Skip to main content
True Value
Project

Install New Faucet — Clean the Sink and Prepare for Installation

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 4 of 6

Helpful?

In this video

Wipe the surface of the sink and countertop to remove any old grime or sealant. Place the new faucet into the mounting holes. From underneath, thread the mounting nuts onto the faucet shanks and tighten them by hand. Connect the water supply lines to the new faucet and the shutoff valves, ensuring they are snug.

Goal: Generic Faucet Installation (Two-Handle)

  • Long arms are an advantage when working in deep, narrow cabinets. If needed, you can tighten the nuts with a basin wrench.

Used in this video

  • Paper Towel (brand: unknown) — Cleaning the sink surface
14.5K views20 minutes
Family Handyman

272K subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

Why is a basin wrench listed as a required tool for this project?

A basin wrench is crucial because it's specifically designed to reach and loosen the mounting nuts that secure the faucet from underneath the sink. These nuts are often in very tight, awkward spaces where a regular adjustable wrench simply cannot fit or get enough leverage.

What should I do if the old faucet's mounting nuts are corroded and won't budge?

First, try applying a penetrating oil to the corroded nuts and let it sit for 15-30 minutes to help break down the rust. If they still won't turn, you may need to use a small hacksaw or a specialized nut splitter designed for plumbing to carefully cut through the nuts. Always wear eye protection when doing this.

Is 3 hours a realistic time estimate for someone who's never replaced a faucet before?

While 3 hours is a good estimate for an experienced DIYer, beginners should budget a bit more time, perhaps 4-6 hours. This allows for unexpected challenges like stubborn old parts, cleaning time, and carefully familiarizing yourself with the new faucet's instructions without rushing.

After installing the new faucet and turning the water back on, I have a small leak under the sink. What should I check first?

The most common culprits for leaks are loose supply line connections or improperly tightened mounting nuts. Gently but firmly tighten these connections with your adjustable wrench. If the leak persists, you may need to disassemble the connection, inspect the washers/gaskets, and reassemble with plumber's tape or a fresh application of plumber's putty if applicable.

Transcript
Hide

Out with the old, clean the area, and in with the new. Now, before you guys rate my comments talking about how I didn't clean the area well enough, oh my god, oh! Most of that was actually just the countertop design. Now, the good thing about small cabinets is, if you have long enough arms, here's a good angle right there, and you use your monkey arms to actually tighten it and not have to squeeze your whole body under the cabinet. Now, if you haven't noticed already, this is a project source faucet with the drain.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.