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Disconnect Old Plumbing — Prepare the Work Area

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Faucet · Step 1 of 10

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In this video

Begin by turning off the water supply to the sink. Place a bucket underneath the drain to catch any residual water. Disconnect the hot and cold water supply lines from the shut-off valves and the faucet. Then, proceed to loosen and remove the P-trap and drain assembly connected to the bottom of the sink.

Goal: Remove all plumbing connections from the old sink

  • If you are not comfortable with plumbing, consider hiring a professional or watching specific tutorials on this step.

Used in this video

  • Adjustable Wrench (Tool Type: Plumbing Tools) — Loosening and tightening plumbing nuts and connections.
  • Slip Joint Pliers (Tool Type: Plumbing Tools) — Gripping and turning various plumbing fittings and nuts.
  • Bucket (Tool Type: Hand tools) — Catching water from the drain trap when it's disconnected.
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FAQs

What specialized tools are essential for replacing a kitchen faucet, especially for a beginner?

A basin wrench (like the TEKTON or Husky models listed) is crucial for reaching and loosening nuts in tight spaces under the sink. An adjustable wrench is also a must-have for supply lines. A sturdy bucket will catch drips and keep your workspace clean.

What's the most critical safety step before I start, and what should I do if old connections are corroded and won't loosen?

Always turn off the water supply to the sink, either at the shut-off valves under the sink or the main house valve. If connections are stuck, apply penetrating oil, let it sit, and use a basin wrench with steady pressure. Avoid excessive force to prevent stripping or damaging pipes.

The project estimates 4 hours, but I'm a complete beginner. Is this realistic, and what could make it take longer?

For a complete beginner, it's wise to budget 6-8 hours. Old, corroded parts, extremely tight working spaces, or unexpected plumbing issues can significantly extend the installation time. Don't rush; taking your time prevents costly mistakes.

After installing the new faucet, I'm noticing drips or leaks. What are the most common culprits I should check?

First, ensure all water supply lines are securely tightened to the faucet and the shut-off valves, but don't overtighten plastic nuts. Next, check if the mounting nuts under the sink are snug and that the faucet's base gasket is properly seated and compressed against the sink surface, preventing leaks from above.

Transcript
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the colors, we got to work. First thing to do is to remove all the plumbing. That's something we're comfortable with, simple plumbing under the sink. So we didn't call it professional, but if you're not comfortable doing that, call it professional or do what we did and watch some YouTube videos and figure it out. It's definitely something you feel confident that you can do yourself.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.