How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Faucet

Faucets are the hardest working fixtures in your home, and eventually, their internal seals fail or their finish gives up the ghost. Replacing one is a rite of passage for any homeowner; it transforms the look of a kitchen and eliminates the persistent drip that wastes water and grinds on your nerves. Done well, the process is straightforward, dry, and results in a solid, leak-free connection that lasts for years. The secret to a painless installation isn't in the fancy tools, but in the prep work. Clear out everything from under your sink, lay down a thick towel, and ensure you have a reliable light source. When you reach up behind the basin, you are working blind, so take a moment to understand the configuration of your old mounting hardware before you start wrenching. Patience here saves you from skinned knuckles and accidental plumbing mishaps.

  1. Kill the Water Supply. Locate the shut-off valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until they stop. Open the faucet handle to bleed out the remaining pressure in the lines.
  2. Disconnect the Supply Lines. Place a small bucket under the connections to catch residual water. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the supply lines from the shut-off valves, then disconnect them from the faucet shanks.
  3. Extract the Old Faucet. Use a basin wrench to reach the mounting nuts securing the faucet to the underside of the sink. Unscrew them and lift the old assembly out from the top of the counter.
  4. Prep the Sink Deck. Scrub away any mineral deposits, old putty, or gunk left on the sink deck where the old faucet sat. A clean, smooth surface is the only way to get a watertight seal.
  5. Secure the New Assembly. Feed the new supply lines and the faucet shank through the mounting hole on the sink. From underneath, slide on the rubber gasket and the mounting plate, then tighten the locking nut firmly.
  6. Test for Leaks. Attach the supply lines to the shut-off valves and tighten them until snug—do not overtighten. Slowly turn the water valves back on and check every connection for leaks while running the faucet for a few minutes.