Faucet Install: Plumbing Professional Tips
The instructions that are available in package with a new faucet should tell you whatever you need to know for a regular set up. Trouble is, there’s no such thing as a regular set up since every task has its difficulties.
To obtain the answers to one of the most typical issues, we sat down with a professional local plumber in [county], [region] that deals with these faucet situations everyday. Make use of these professional suggestions to make your faucet replacement an easy half-day task instead of an all-day challenge.
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Locate the Source of the Problem
If your faucet has weak pressure or flow, a new faucet most likely isn’t the answer. Here’s how you can track down the source of the problem:
- If both the hot and the cold are weak, the aerator is most likely clogged. Just remove it and clean it to solve the problem.
- If either the hot or the cold (but not both) is weak, then defective supply lines, shutoffs, or supply pipelines are the problem. Supply hoses or shutoff valves are easy enough to change.
Repairing defective or old plumbing is a bigger task, however it can help other fixtures in the home that have low water pressure.
Measure Before You Shop
Before you select a new faucet, check the configuration and spacing on your sink. If you have a three-hole configuration, measure from the center of each handle to find out your spacing.
Standard spacing is generally 4 or 8 in. If you want a single-hole faucet but your sink consists of 3 openings, no problem. Several faucets provide a cover plate to hide the other 2 openings.
Buy Everything You Believe You May Require
When you go to get your brand-new faucet, bring a list of every potential set up product you could need. One trip to return a couple of items is much much easier than several runs to the home improvement store for the stuff you thought you wouldn’t need.
Buy a Basin Wrench
A basin wrench accesses impossible-to-reach nuts below the faucet. It will certainly get to those challenging nuts and take care of just about any other fitting you could come across throughout a faucet set up.
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Set Up the Faucet First
If you’re mounting a new sink, place the faucet to the sink before dropping the sink into place. Having everything in plain sight typically creates much better hookups– and the less time you spend on your back under that sink, the much better.
Test the Shutoffs
Virtually every faucet is attached to shutoff valves below the sink. Yet those old valves often don’t function, and it’s best to know that before you start. If your shutoffs don’t prevent the water circulation, you can repair them or change them.
Or you could shut off the water to the entire property at the primary shutoff valve while you change the faucet.
Clean Off Your Sink Deck
To guarantee an excellent seal between the sink and the brand-new faucet, make sure to clean up the footprint of the old faucet. Scouring powder performs well for soap residue and waste.
For harder lime or rust deposits, a pumice stone is the most effective solution.
Use Plumber’s Putty
Some manufacturers recommend using silicone caulk to secure a faucet or drain, but beware: It can be challenging to apply and can stain all-natural stone. We prefer plumber’s putty. It’s less complicated to work with, and the non-staining variety will not leave spots.
It’s at the same time much less complicated to repair a faucet installation that was set up with putty. Silicone is as much an adhesive as it is a sealer and can make taking things apart challenging.
Change Your P-Trap
Make space under the sink by removing the P-trap. Reusing an old P-trap can be a messy ordeal for your brand-new sink set up. The cost of a plastic P-trap kit is less than $5, and you’ll get peace of mind knowing all those installations are brand-new and clean.
Keep in mind that a lot of bathroom sink drains pipes are 1-1/4 in., and kitchen sink drains pipes 1-1/2 in.
Change Your Supply Lines
Never reuse old supply lines. The last thing you need is water damages from a failed supply line. Even if the hoses are new looking, it is suggested to change them because the rubber washers can fail over time.
Quality supply lines with a knotted stainless steel casing might set you back a little bit a lot more (regarding $8 each), however they’re well worth it.
Buy Leakproof Connections
Each connection calls for a separate amount of torque to tighten up. Over-tightening the slip nuts on a plastic waste line can strip the threads and produce a leaking connection. Always hand-tighten these hookups.
For flexible supply lines, the basic recommendation is to get them to finger tight, then provide a quarter turn with a wrench.
Do not Skimp on the Teflon Tape
A 40-ft. roll of Teflon tape sells for a couple of bucks, so don’t be stingy with it. Be sure you cover all your threaded links clockwise a few times (3 ).
When you thread on that nut, it needs to really feel snug, and the clockwise wrap will certainly keep the tape from unraveling as you tighten up the connection. Teflon tape is just more cheap insurance against any leaks, so don’t skimp.
Remove the Aerator and Clear Out Debris
Plumbing work knocks debris loose inside pipelines. Make certain that water-sediment doesn’t clog your aerator or valves. Remove the aerator and then let both the hot and the cold run for a min to rinse the lines before reinstalling the aerator.
The Final Step: Look For Leaks
When every thing is attached and your water is back on, do a thorough leakage check. Wipe it all down with a dry rag, and then blot your links with bathroom tissue to see if there is any evidence of a slow-moving leakage.
Learn to detect sneaky water leaks inside your home and prevent water damage and waste.
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