Installing a New Bathroom Faucet

Bathroom faucets are an excellent do-it-yourself project that take some basic hand tools, a bit of patience and the ability to work under a sink. Learning how to install a new bathroom faucet is a simple and rewarding process, so let’s get to work.

1. Remove existing faucet.

Remove the existing faucet and turn off the water supply. Remove the hot and cold water handles on your existing faucets. Many handles have a small plastic cover in the center. Use a knife to pry up the plastic center. Use a screwdriver to detach the handles. Lift the handle straight up. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the nut surrounding the stem of the hot and cold water mechanisms. Position a bucket below the handles to catch water. Use an under-sink wrench to remove the nut surrounding the stem of hot and cold water mechanism from below if needed.

2. Detach the drain lifter.

Detach the drain lifter and remove the rod. Carefully save the under-sink connector or strap.

3. Remove the water supply lines.

Use a wrench to remove the nuts surrounding the water supply lines for the hot and cold water mechanisms. Save the compression fittings and nuts. If there are no compression-fitting nuts, position a bucket to catch water and use a hacksaw to cut supply pipes. Have a cloth or rag ready to mop up water.

4. Place the existing faucet in a bucket.

Place the existing faucet in a bucket and allow it to drain. Mop up any water from the removal process. Set aside all nuts, compression rings and other fittings.

5. Install the new faucet.

Put the new faucet in place and tighten the fittings by hand. Adjust the location and then tighten the fittings.

6. Attach the new drain lifter.

Attach the new drain lifter. Reuse the old connecting rod or strap.

7. Make connection to the water supply.

Make connection to the water supply. Align the hot and cold water mechanisms with the water supply lines. Slip on the nut; then slip on the compression fitting. Use plumber’s tape or brush on plumber?s seal on the threads of the water supply connection. Slide the compression fitting down to the end of the supply tube and the nut over the threaded connection by hand; and then tighten with a wrench.

8. Test it out.

Turn on the water and test. Turn on the water supply slowly, testing the cold water first. Check each connection. Wait for slow drips, if any. Tighten lightly, as over-tightening can damage the faucet parts and cause leaks. Run the water through the mechanisms and clear small bits left over from manufacturing process and then pat yourself on the back.

Installing an Under-Mount Sink

Installing a kitchen sink is an easy Do-It-Yourself project that can significantly change the overall look of one of the most important rooms in your home.

Time: No more than half a day

Price Range: $250-$500

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

• glue
• sink
• (Optional) Undermount Sink Installation Tool
• sink mounting clips
• silicone caulk
• strainer assembly

Step 1: Position and Cut the New Sink Opening

Place the sink cut-out template on the countertop, where the sink is to be installed. Trace around the outside perimeter with a pencil. When tracing the sink opening, set it back at least 1-1/2″ from the front edge of the countertop. If the countertop is wider (front to back) than 24″, leave more than 1-1/2″ to retain strength at the front edge, but no more than 3″ to 4″.

After tracing, remove the template. Use a straightedge if necessary to straighten out the traced outline. Use a drill with a 7/8″ spade bit to drill four pilot holes, one in each corner inside the outline. These holes will be your starting points for sawing the hole, so they must be large enough to fit the blade of a jig saw or keyhole saw.

Cut the hole for the sink, using a jig saw to cut along the outline between each hole. Because the rim of the sink will cover the sawed edges, it’s important to follow the line but not crucial for the edges to be perfectly straight. If you don’t have a jigsaw, a keyhole saw will work just as well for both curved and straight cuts.

Step 2: Install the Sink

Instructions:

1. Clean the bottom of the slab where the anchor bolt will go as to be free of any debris whatsoever. Surface must be dry and clean, it should also be rough so that the glue may bond well.
2. Position the sink in its desired location and mark it on the bottom, also mark the locations of all anchors now (as suggested above). Depending on site conditions the amount and position of clips may vary. You can install the anchors either face up or face down, face down is the easiest and fastest.
3. Mix enough glue for all clips, place a dab on the intended location and place the anchor on top of the glue, flatten the excess glue flush with the anchor plate, the plate should have about 1/16” of glue on it. Let dry accordingly.
4. Place a small bead of caulking between the sink and the surface.
5. Install the sink in its desired location. insert clip into anchor, then the washer then the butterfly nut, tighten gently. If the clip does not sit on the sink and surface properly you will need to bend it as shown on 2, so it may tighten.
6. Once you are content with the position of the sink tighten clips as needed.
(Image 1 shows recommended mounting clip placement.) (Image 2: Overmount Sink Fastening Detail.)

FOLLOW ALL LOCAL BUILDING AND SAFETY CODES IN YOUR AREA.
THE ABOVE IS ONLY A SUGGESTED METHOD TO BE PREFORMED AT YOUR
OWN RISK. REFER TO OSHA FOR PROPER SAFETY PRACTICES.

Installing a kitchen sink is an easy Do-It-Yourself project that can significantly change the overall look of one of the most important rooms in your home.

Time: No more than half a day

Price Range: $250-$500

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

• plumber’s putty
• sink
• garbage disposal unit
• sink mounting clips
• silicone caulk
• strainer assembly

Step 1: Position and Cut the New Sink Opening

Place the sink cut-out template on the countertop, where the sink is to be installed. Trace around the outside perimeter with a pencil. When tracing the sink opening, set it back at least 1-1/2″ from the front edge of t

he countertop. If the countertop is wider (front to back) than 24″, leave more than 1-1/2″ to retain strength at the front edge, but no more than 3″ to 4″.

After tracing, remove the template. Use a straightedge if necessary to straighten out the traced outline. Use a drill with a 7/8″ spade bit to drill four pilot holes, one in each corner inside the outline. These holes will be your starting points for sawing the hole, so they must be large enough to fit the blade of a jig saw or keyhole saw.

Cut the hole for the sink, using a jig saw to cut along the outline between each hole. Because the rim of the sink will cover the sawed edges, it’s important to follow the line but not crucial for the edges to be perfectly straight. If you don’t have a jigsaw, a keyhole saw will work just as well for both curved and straight cuts.

Step 2: Prep the New Sink

Before installing the sink, place a bead of plumbers putty along the edge of the drain opening inside the sink and press the strainer body into place. Turn the sink upside down and tighten the strainer locknut with a wrench. While tightening, hold the strainer steady with pliers the keep it from turning. Wipe away any excess plumber’s putty.

Fit the gasket

on the sink drain pipe (tailpiece) and attach it to the strainer bottom with a slip nut. Tighten this nut by hand. For most threaded connections, apply a sealant such as plumbers putty, silicone tape or “pipe dope” to the threads to ensure a watertight connection.

If a garbage disposal will be installed with the sink, attach the unit directly below the drain fitting before installing the tailpiece. In this project, the disposal unit is attached to a second sink bowl. Turn the unit clockwise until it’s securely attached.

Attach the drain pipe assembly that comes with your sink.

Step 3: Install the Sink

Apply a “rope” of plumbers putty around the perimeter of the underside of the sink or plumbing caulk. Flip the sink over and carefully place it, with all of the drains and attachments secured, into the hole. Press down firmly to seat the sink against the countertop.

Use mounting clips to pull the sink down tight to the countertop. These clips hook onto the sink lip from below the countertop. Tighten with a screwdriver.

After the sink is positioned and securely in place, place plumbers putty around the underside of the faucet body or its mounting plate and install it into the sink. (Image 1 shows recommended mounting clip placement.) (Image 2: Overmount Sink Fastening Detail.)

Image 1

Image 2

Attach all plumbing connections to the house drain line and water supply tubing. Apply a bead of silicone caulking around the perimeter of the sink where it meets the counter to seal any gaps. Fill the sink with water and leave it overnight to add weight and help it settle in place. Afterward, re-tighten the sink clips if necessary.

FOLLOW ALL LOCAL BUILDING AND SAFETY CODES IN YOUR AREA.
THE ABOVE IS ONLY A SUGGESTED METHOD TO BE PREFORMED AT YOUR
OWN RISK. REFER TO OSHA FOR PROPER SAFETY PRACTICES.