Save money by removing and replacing bathroom faucets yourself.
Replacing a bathroom faucet is a basic plumbing job that doesn't require the skills of a plumber to complete it. The removal process utilizes common household tools, and strict building codes ensure that the pipes that serve as faucet connectors are standardized. For the DIYer, this means that removal won't become a costly experience with specialized equipment, and that the choice of replacement faucet extends to a large variety of available manufacturers.
Instructions
Sink Faucet Replacement
1. Cut the water supply to the faucet by turning the that supply hot and cold water to the left until they stop. Test that you turned the water off completely by turning the handle for the faucet to the on position and waiting a minute or two for the water left in the pipe to empty out. Locate shutoff valves for sinks beneath the sink.
2. Unscrew the two water supply hoses beneath the sink with the adjustable wrenches. Place one wrench around the top nut of the joint connecting the faucet hose to the home supply and tighten the grip. Tighten the second around the bottom nut of the joint and turn it clockwise until the two hoses disconnect.
3. Remove the ring nut beneath the sink holding the faucet in place with an adjustable wrench. Pull the nut downwards to release the faucet unit and then pull the faucet from the sink.
4. Place a bead of caulking around the base of the faucet where it meets the sink's surface. Thread the new faucet hoses through the hole in the sink and place the faucet against the sink top. The caulking should spread slightly across the joint between faucet and sink and form a watertight seal.
5. Pull the new ring nut up the hoses in the new faucet and then screw it to the bottom of the faucets with the adjustable wrench, holding the new faucet in place.
6. Reconnect the hot and cold water hoses from the home supply to the new faucet hoses.
7. Restore the water supply and test the connections by turning on the water and watching for leaks. Turn off the water and tighten up any joints where leaks occur to complete the installation.
Bathtub Faucet Replacement
8. Locate bathtub/shower shutoff valves by checking for an access panel behind the fixture, usually found by looking in the room located behind the fixture at the shared wall. If you cannot locate the access panel, shut down the water from the main water valve in your home.
9. Remove the small screw located at the bottom of the faucet using the flat-head screwdriver. Unscrew the bathtub spout by turning it counterclockwise and pull it from the pipe.
10. Remove the screw holding the faucet in place against the wall of the tub. Pull the faucet free. If held in place by the caulk, use a utility knife to scrape the caulk away from the tub.
11. Use the adjustable wrenches to remove the water hose connections from the home water supply.
12. Connect the new faucet hoses to the household water supply hoses. Place a bead of caulk onto the base of the faucet and then slide the faucet into place. Secure it to the tub with the faucet screw. Screw the new spout onto the pipe and secure it with the small screw at its base to complete the installation.
Tags: water supply, , faucet hoses, faucet place, holding faucet, holding faucet place, shutoff valves