How to Change a Kitchen Faucet

If you are looking to replace your kitchen faucet, chances are that you are doing so because it is leaking or it has some other kind of problem. Whether you are replacing your faucet because it has seen better days or because you want to update the look of your kitchen, changing it does not have to be a hard task. A good set of instructions and the right tools is all you need to replace that leaky, old faucet. Follow this set of instructions to learn how.

Throughout this document you will find comments, tips and safety information in italics.

Tools needed: Safety goggles, adjustable wrench, pliers, 8 in 1 screwdriver, bowl, towels, flashlight.

Difficulty level: Medium

Time required: 1.5 to 2 hours

Disclaimer: Read the entire instructable once before attempting to change a faucet. The brand of the faucet being replaced is PriceFister. The brand of the replacement faucet is Moen. Other faucets may be uninstalled/installed differently. If at any time you feel uncomfortable performing any of the steps, seek help from a friend or a professional.

Step 1: Determine What Type of Faucet You Currently Have

Look at the top of the kitchen sink and count the number of components that make up the faucet.

Comment: The faucet shown in the picture (Figure 1) has two main components, the faucet (left) and the sprayer (right). The sprayer uses 1 hole, while the faucet uses either 1 or 3 holes (we don’t know how many at this point).

Tip: Determining what kind of faucet you have is important because it tells you how many holes are available on the kitchen sink for installing the new faucet, and because it tells you the location of the faucet components that you will need to take out when it’s time to climb under the sink.

Step 2: Verify the Kitchen Sink Hole Count

Climb under the kitchen sink and look where the sprayer and faucet are mounted (Figure 2). Count the number of holes that are being used by the faucet.

Comment: The faucet shown in the picture is held in place by two plastic nuts, one on each side, and by a long shaft nut in the middle. The sprayer is held by another plastic nut. There are a total of 4 kitchen-sink holes available.

Tip: While under the sink try to figure out which tools will be best to use.

Step 3: Shut the Water Off

Rotate the hot and cold-water valve knobs (Figure 3) clockwise to turn the water off.

Warning: After shutting off the water, turn the faucet on and verify that there is no water coming out of the faucet. Failure to verify that the water is completely off may result in damage to property or cause bodily injuries, such as scalding.

Step 4: Uninstall the Faucet Component

Turn the plastic nuts counterclockwise with your fingers (Figure 4a) until they come completely off (Figure 4b).

Tip: Fingers are best for unscrewing plastic nuts. If they are on too tight, use a pair of pliers to unscrew them (Figure 4c) .Then remove the plastic nuts with your fingers. (Figure 4d).

Step 5: Remove the Retaining Bracket

Pry down the retaining bracket with your fingers (Figure 5a) until it is completely off (Figure 5b).

Step 6: Remove the Sprayer Base

Turn the plastic nut that is holding the sprayer base counter clockwise (Figure 6a) until it is completely off (Figure 6b).

Step 7: Remove the Sprayer

Turn the sprayer head counterclockwise (Figure 7a) until it is completely away from the base (Figure 7b).

Step 8: Remove the Sprayer Base Pin

Push the retaining pin with a pair of pliers until it is half way out (Figure 8a). Pull it out with your fingers the rest of the way (Figure 8b).

Step 9: Remove the Components From the Hose

Pull out the sprayer base (Figure 9a) and sprayer mount (Figure 9b) away from the hose.

Step 10: Take the Hose Out of the Sink

Push the hose out from the top of the kitchen sink (Figure 10a) and rest it on a bowl under the sink (Figure 10b).

Tip: Resting the hose in a bowl will allow trapped water in the hose to drain into a container and avoid making a puddle in your work area.

Step 11: Unhook the Supply Lines

Turn the supply line nuts counter clockwise until they come out (Figure 11a).

Comment: If the supply lines are too short to be rested on a bowl, wrap a towel around them to catch any water that is trapped inside(Figure 11b).

Step 12: Take the Old Faucet Out

Pull the faucet out of the sink (Figure 12a).

Comment: Clean any residue left on the sink with soapy water and a blade (Figure 12b).

Step 13: Find a New Faucet

Find a faucet that will work with the number of holes that are available on the kitchen sink.

Comment: The faucet requirements shown in the picture (Figure 13) allows for installation on a 2 or 4 hole-sink.

Tip: In step two you figured out the number of holes available in the sink for the new faucet.

Step 14: Set the New Faucet

Feed the lines of the new faucet through one of the sinkholes (Figure 14a) leaving a hole for the sprayer on one of the sides (Figure 14b).

Step 15: Mount the Faucet

Find the mounting hardware provided in the kit and use it to secure the faucet from under the sink (Figure 15a).

Comment: The assembly shown in Figure 15b required a retaining nut to come over the supply lines and then thread on the base.

Step 16: Make Final Adjustments to Mounting Hardware

Tighten up the mounting bracket screws with a screwdriver (Figure 16a).

Comment: Notice how the faucet shown in Figure 16b does not need to be attached on the sides.

Step 17: Attach the Supply Lines

Attach the supply lines to the valves. Do not turn on the water valves yet!

Comment: Tighten the nuts finger tight first (Figure 17a). Then use an adjustable wrench (Figure 17b) to turn them about 3/4 to 1 complete turn.

Tip: Notice that there is no need for an anti-leaking paste or tape because the supply lines have a built in gasket (Figure 17c).

Step 18: Mount the Sprayer

Unscrew the nut from the sprayer mount (Figure 18a) and drop the top of the mount in the sink (Figure 18b).

Step 19: Attach the Sprayer Mount to the Sink

Climb under the sink and screw the retaining nut (Figure 19a) on the bottom of the sprayer mount (Figure 19b).

Step 20: Set the Sprayer Head

Feed the sprayer supply line through the sink mount (Figure 20).

Step 21: Connect the Sprayer to the Faucet

Go under the sink and line up the end of the supply line to the quick connector (Figure 21a). Push the hose into the quick connector until the black bar on the connector makes a clicking sound (Figure 21b).

Tip: Verify that the sprayer hose has no obstacles when it’s pulled out from the top of the sink.

Step 22: Prep the Faucet to Be Flushed Out

Turn the aerator counterclockwise until it comes out (Figure 22a) then unscrew the sprayer head (Figure 22b).

Comment: Make sure that the faucet handle is in the off position.

Step 23: Turn the Water On

Turn the hot and cold water valves counter-clockwise (Figure 23).

Comment: When water valves are not used for long periods of time (years), they may leak from the handle. If this is the case, turn the handles until they are completely on. Turning the handles as far as they can go in the on position may re-seat the sealing gasket in the handle and stop the leak.

Warning: If the valves continue to leak after turning the water valves completely on, then they may need to be replaced. Failure to do so may result in personal injury or damage to property.

Step 24: Flush the Sprayer

Hold the sprayer hose down and turn the faucet handle to the on position for 1 minute (Figure 24a). Then turn the water off and reinstall the sprayer head (Figure 24b).

Tip: Alternate the handle to the hot and cold side a couple of times.

Step 25: Flush the Faucet

Turn the water to the on position (Figure 25a) and flush the faucet for 1 minute. Then reinstall the aerator (Figure 25b).

Tip: Alternate the handle to the hot and cold side a couple of times.

Step 26: Check for Leaks

Look for leaks under the sink (Figure 26). Pay particular attention to the places where you made connections.

Step 27: Congratulations!

You have successfully installed your new faucet!