In the Kitchen

INSTALLING A KITCHEN FAUCET & DRAIN

While the prospect of installing a new kitchen sink faucet and/or replacing the drainage pipes of a kitchen sink may seem daunting, they are actually some of the simplest home improvement projects to undertake. With the right tools, parts and the proper assistance, the job becomes fairly simple. This guide should provide assistance with the installation of a new kitchen faucet and drains. It is recommended to have a number of tools available for these jobs, including but not limited to a basin wrench, adjustable wrench, channel lock pliers, Phillips & flat head screwdrivers, a nut driver, plumber’s putty and a putty knife.

INSTALLING A NEW KITCHEN FAUCET

The first step is to shut off the water supply to the sink and then drain the water in the faucet and pipes by turning the faucet on. Once the pressure is relieved and any remaining water has passed through, disconnect the faucet from the water supply lines. This can be done with an adjustable wrench or a basin wrench if the space underneath the sink is too small to use a standard wrench. Once the water supply lines have been disconnected, loosen and remove the retaining nuts that fasten the faucet to the sink body. The faucet should be easily removable at this point. Lift the faucet out of the sink and take note of the available holes in the sink body. This is to ensure that the faucet bought for replacement matches up with the available slots in the sink body. Check the water supply lines for wear and corrosion, it may warrant a replacement if they are damaged.

Once a suitable replacement has been found, take the replacement faucet to the sink and ensure that it matches up correctly with the sink body. If the faucet fits, use the putty knife to scrape off any old plumber’s putty or other buildup before the faucet is placed. Once the surface is cleaned, place a new ring of plumber’s putty around the edges of the area where the new faucet will be placed. If the new faucet came with a gasket, set that down first. Place the new faucet in the sink and press down firmly. Go underneath the sink and screw on the retaining nuts on the bottom of the faucet water pipes. If replacement supply lines were bought, connect them to the water supply and their respective faucet lines. If the faucet came with individual handles not connected to the main faucet body, attach and install them at this point. When everything has been properly tightened and connected, turn the water lines back on and turn the faucet on to check for leaks.

INSTALLING A NEW SINK DRAIN

If the sink drain pipes have aged and are starting to deteriorate, they will need to be replaced so that they do not continually leak. It is a good idea to purchase the replacement parts prior to disassembling the drain system. In many cases, the replacement parts that will be needed are the sink basket strainers, sink drain tailpiece, trap adapter and the PVC p-trap.

The first step is to remove the old drain parts. This can be done easiest by removing the p-trap first. It is a good idea to place either a towel or bucket underneath the p-trap when it is being disconnected so as to catch any water that may spill out when the trap is removed. If a dishwasher is installed next to the sink, remove the hose that is attached to the drain by loosening the clamp that secures the hose to the drain pipe. Once the p-trap has been removed, remove the drain tailpipe. Unscrew the retaining nut on the basket strainer and push upwards to dislodge it. Remove the old strainer and clear out any old plumber’s putty at the bottom of the sink.

At this point, the new installation process can begin. Form a ring with plumber’s putty that will fit the underside of the strainer rim and press firmly. Once that is done, put the strainer in the drain hole of the sink and again press down firmly. At the underside of the sink, place a rubber gasket on the basket strainer followed by a washer and then finally thread on the lock nut. Using a pair of pliers to hold the strainer in place, tighten the lock nut with a wrench so that the strainer is secure. Do not over-tighten it or there is a risk of damage to the sink. Remove any excess plumber’s putty that may have been forced out at the top or bottom of the strainer. After the strainer has been secured in place, the tailpiece can be inserted. First, insert the washer at the top of the pipe, and then tighten the slip-nut so that it securely fastened to the strainer. Now that the drainer and tailpiece are in place, the p-trap can be installed. First, test fit the replacement p-trap and mark to cut the inlet portion if it is too long. The inlet should fit smoothly into the end of the drainage pipe. After ensuring that the pipes are adjusted correctly, insert the p-trap. Afterward, fasten the slip-nuts and tighten them with a wrench.