Kitchen Faucet Replacement

Leaky kitchen sink faucet is something no one wants to come home to. The constant water dripping from the faucet just doesn't let anyone rest in peace or sleep in the night. The last thing you want to do is take the day off from work and call the plumber to work on the kitchen faucet replacement. On top of that, the actual sink faucet repair cost is not so high that you can't do it yourself, but the plumber sure charges for it like the repairing is some sort of rocket science. Learn how to finish a minor plumbing task with some simple tools and directions.

Replace the Kitchen Faucet

• First of all, you will need to turn water supply to the sink off. Check if the water has stopped, and if still it hasn't, you might need to turn the handles of the two valves which control the water supply to the sink faucet.
• You might have to turn the entire connection of the house (which can be located in the basement). Turn the tap so that you can drain the excess water out of the faucet before you begin the replacement. Also, this technique releases the air pressure as well.
• The water supply lines which bring water from the pipes to the sink faucet need to be freed. Look for the shut-off valve and disconnect it.
• Remove the handles and the plate (or base of the faucet) to disassemble the sink faucet. Now you can see the nuts that are fastened on the faucet to keep it in place. The faucets that are mounted on top have this technique of placing the nuts underneath the sink. Unscrew the attached nuts with a wrench.
• Clean the area with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar where the old faucet was. You will need to apply some putty of chalk near the edges of the base. Perhaps the new faucet has a rubber or plastic gasket on its base. If so, then skip the step of applying the putty or chalk.
• Place the top-mounted new sink faucet in its place and put some pressure on it (if you have applied the putty) so it seals in place. Mount the washers and nuts on the tail-pieces to keep the new faucet in position. Secure everything tightly with the wrench holding the faucet in place.
• Now comes the bottom-mount. Keep holding the faucet from underneath the kitchen sink and place the washers and nuts in. Make sure the faucet is in place before you secure the washers and nuts tightly.
• Where the escutcheons (the base plate) is, apply a thin layer of putty or chalk covering all the edges. Now comes the handles for attachment. Once everything is secure in its place, clean the excess putty or chalk off.
• Turn the water supply back on by reconnecting the new supply lines which came with the faucet. All you had to do was reattach the lines in the same manner you took them off. If you haven't installed the new supply lines, then only reattach the old ones and turn the water on. If the flow is as you expected and has no leaks, you have successful finished your kitchen faucet repair.

Replace the O-Ring

• Here's an effortless approach on how to fix a dripping faucet. You will find the aerator and disassemble it from your faucet's opening. This is the end part of the opening which allows the water to flow through. With the help of a wrench, hold the aerator and twist it open in a counterclockwise manner.
• Detach the old O-ring (the rubber ring)which you will find on the opening of the aerator. Take a flat screwdriver and lift it off the aerator.
• Clean the surface area before you reinstall the faucet with a new O-ring. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub away the mildew that has formed near the holes of the aerator.
• Press the new O-ring in the aerator and assemble it to the faucet's opening. Turn it in the clockwise manner to secure the faucet in place. Use the wrench again, holding the aerator, and fasten it to the faucet opening.

Wasn't that an easy way to learn how to replace a kitchen faucet? Follow the directions mentioned above for any specific issue with your leaky kitchen faucet. One quick tip before you can get back to your dripping faucet: follow the exact instructions which is provided to you when you buy any new home improvement appliances and/or hardware.