Sometimes, it’s good to try a bit of home-plumbing to get the job done instantly. However, without a proper guide, the chances are that you can make the situation even worse, rather than fixing it. In the case of bathroom faucet installation, you might break the faucet permanently or fix it upside down if you do not follow the right steps.
While it’s always recommended that you hire a professional for such tasks, if you are in the mood to do things on your own, here are 8 DIY steps for bathroom faucet installation.
8 Steps for Bathroom Faucet Installation
1) - Get Your Plumbing Tools
Depending on your situation, you might need different materials and tools. However, the below mentioned tools are a must-have for almost every type of bathroom faucet installation – and to ensure your safety.
- New faucet
- Plumbing tape and putty
- Water lines
- Working gloves
- Safety glasses
- Wrench
- Pliers
- Silicone sealants
2) - Turn Off the Water Supply
This one is a no-brainer but you’d be surprised to know how common it is for people to keep the water supply open when installing new faucets. Not closing the water lines creates havoc and wastes a lot of water. To avoid this, it’s better to check your water lines and cut the supply prior to starting. Moreover, it’s good to re-check the parts you’ll be needing so that you don’t have to run to the hardware store in the middle of the installation.
3) - Undo the Old Faucet
Start by closing the wall valve that supplies water to your faucet, then turn the faucet on to loosen the residual pressure. Now, undo your old faucet by screwing it in a counter-clockwise direction. A lot of time, people tend to misunderstand the direction of loosening a faucet, which results in damaging the threads on your faucet assembly. So, it is advisable to first check the direction before overly stressing the faucet.
4) - Remove the Hardware Assembly
After you have removed the faucet, do not fasten your new faucet on the same old hardware assembly to save time. Remember, not everything fits everywhere. Consequently, old hardware assemblies may have rusted or worn out over time. Remove any old fixtures such as bolts, nuts, and washers and replace them. This will ensure that your new faucet fits perfectly.
5) - Install the New Faucet
Faucets come in variety of shapes and sizes, with each having different installation techniques. Start off by checking the user manual to know what steps you have to follow. After all, you don’t want to damage your valuable faucet even before you have installed it. Prior to fixing, do a loose assembling test of the hardware parts to check if they fit. In general, you apply plumber’s putty in the base of the spout to avoid leakage and water splashing. Plumber's putty is a soft, malleable material that is used to make leak-proof seals around faucets. Now, install the center spout and with the help of a wrench and tighten the mounting nut to fix your faucet.
6) - Assemble the Mixing Valves
If you have a single-hole faucet, this step may be redundant for you. In case of a dual-hole faucet, connect the main hot and cold water lines to your faucet valves. To hold it tight from the top and bottom, you need nuts, washer, and C-clips. Don’t forget to apply plumber’s putty to the sculpted lower side of the top washer for added strength. Finally, tighten the nuts from the bottom and install the C-clips.
7) - Thread the Trims
Now that you have assembled your lines, install the top trims by threading the mixing valves. A point to note here is that you should keep your handle in the OFF position before you thread your trims. The next step is to connect the water lines to your faucet. You can use taping on connections that do not have a rubber or gasket seal. If your faucet has a decorative face plate, remember to secure it to the wall using a silicone sealant before you install your handle and spout trim pieces. If your faucet does not have a face plate, you can skip this part.
8) - Check for Leaks and Assemble Drain Rods
Lastly, you can assemble the drain rods to the extension and get the clamping bolts fixed to them. Make sure that all your fittings sit tightly to the joints and do not loosen up. Now, you can turn on the main water supply but do it slowly to avoid any pressure on the newly fixed faucet. Keep your faucet on and look for any small leakages near the valves and below the pipes. Also, check for warm water and ensure it works properly. If all works fine, let the sealant cure for a few hours before use.
You Did It
Bathroom faucet installation may look like a difficult job, but if you follow the steps mentioned above, you should be good to go.
If you ever need any professional plumbing services, contact Mesa Plumbing Company. We offer 24/7 service with no extra charges, and provide 100% satisfied plumbing facilities across 12 cities in Arizona. MPC guarantees the lowest price for all your commercial and residential plumbing needs. So, contact us now to get your faucets installed professionally.