Home Improvement Ideas Plumbing Installations & Repairs How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet Learn how to replace a kitchen faucet so you can upgrade your kitchen in an hour or less. By Timothy Dale Updated on June 30, 2024 Close Photo: Anthony-Masterson Project Overview Working Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $75 to $250+ The kitchen faucet is one of the most-used plumbing fixtures in your home. It's used for food preparation and cleanup, as well as countless purposes throughout the day. But over time, faucets begin to show signs of wear, like low water pressure, faulty valves, leaks, or even cracks in the body of the faucet. When a faucet breaks down, it puts the entire kitchen at risk of water damage. So, it's best to replace the defective faucet as soon as you notice significant signs of wear and tear. Fortunately, replacing a kitchen faucet is a relatively easy job for an experienced DIYer. By following these simple steps, you can learn how to replace a kitchen faucet altogether (or fix it) on your own. And don't worry, we'll also tell you when to turn to a professional plumber for help. The 7 Best Kitchen Faucets of 2024, According to Testing How to Choose a New Kitchen Faucet A kitchen faucet replacement doesn't take long, so you'll want to have all the necessary parts on hand before you begin. When selecting a new kitchen faucet, consider all the necessary design factors—like the spout height, spout reach, number of holes in the sink, handle type, and sprayer type. Spout Height For the spout height and reach, keep in mind the size of your sink and any restrictions, like overhead cabinets. Otherwise, you could end up with a new faucet that doesn't fit under the cabinets or isn't long enough to reach the majority of the sink. Holes Similarly, you should look for a new kitchen faucet that's compatible with the number of holes in your sink. Most kitchen faucet kits come with a base plate to cover up any extra holes, but if the sink doesn't have enough holes, you may need to find a compatible product or attempt to drill or cut additional holes through the sink or countertop. Handle and Sprayer Handle and sprayer options are nearly endless these days, so consider your needs and daily tasks to find the best fit. You can opt for single-handle or double-handle designs, depending on your preference. Some faucets come with pull-down sprayers that extend down from the end of the faucet. Others come with pull-out sprayers housed separately from the main faucet. Weigh your preferences and consider your space and sink configuration before deciding which one is right for you. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Channellock pliers Materials Bucket Towel Kitchen faucet kit Plumber's tape Instructions How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet Prepare the Area Start this simple project by opening the cabinets under the sink and clearing out any items so you have space to work. Place a towel on the bottom of the cabinet and position a bucket under the hot and cold water lines to catch any drips. If you have a garbage disposal, turn off or disconnect the power before proceeding. Turn Off Water With the area prepared, turn off the water to the kitchen sink by turning the valves located on the hot and cold water lines. Closing these valves will cut off water to the sink, but will not turn off the water to any other faucets, showers, or fixtures in the home. Open the faucet to drain some of the water from the fixture and relieve the pressure on the lines. How to Turn Off the Water to Your House Disconnect Water Lines Use a set of Channellock pliers to loosen the nuts on the hot and cold water lines until they are loose enough that you can operate them with your fingers. Detach one hose at a time, ensuring that any excess water is drained into the bucket. If you have a sprayer, take this opportunity to disconnect the water line from the sprayer as well. Remove Old Faucet Once the water lines are disconnected, use the Channellock pliers to loosen the locking nuts on the base of the faucet. These nuts secure the faucet to the sink. After removing the locking nuts, lift the old faucet out of the sink and place it in the bucket. Prepare New Faucet for Installation Typically, a faucet kit comes with instructions for installation provided by the manufacturer. In some cases, the manufacturer may suggest adding plumber's tape to the threads to create a better seal, while other products may advise against this. Check the manufacturer's directions for your specific product to determine if plumber's tape is necessary. If you need plumber's tape for your kitchen faucet, wrap the threads of the water line connection two to three times. Before proceeding, consider using a multipurpose product to scrub any dirt, grime, or residue left on the sink from the old faucet and to clean the kitchen drains as well. Cover Extra Sink Holes Depending on the number of sink holes required for the new kitchen faucet, you might find there's an extra, unused sink hole. This additional hole can be covered with trim rings or a deck plate, instead of leaving a hole in the countertop. Alternatively, you can use an extra hole to install a built-in soap dispenser or a sink sprayer. How Workstation Sinks Can Maximize Flow and Efficiency Secure the Faucet Slide the water line hoses and the new faucet down through the holes in the sink. If you have a single-handle faucet, all of the lines will enter through the same central hole. If you have a two-handled faucet or a faucet and sprayer setup, you may end up threading the hoses through the holes on either side of the central hole. Once the faucet is in place, attach the locking nuts to the base of the faucet. Hand-tighten the locking nuts, then use Channellock pliers to finish tightening up the nuts. Make sure not to overtighten these parts to avoid cracking the nuts. Reconnect Water Lines Connect the hose for the cold water to the cold water line and connect the hose for the hot water to the hot water line, then use your pliers to tighten the nuts on these connections. If the new kitchen faucet has a sprayer, connect the sprayer hose to the base of the faucet, and use the pliers to tighten up the connection, if necessary. Remove the Aerator Dirt, dust, and other debris can get trapped in the line, creating flow and pressure problems, so before testing the new faucet, it's recommended to remove the aerator from the faucet outlet and turn on the faucet. This will allow any debris in the line to flow out of the faucet when the water is turned back on. How to Clean a Faucet Head to Remove Buildup and Hard Water Spots Turn the Water On Double-check the water line connections to ensure they're snug, then turn on the cold water valve and the hot water valve. If you leave the faucet in the open position as indicated, the water will flow into the faucet and force out any trapped air or debris in a brief sputter that should pass within a few seconds. When the water comes out in a smooth flow, you can turn off the faucet and reattach the aerator. Test for Leaks Check all connections under the sink and at the base of the faucet to make sure the repair was successful. If you're concerned about any connections or potential leaks, use your pliers to tighten the nuts. Consider leaving the bucket and towel under the sink for an hour or two or until you can confirm the new sink is leak-free. How to Install a Drop-In Kitchen Sink When to Call a Professional Plumbing can be unpredictable. You might open the cabinet under the sink expecting a relatively straightforward job and end up with a plumbing nightmare. In these situations, it's best to consult with a professional plumber to avoid costly mistakes. For example, you might discover that the hot and cold water lines leading to your kitchen faucet don't have independent shut-off valves. If this is the case, you can still complete the job by turning off the water to the entire home. If you can't find the main shut-off valve or find it is inoperable, contact a professional for help. You might also require a plumber if you your water lines are leaking or your valves have seized. Some experienced DIYers can handle these problems, but if you don't have a lot of plumbing knowledge, it's best to call in a contractor or plumber. A professional can quickly fix the issue before it causes extensive water damage, wood rot, and mold growth. 8 Common Causes of Household Leaks (and How to Prevent Them) Frequently Asked Questions What are the most common signs of faucets in need of replacement or repair? Common faucet red flags include drips, leaks, clogs, slow water pressure, and overly tight or loose handles. However, the signs of trouble may not be outwardly visible. Worn-out faucets may also have degraded or worn-out internal parts, like connectors or tubes. How often should a faucet be replaced? If you’re content with your kitchen layout and everything works as it's supposed to (including the sink, pipes, and electrical wires) a kitchen faucet should last at least 10 or 15 years. However, if there’s a leak, rust, or major issues as stated above (or if you simply want to update the look of your kitchen) do so before any other problems arise. Are all kitchen faucets the same size? No, kitchen faucet sizes are not universal, but most faucet holes are 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) in diameter. Common kitchen faucet sizes are 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch, but there are other sizes available. So, measure your space and your sink before purchasing a new faucet.