and don’t forget to turn off the hot- and cold-water shutoff valves under the sink first!
Once you successfully install your faucet and decide this plumbing work is a piece of cake, check out Yes, You Can!: Home Repairs Made Easy by Amy Wynn Pastor or The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing for even more inspiration and info on tackling plumbing projects.
Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All
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