With the rising cost of energy, we are always looking for ways to save both energy and money. When purchasing our appliances, central units, and water heaters we look at the energy labels, we add more insulation to our homes during remodels or a new build because every little bit counts. But did you know there are little things that you can do to help reduce your energy bill and save money throughout the year?
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For a big impact with a small investment for your bathroom or kitchen, consider changing the faucet! It’s a super easy, relatively low-cost improvement, that in some cases, can totally change the look and feel of your space!
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Is it time to replace a faucet in your kitchen or bathroom? While some people may think that it is a challenge replacing a leaky or outdated faucet isn’t always as difficult as you may think. You can easily tackle the project with a basin wrench and a few other common tools. Usually, it will only take about an hour. The same steps will apply if you are installing a new faucet onto a new sink.
Removing the old faucet:
Step 1: Turn off the water supply. The valves are typically under the sink. If not, turn the water off at the main valve. Then turn on the faucet to relieve any water pressure left in the lines.
Step 2: Disconnect the supply lines from the faucet. Use a basin wrench if you can’t reach the connections with your hands.
Step 3: Disconnect the lift rod, and then remove the nuts from under the faucet.
Remove the drain:
Step 4: Unscrew the slip nut on the P-trap. Put a bucket underneath to catch water in the trap.
Step 5: Disconnect the drain flange from the tailpiece. It should unscrew.
Step 6: Clean the old drain and faucet holes. Mineral spirits can help to remove old silicone sealant.
Install the New Faucet:
Step 7: Follow the manufacturer’s directions for specific installation instructions. Most installations begin with installing the gasket on the bottom of the faucet. Some require sealant of plumber’s putty. Then put the faucet through the mounting holes in the sink and tighten the mounting nuts.
Step 8: Not all faucets come preassembled, so you may have to attach the handles. It is relatively easy. Slip the guide ring onto the bottom of the handle, position it on the faucet base, and secure with the setscrew. A setscrew is a tiny screw on the underside of the handle. Your faucet probably came with a hex wrench to tighten it.
Step 9: Next move onto the drain. Screw the nut all the way down on the drain body and push the gasket over it. Some gaskets are threaded and simply screw into place.
Step 10: Apply just a little bit of silicone under the flange. Position the drain body on the bottom of the sink- making sure the pivot hole is facing the back- and screw the flange on from the top side.
Step 11: Underneath, tighten the nut and gasket. On the top, use mineral spirits to clean up excess silicone.
Step 12: Install the drain rod next. Unscrew the pivot nut on the drain body, insert the horizontal rod through the hole in the stopper, and replace the nut. Push the horizontal rod down and secure the lift rod to the strap with the screw. Test the lift rod.
Step 13: Reconnect the supply lines to the faucet. If your sink is already in place, use a basin wrench to reach the faucet shanks.
Step 14: Flush the faucet by removing the aerator. This gets rid of debris or sediment in the faucet. Some faucets include a handy little tool to unscrew the aerator. When you’re done, keep it inside your vanity or with the rest of your tools. Turn on the hot and cold water for about a minute. Check all of the connections for leaks and retighten if necessary. Screw the aerator back on and you are done.
If you are in the market for a new kitchen or bathroom faucet, contact us at Plumbtile and we can help you pick from many options of quality kitchen and bathroom faucets for your home.
As the hub of the home, the kitchen is the room with all the action. It’s not just the place to prepare and cook food — it’s also used for entertaining guests, storing gadgets, and eating family meals. Your modern design needs to accommodate all these activities, which is why kitchen remodels are more popular than ever. If you don’t want to do a total overhaul of your kitchen, these steps can help you update your kitchen within your means. Continue reading →
The winter is behind us, and summer is coming! After a long and cold winter, everyone is ready to entertain guests with a new outdoor kitchen and dining area! If you don’t have one, don’t worry. Cooking up a great outdoor kitchen is easier than you think. Continue reading →
The kitchen is an essential part of the home and often becomes the gathering spot. You want to create a beautiful but functional space for your family to gather. There are some clear steps to follow to make sure your kitchen is functional for the entire family. Continue reading →
Are you considering giving your kitchen a cabinet refacing? This type of renovation can be done within 3 or 4 days. The design choices are endless, and it is a very affordable option. Cabinet refacing will allow you to change the look and feel of your kitchen without even having to change the cabinets themselves.
In most households, the kitchen is one of the most prominent rooms. It’s not just where food preparation happens. Often it’s where the eating occurs too, and where people tend to congregate.
If you’re having guests over, the kitchen is usually a focal point of the socializing. So it makes sense that people want to make sure everything in that room is perfect. This is especially true for the faucet, which could be said to be the centerpiece of the kitchen.
Before you purchase a new faucet, then, read the guide below for help in picking one you’ll be happy to use and proud to show off.
The knobs and pulls you see on your cabinets are discrete, out of the way, but say a certain something about your kitchen or bathroom. They are a necessary element of your room that is not only functional, but decorative. And due to their small size and ease of manufacture, the endless varieties of each can be overwhelming. So to help make one aspect to using decorative hardware easier, we’re going to show you how to install them properly.
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When it comes to adding value to your home, put your money where your mouths are. The 2 rooms that add or detract value most from a home are the kitchen and the bathroom. Right now stainless steel appliances are the trend but there is no sense investing in them only to put them next to shabby cabinets in an outdated kitchen. When renovating a kitchen, start with the cabinets first. An older refrigerator or stove will look better surrounded by new cabinets. Continue reading →
