How to Install a Bathroom Fixture

If a faucet leaks, usually the simple replacement of a rubber washer can fix the problem, but maybe your bathroom fixtures are past the point of salvaging due to corrosion or lime and calcium deposits. Perhaps you simply want to modernize your bathroom’s look. Changing a fixture is not difficult if you take these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrenches
• Teflon tape
• Fixtures

Bathroom Faucet

1. Measure the size of your fixture from the center of the holes made in your sink. A common example would be a two handled faucet with center nozzle where the faucet holes are four inches apart. Choose a replacement based on size, functionality and look.

2. Turn off the water below the sink. Turn on the faucet to drain any existing water.

3. Undo the supply lines from the existing faucet from below with a wrench. Remove the supply lines, either braided stainless steel or copper, then undo the faucet from the sink itself. As you look at it remember the old saw, “righty, tighty, lefty loosey.” Lift off the fixture. Clean out the crud, scrubbing hard for a tight fit. If space below your sink is tight you might need a tool called a basin wrench that is more maneuverable.

4. Disconnect the vertical pop up strap for the drain from the faucet’s lift rod

5. Take a roll of Teflon tape and wrap it clockwise around the threads. With your fingers, press it into the grooves.

6. Install the new faucet from above, being sure to center the fixture.

7. From below, coat the faucet with plumber's putty to create a tight seal.

8. Tighten the nuts to position the faucet.

9. Reattach the supply lines. Don’t over tighten.

10. Reconnect the vertical pop up strap for the drain to the lift rod above. They all should work together to raise and lower the plug to your drain. If the seal for the drain is not tight or the drain doesn’t open far enough, choose a different hole in the pop up strap until it works well.

11. Turn the supply lines back on and see if your faucet works as intended.

Shower Head

12. Make sure that your faucets are both turned off.

13. Use a wrench to turn the base of your old shower head where it meets the wall pipe counter clockwise then remove it.

14. Clean off any existing Teflon tape. Reapply a new layer wrapping clockwise around the threads. With your fingers, press it into the grooves. Do not extend the thread past the point that will be covered by the new shower head.

15. Check your shower head. If there is no washer, hand tighten it. Test it. If it leaks, gently tighten it further.

16. Use a wrench to tighten the washer, ideally a pipe wrench. To avoid marring the shower head finish, you can wrap duct tape around the base while tightening. Test it. If it leaks tighten it further.