How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Does your bathroom faucet function as it should? After a few years of use hardwater and other factors can cause bathtub faucets to malfunction, such as not being able to fully open or close. Replacing old, leaky, or unseemly faucets isn't hard and often does not require a plumber. Common household tools are generally all that’s needed and the task (without additional complications) can be completed in less than an hour. Read below to learn how to remove and replace a bathroom faucet step-by-step with the help of the handy guide from Lowes Home Improvement.

Removing the Old Faucet

The first and highly important step is to turn off the water supply. In most bathrooms you can find the closing knobs on the valves underneath the sink and turn counterclockwise. Drain the pipes of any remaining water and have a container on hand to catch excess liquid. Check to see if the p-trap or drain requires removal to proceed and disconnect them if necessary. Prepare the remaining plumbing for the new faucet by cleaning the area around the drain and faucet holes, using mineral spirits if needing to clear away sealant leftovers or residue.

New Faucet Installation

This guide assumes a pre-existing sink to install a new faucet. If you’re replacing the entire sink, changing the vanity, or attempting another aspect of bathroom remodeling be sure to do the necessary research before proceeding. When you purchase the replacement faucet, you’ll also want to check that the new one matches the holes in your sink. Read the directions from the manufacturer and follow any instructions not included in this guide.

As you begin, place the gasket on top of the hole in the sink and insert the new faucet. Tighten the nuts around the mountain holes and check for proper alignment. Going through the top of the sink, install the rubber washers and drain body with a thin application of silicone between the rubber gasket and the bottom of the sink. Fix it in place with the lock nut and remove excess silicone.

Insert and connect the ball rod and lift rod via the drain assembly, tightening the sleeve by hand tension. Refer to the diagram on the instructions with the new faucet for how to position and attach the ball rod and lift rod with your particular faucet model. Next, connect the water lines to the faucet prior to setting the sink back into place (if you needed to remove it).

Before celebrating your success, flush the faucet and inspect for leaks. Wrap up any loose ends before calling the job done. Do this step with both hot and cold water, running the lines for about one minute. Check that all connections are sound and tight and admire your new faucet.

 

Pro Tip: When working with rusted and stuck components on plumbing parts, use WD-40_® Specialist_® Penetrant to bust rust and free up parts and hardware to move as they should. Our penetrant formula leaves behind a light lubricant and protective coating to ensure the rust stays away when you’re done.