There's nothing quite so annoying
as listening to a faucet drip, and even worse, the thought of wasting
water and throwing money down the drain along with that wasted water.
Replacing a faucet is not nearly as daunting as many people think,
and requires a few easy steps. Save your hard-earned money for something
better than the plumber and do it yourself.When replacing a faucet, the first
thing to do, every time, is to turn off the water. Then, open both
faucets and allow water left in the lines to drain. In most cases,
water knobs are found under faucets, usually with both a hot and
cold water line.
Have everything ready, including necessary
tools, which mean wide mouth pliers or a small monkey wrench.
Then:
1)Disengage the old faucet lines beneath
the sink. Gently tug the old faucet free of the sink top.
2)Following instructions provided
in your new faucet kit, insert faucet assembly into sink, making
sure to place washers or gaskets to allow waterproof seal.
3)Re-connect hot and cold water tubes
to the hot and cold water lines beneath the sink. To ensure a tight
seal, apply plumber's tape or putty to the threaded end of the hoses
before connecting. Tighten firmly, but try to avoid over-tightening,
as you may strip the threads and cause a leak.
4)Turn both faucets into the 'On'
position and then slowly open the water lines. Leave water running
until air has escaped from lines and water flows freely. Check for
leaks both at the faucet seal and below the sink.
If this is the first time you've attempted
to replace a faucet, carefully read the instructions that come with
the new faucet assembly. The most important thing to remember is
that you need a watertight seal, especially where the faucet sits
on the sink top. Make sure that the rubber seal or gasket is not
bent or twisted as you place it on the sink top. Take your time
and double check that all tubes are firmly tightened, and your new
faucet should be ready to use.
