Skip to main content

Install New Faucet and Reconnect Plumbing — Install the New Bathtub Faucet

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Install a New Bathtub Faucet: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 4 of 4

Helpful?

In this video

Carefully insert the new faucet's threaded inlets through the holes in the shower wall. From underneath, thread the new mounting nuts onto the faucet inlets and hand-tighten them to secure the faucet firmly against the wall. Then, reconnect the hot and cold water supply lines to their respective inlets on the new faucet, tightening them by hand. Finally, reattach the shower hose to the top of the faucet from inside the shower.

Goal: Install and connect new faucet

18.1K views15410 minutes
This Old House

2.2M subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

How realistic is the 3-hour estimate for a beginner, and what common issues might extend the installation time?

While 3 hours is a good estimate for an experienced DIYer, beginners should budget more time, perhaps 4-6 hours. Unexpected challenges like rusted connections, stripped screws, limited access, or needing to retrieve forgotten tools can significantly extend the process. Patience is key, as rushing can lead to mistakes.

What are the absolute essential safety precautions I must take before starting to install a new bathtub faucet?

Always turn off the main water supply to your home and fully drain the lines by opening a lower-level faucet before beginning to prevent flooding. Ensure the work area is dry and well-lit to avoid slips. Be mindful of any nearby electrical outlets, though direct electrical work is not part of this project.

What are the most common mistakes that lead to leaks after installing a new bathtub faucet, and how can I prevent them?

Leaks often occur from improperly tightened connections (either too loose or overtightened, stripping threads). Ensure all supply line connections are hand-tightened, then given a final quarter to half-turn with a wrench. Always use plumber's tape on threaded connections and plumber's putty where recommended by the faucet manufacturer for seals around the base.

Are there any additional tools or materials, beyond those listed, that would be helpful for a smoother bathtub faucet installation?

Yes, having a bucket or old towels for draining water and potential drips is essential. A flashlight for working in tight, dark spaces is highly recommended. Depending on your current setup, a basin wrench might be invaluable for reaching nuts in confined areas, and plumber's tape is usually needed for threaded connections.

Transcript
Hide

All right cap back on. Okay so now I'm just going to head back over to where I took out the old one and we're going to put it back in. So just to remind you these are the two that I took off and these are the two new ones that came with the fixture. So I'm going to use these this time. So here's my new fixture with the caulking just a very thin layer and then once I actually attach it I'm just going to wipe that off also the excess that comes out. So you're just going to put it back in these two holes and pull it on here and then you're going to attach these little rings on the backside. Okay I'll now show you what it looks like on the other side. So I just screwed in the backside and I'll screw in this front one here. So you just put it over and screw it on and now I'm going to tighten it tightly as I can. Okay so those are both on and now I'm ready to attach my water supply again. So the pipes obviously they haven't moved. They stayed where they are. So this is the cold water and this one back here that you can't really see because this one back here that's the hot water. So I'm just going to reattach them and then I have to go outside, turn on the water and we'll see how it goes. Okay I can take out the type of wire now since I won't be needing this I hope and just check and wipe up any excess down here. Okay so I haven't tightened them as much as I could have yet so I'm going to try and do that now. Both of them are now on as tight as I can get them. Fingers crossed it's as tight as they are on when they started. I don't think so so I might try to wiggle some more but the other problem is if you overtighten them is also not good. I might just turn on the water and see what happens. Okay and the last thing I got to do is attach my hose again. All right let's turn on the water. Okay so I just

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.