How To Install a Kitchen Faucet

4

Remove Faucet Connections

• You’ll need to take out the old supply line connections to your faucet before you can remove it.
• On a two-handle centerset faucet, the two water supply lines are connected directly to the hot and cold valves. Because the mounting nuts securing the faucet are installed first, you’ll need to unscrew the supply line connections before you can remove them.
• For a single handle faucet, all of your water connections will be part of the spout assembly, since there are no hot and cold handles. On faucets like this where the supply lines are built in, any mounting hardware is made to slide directly over the lines.

One of the difficulties in taking out the old faucet is reaching up into this tight space and gaining enough leverage to remove the connections.

There are a couple of tools that will make this job easier:

• A basin wrench contains a ratcheting head with teeth designed to grip hard-to-reach retaining nuts behind the sink. The handle pivots 90 degrees allowing you to turn it from below.
• The Model 2006 Faucet and Sink Installer is a multipurpose tool designed for several under-the-sink applications.
• After unscrewing the nuts connecting the supply lines to the hot and cold valves, use the basin wrench to take off the nut connecting the diverter to the sprayer hose. If you’re positive you won’t be using the old faucet again, you can cut the line with a pipe or tubing cutter.
• Once you’ve disconnected all of the water lines under the sink, you’re ready to remove the mounting hardware.