Done in One Hour: How to Install a Faucet - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Replacing an old, inefficient faucet with one that’s equipped to save water can reduce your consumption by up to 80 percent. When you shop, look for logos such as Eco-Friendly, Energy Star, and Water Sense; these logos designate environmentally conscious features, including low-flow aerators and touchless controls. Donate your old fixture to a good cause (try Habitat for Humanity) or take it to a local recycling center (look in the Yellow Pages). Learn more about water saving products and techniques.

Here is how to install your eco-friendly faucet.

Supplies and Tools:

-Crescent or basin wrench
-Water pump pliers
-Bucket
-Towel

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1) Shut off the water supply. The copper lines that supply hot and cold water to the sink often have shutoff valves under the sink. Turn them off. In some homes, you may need to turn off water elsewhere, such as the lines in the basement that lead to the sink. Once the water supply is off, turn the faucet on to let water and pressure drain from the lines.

2) Disconnect the existing faucet from the plumbing. Use a crescent wrench (or a basin wrench if the nuts are difficult to reach) to disconnect the faucet from the supply lines. Then disconnect the sink from the drainpipes using water pump pliers. Keep a bucket and towel handy to clean up the water that will, inevitably, spill from pipes.

3) Install the faucet on the sink. Follow the installation instructions for your specific faucet. The process typically involves laying a gasket on the sink, then setting the faucet on top of the gasket with its tailpieces extending through the sink’s holes. Tightening a nut on the underside of the sink secures the faucet to the sink.

Complete these steps, then stand back and enjoy your brand new faucet!