How to Install a Kitchen Faucet and Give Your Kitchen a New Look

How to Install a Kitchen Faucet

1. Shut Off the Water Supply

   Turn the hot and cold valve handles clockwise to shut off the water supply to the existing kitchen faucet. The valve handles are located inside the sink base cabinet.

   Tip

   If the valves are difficult to shut off, turn off the water to the entire house at the main water shut-off valve.

2. Remove the Existing Kitchen Faucet

   Remove the existing kitchen faucet by first unscrewing the flexible water supply lines from the supply valves. Unscrew the faucet locking nut that secures the threaded lower shank of the faucet body against the bottom of the sink. From above, pull the entire kitchen faucet assembly with attached lines out of the sink.

3. Prepare the Sink Rim

   Clean all soap scum and other debris from the sink rim around the installation holes. The faucet body must rest solidly and squarely on the rim.

4. Add the Deck Plate (Optional)

   For three-hole sinks, place the deck plate over the holes. Fit the silicone or rubber gasket into the top of the deck plate.

5. Run the Supply Lines Into the Sink

   Insert the faucet’s flexible water supply lines into the center hole. The supply lines are often pre-attached to the faucet. Bundle the lines with your free hand to guide them into the hole.

6. Attach the Faucet Locking Nut

   From below, screw the large faucet locking nut onto the threaded shank. After hand-tightening the nut, further tighten the nut with the basin wrench.

   Note

   Some kitchen faucet kits come with a cylindrical plastic tightening tool, which acts much like a basin wrench.

7. Attach the Counterweight (Optional)

   If the kitchen faucet has a pull-down sprayer, attach the counterweight 3 to 4 inches above the lowest part of the sprayer hose’s draped loop. Some sprayer hoses indicate the counterweight location with a colored mark.

8. Apply Pipe Tape to the Valves

   Wrap pipe tape (also known as PFTE or Teflon tape) around the male threads of the shut-off valves. Wind the tape clockwise.

9. Connect the Water Supply Lines

   Attach the faucet’s water supply lines to the house’s hot and cold shut-off valves. Screw on by hand at first, then finish by tightening with pliers.

10. Test the Faucet

    Turn the water valves counter-clockwise to open them. Turn slowly and use the flashlight to observe the threaded connections for leaks. Turn on the faucet and check around the faucet base or deck plate for leaks.

Tips for Kitchen Faucet Installation

• Most leaks will develop immediately if the faucet was installed incorrectly or if the product is defective.
• Do not attach the sprayer hose counterweight to the bottom of the loop. It must be located a few inches up.
• Double-check to make sure that you’re attaching the faucet’s hot and cold supply lines to the correct hot and cold valves.
• Newer 3/8-inch water lines will not fit on 1/2-inch water supply valves. Some kitchen faucet kits supply adapters or they can be purchased at most home centers.

When to Call a Professional

Kitchen faucet installation should be within the skill set of most homeowners. Unique kitchen faucets like wall-mounted pot fillers should be installed by an experienced plumber. Kitchen faucets that tap into tankless water heaters also are candidates for professional installation.