How Do You Put in Kitchen Sink Water Faucets?

Put in your own kitchen sink water faucet.

Kitchen sink faucets allow you to have water for washing and cooking in a convenient place in your kitchen. These fixtures are anchored to the top of the kitchen sink by plastic retaining screws from below. Water is supplied to the faucet by a series of hoses connected to water supply valves below. You can put in kitchen sink water faucets yourself without having to call a plumber.

Things You'll Need

• Rag/towel
• Kitchen cleaner
• Putty knife
• Kitchen sink kit
• Plumber's putty
• Plumber's tape
• Water supply hoses (2)
• Wrench
• Pliers
• Sharp knife/scissors

Instructions

1. Clean off the area around where you will be installing the kitchen sink water faucet. Use a kitchen cleaner and rag to wipe up any mold, mildew or food particles that may be clinging to the counter surface around the sink. Take a putty knife and use it to scrape up any caulk or putty that might be clinging to the countertop.

2. Turn the water faucet upside down. Roll out a thick bead of plumber's putty, about half an inch in diameter. Press this into place on the underside of the faucet.

3. Turn the faucet right side up and hold it up over the sink so that the inlets on the underside of the faucet are aligned with the holes in the counter or sink. Slowly lower the faucet onto the surface, slipping the inlets through the holes in the process.

4. Move underneath the kitchen sink. Screw the plastic retaining rings onto the underside of the faucet threads. Tighten with a pair of pliers.

5. Wrap the threads on the sink inlets with plumber's tape. Press one end of the tape tight against the inlets and pull the tape around with your other hand. Make at least two complete turns of the threads. Trim off the excess with a utility knife.

6. Apply the plumber's tape to the water supply inlets in the same manner. The supply inlets are typically mounted on the wall or the floor underneath the sink.

7. Connect the hot water supply hose to the underside of the hot water sink inlet. Connect the other end to the hot water supply valve (usually indicated by the "H" on the handle or a red color). Repeat this process for the cold water supply hose.

8. Turn on the water supply valves by rotating them to the left. Open up the faucet tap and allow the water to run. Watch the supply hoses below for leaks as the faucet runs. Tighten with a pair of pliers, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• When cleaning the sink with a putty knife, take care not to scratch the surface, especially on stainless steel sinks. Use duct tape to cover any parts of the sink you don't want scratched.

References

• This Old House: Installing a Kitchen Sink
• Ask The Builder: Installing a Kitchen Faucet
• Lowe's: Installing a Kitchen Faucet