Installing a kitchen faucet is not as hard as you might think. Discover how to install a faucet as Tim guides you step by step. The first thing to do is to read the printed instructions from the manufacturer. Do not skip this important step.
The opening between the faucet and the countertop, or sink surface, must be sealed. Some faucets come with a built-in thin rubber seal. If the faucet you use does not have a seal, then use a ring of plumber's putty.
Use the large nuts to draw the faucet tight to the countertop. It is best to use a special plumbing basin wrench for this job. The design of the basin wrench allows you to reach the tight space between the sink and the cabinet. The swivel head allows you to use the wrench to tighten or loosen nuts.
The next step is to continue the water supply to the faucet. Tim prefers to use flexible supply lines with a braided stainless steel covering. This acts like armor that keeps the supply line from bursting. The supply lines come in a variety of lengths. Purchase the length the fits your plumbing job. The ends of the supply lines will have different size nuts. The larger nut connects to the brass threads on the valve outlet. The smaller nut is a 3/8 compression nut. This is a common size for shut off valves or fittings that solder to copper pipe.
When installing the supply line between the water line and the faucet, it is important to flush out the water line before connecting the supply lines. Why? Because there can be small pieces of copper shavings, sediment in the water pipe or leftover flux from the soldered connections. You do not want that material to get up into the faucet.
The basin wrench is needed to connect the supply line to the valve outlet. A regular open-end wrench can be used to connect the supply line to the shut-off valve or the water line fitting.
If the faucet comes with a veggie spray, be sure to connect it before turning on the water. Or your cabinet will fill up with water! The first step is to attach the decorative ring to the top of the countertop. Use plumber's putty to create a seal between the ring and the counter. Install the large nut and washer to the underside of the sprayer. Be sure not to over tighten plastic nuts.
Next, feed the flexible hose from the veggie sprayer through the top of the decorative ring down into the cabinet. Apply thread joint compound to the end of the threaded supply tube that feeds water from the faucet to the veggie spray. Tighten the nut on the end of the hose to complete the installation.
If you installed the faucet before installing any of the drain lines (easier to work under the sink without the drain lines in the way), be sure to have a bucket under the faucet when you turn on the water. The bucket will catch the water since the drains have not been installed. Test the faucet and veggie spray. You have completed the kitchen faucet installation. Easy if you take your time and follow the instructions.
