Fixing A Broken Faucet
Faucet replacement is a straightforward task that almost anyone can do. It’s one of those household repairs that don’t really warrant any professional assistance.
Here are the fundamentals that you should know about faucet replacement.
Being Prepared And Choosing Your Faucet
Before you start replacing the broken faucet, you should be prepared and have on hand the tap unit that you would like to use to exchange your current one. You’ll be able to drop by your local ironmongery shop or shop online to pick out the faucet that you just have to have. Having it there before removing the current one will make things work easier and faster for you.
There is a great selection of faucet designs available ranging from the traditional to the ultra modern. For your bathtubs and sinks, you can get single or double handled faucets. Usually, taps have a commonplace size concerning their hook-ups, depending on their use. For kitchen faucets, you’ll be able to find units with an eight in” hookup. Toilet faucets typically come in 4 inch sizes, whereas bathtubs are generally available in 8 inches.
Faucet Measurements
In order to know which faucet to buy, first you need to take some measurements. With your tape measure in hand you will need to do the following:
- For a double handled faucet, take the measurement from the handles’ center to center, this is often your faucet’s size.
- For a single-handled faucet, you need to measure from the the space in between your water hook-up lines to the bottom of the faucet.
Once you know the style and size of your faucet, then you’re already to take out the old faucet and install the new unit.
Tools That You Need
Essentially, you do not require a lot of tools for this task. What you do need are wrenches so that you’ll be able to hold the shut-off valve and take out the provision line that’s going to your faucet. Also, you will need channel lock pliers or a basin wrench, so that you can remove the large nuts that attach the faucet to your sink. It is better to use a basin wrench, due to its special style that makes it ideal for working in tight spaces, such as where your faucet is mounted to your sink.
Steps To Fixing A New Faucet
- turn off the water supply that is linked to your faucet.
- remove the provision lines coming from each side of your faucet.
- take away the big retainer nuts that are holding your faucet to the sink.
- remove the old faucet from the sink.
- clean up your sink and where the recent unit was installed.
Once you’re done cleaning up, place the new unit in the existing holes. You may need some assistance with this so ask somebody to help you keep it centered while putting in the retainer nuts below. When you get the tap in place and the retaining nuts tightly screwed on, you’ll be able to get your water lines connected again. Turn on your water supply and do some tests for leaks.
If you do find some leaks, try reinstalling the unit once more and make sure that you have each part aligned to where it should be. Additionally, if you want you can use plumbers putty or thread tape to prevent leaks or dripping on the joints, especially in between the tap and sink, or the supply line and the faucet.
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