How to Remove and Replace a Bathroom Faucet Fitting

Replacing bathroom fixtures isn't difficult.

Whether you want to replace an old faucet or upgrade your bathroom, you can avoid those high plumbing bills by removing and replacing the bathroom faucet yourself. The process isn't complicated and you can complete it in a few hours or less.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Container
• Screwdriver
• Small tub of plumber's putty
• 2 washers and 2 ferrules (optional)
• Light source

Instructions

1. Turn off the shutoff valves under the sink -- one should be for hot and the other for cold water. Verify there is no water flow by turning on the faucet.

2. Using an adjustable wrench, disconnect the old faucet fitting from the plumbing by loosening the nuts that hold the supply tubes to the faucet. Then loosen the faucet mounting nuts. Unscrew the clevis screw -- the U-shaped or forked metal connector -- so the lift rod can be removed. Remove the faucet -- the entire structure should lift out from the top of the sink.

3. Remove the trap by unscrewing the tailpiece slip nut and the slip nut that connects the trap to the drainpipe. Place a bucket or container under the trap to catch residual water.

4. Remove the drain tailpiece from the sink by unscrewing the retaining nut on the pivot ball and remove the pivot rod and clevis strap. Remove the stopper. Loosen the nut that holds the rubber gasket against the sink. Disconnect the drain by unscrewing the tailpiece from the drain flange. Remove the metal flange from the top side of the sink.

   You will be left with a hole in the sink for the drain and holes in the surface where the new faucet will sit. Clean all surfaces.

5. Fit the new faucet by following the installation directions. Start by threading the mounting nuts off the bottom of the faucet. Prepare the bottom of the faucet fitting with plumber's putty, align the faucet and slide the supply tubes down through the holes in the sink. The predrilled holes in the sink structure must be covered by the new fitting; ensure you have a seal all the way round and the new faucet sits evenly on top of the sink. Thread the mounting nuts back on from underneath the sink. Reconnect the supply tubes to the fixture. You may need new ferrules and washers, but you can use the old ones if they are undamaged, in good shape and seal well. Use a wrench to ensure the fittings are watertight so there is no leakage.

6. Assemble the new drain. Put plumber's putty under the lip of the metal flange that fits through the drain hole. Slide the tailpiece up from beneath the sink and thread tightly over the flange. Tighten the nut that holds the rubber gasket against the underside of the sink. Insert the stopper into the drain hole.

7. Insert the pivot rod into the loop at the bottom of the stopper by inserting the pivot ball into the tailpiece. Secure with the retaining nut so the pivot rod is secured but still has movement up and down. Make sure the pivot ball faces toward the back of the sink.

8. Thread the trap onto the tailpiece and drainpipe; tighten the slip nuts. Clean all surfaces. Reopen the shutoff valves. Do one at a time in case of leakage. Make sure there is no leakage under the sink. Check water comes out the faucet. Stop the faucet and ensure there are no drips.

9. Reassemble the stopper linkage: From the top of the sink, insert the lift rod into the faucet-fitting opening. Attach the lift rod to the clevis strap under the sink by using the clevis screw. Position the pivot rod in the clevis strap and make sure the pivot rod passes through the spring clip. If correctly aligned, the stopper should close and seal the sink when the lift rod is pulled up, and should open when the lift rod is depressed. If the stopper does not seal the sink, make adjustments via the clevis screw and spring clip.

10. Close the stopper. Fill the sink with water. Look below the sink to verify there is no leakage from the drain. Depress the lift rod to release the water. Make sure nothing leaks out the trap.

Tips & Warnings

• Recycle the old faucet and drain parts if possible.

• Remember, it's left to loosen; right to tighten.

• When fitting the new faucet, be sparing with the plumber's putty. Put enough on to seal the fitting, but not too much so that it is uneven.

• Before selecting your new faucet, familiarize yourself with the plumbing configuration and number of mounting holes to ensure the new fixture will fit and can be connected to the existing plumbing.

• Consider using a container to catch water drips so the surface under the sink doesn't get wet or dirty. There is the possibility of nasty water in the trap depending on if the drain is slow or not.

References

• This Old House: How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet