How to Replace a Bathroom Sink Faucet

If your bathroom sink faucet is old and leaks, or if it is just time to update with a new style, you need to change the faucet hardware. Home stores have wide selections of sink faucets in all shapes, sizes and styles. Whatever type you choose, installing a new bathroom sink faucet is easy.

Materials and Tools Needed to Install a New Faucet

The most obvious thing needed to install a new bathroom sink faucet is the new faucet fixture itself. Before purchasing one, figure out what type of faucet you already have. Two knob faucet fixtures usually have holes drilled through the counter top about four inches apart. Unless you want to re-drill holes, buy a faucet fixture that matches the existing holes in your counter.

Besides the new faucet fixture, you will need teflon tape, plumber's putty or other caulking fit for plumbing jobs, and cleaning supplies. A basic adjustable wrench and screwdrivers are also needed.

Removing the Old Bathroom Sink Faucet

Before doing anything else, make sure to turn off the water to the sink or in your entire house and run the excess water out of the lines.

Begin by popping the removable caps off the faucet handles. They may be small plastic circles or the entire handle fixture, depending on the faucet. Below should be a screw that holds the handle to the hardware below. Remove both the hot and cold water sides.

After these handles are off, you will see the stem and washer assembly on each side. The visible part will probably be a metal stalk and a plastic piece inserted into a metal fitting. Unscrew the metal ring holding this in on each side and remove it.

To remove the rest of the faucet fixture, you will have to get under the sink and loosen the nuts holding the water supply lines to the bathroom sink faucet fixture. After these are removed, you will find large plastic nuts that are screwed on to the brass faucet stalks. These hold the faucet fixture onto the countertop. Unscrew these and pull the faucet fixture off of the bathroom sink counter.

After the old faucet of off the bathroom sink counter, clean the whole area very well. The area must be clean and dry before you put on the new bathroom sink faucet.

Putting the New Bathroom Sink Faucet On

The steps for putting on the new bathroom sink faucet are opposite those for taking the old one off. Begin by sliding the faucet connector bolts into the existing holes in the counter. Use a rubber ring or some type of caulk between the faucet base and the counter top. Then use the plastic nuts to screw the faucet fixture down tightly onto the counter.

Next, you must reconnect the water lines to the sink faucet. Check to make sure the threads are clean and all washers or o-rings are in place and in good condition. Use the basic wrench to tighten the brass nut around the fitting again.

The last step in replacing your bathroom sink faucet is to turn the water back on and test the whole thing. If there are no leaks, great! If there are, check the water supply lines, the stem and valve fittings under the faucet knobs or call a plumber.