How to Install a New Kitchen Faucet

Faucets are the hardest-working fixtures in your home, and replacing one is the single most effective way to refresh a tired kitchen. While the space beneath the sink is notoriously tight and unforgiving, the actual mechanics of the swap are straightforward once you master the art of working in the dark. Done well, a faucet installation is clean, leak-free, and rock-solid. The secret isn't just tightening the nuts; it is ensuring the mounting hardware is perfectly centered before the finish goes on, preventing the long-term wiggling that eventually leads to a messy disaster inside your cabinet.

Kill the Supply First. Locate the shut-off valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until tight. Open the faucet handle to drain the residual pressure and water trapped in the lines.
Catch the Spillage. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts connecting the supply lines to the valves. Place a bucket or towel underneath to catch the inevitable water spill.
Extract the Old Fixture. Use a basin wrench to unscrew the mounting nuts securing the faucet to the underside of the countertop. Pull the old faucet out from the top and wipe the sink deck clean of old putty or grime.
Position Everything Perfectly. Feed the supply lines and the sprayer hose through the base plate and the mounting hole. Ensure the rubber gasket is correctly seated on the base of the faucet before placing it on the sink.
Tighten Below the Deck. From underneath the sink, slide the metal washer and mounting nut onto the faucet shank. Hand-tighten the nut until snug, then give it a final quarter-turn with your wrench.
Marry Hot and Cold. Attach the hot and cold supply lines to their corresponding valves. Tighten the nuts firmly, but do not overtighten, as this can crack the plastic or crush the rubber seal.
Verify the Seal Holds. Slowly turn on the water valves and check for drips around the connections. Run the faucet for two minutes to flush out any debris and ensure the sprayer diverter is functioning.