Skip to main content
Stesso
Project

Install New Faucet — Clean the Sink Surface

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Faucet · Step 5 of 10

Helpful?

In this video

Wipe the surface of the sink and countertop to remove any old grime or sealant. Place the new faucet into the mounting holes. From underneath, thread the mounting nuts onto the faucet shanks and tighten them by hand. Connect the water supply lines to the new faucet and the shutoff valves, ensuring they are snug.

Goal: Generic Faucet Installation (Two-Handle)

  • Long arms are an advantage when working in deep, narrow cabinets. If needed, you can tighten the nuts with a basin wrench.

Used in this video

  • Paper Towel (brand: unknown) — Cleaning the sink surface
14.5K views20 minutes
Fix This House

601K subscribers

View Channel

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
Hide

Out with the old, clean the area, and in with the new. Now, before you guys rate my comments talking about how I didn't clean the area well enough, oh my god, oh! Most of that was actually just the countertop design. Now, the good thing about small cabinets is, if you have long enough arms, here's a good angle right there, and you use your monkey arms to actually tighten it and not have to squeeze your whole body under the cabinet. Now, if you haven't noticed already, this is a project source faucet with the drain.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.