How Plumbers Replace Bathroom and Kitchen Sink Faucets

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If you are considering upgrading your bathroom and kitchen sink faucets, you have come to the right place.

The following explanation will make your task much easier and will save your time as well. However, before we start, make sure that you have following materials ready with you.

– New faucet assembly

– Basin wrench

– Adjustable wrenches

– Slip-joint pliers

– Scouring pad

Now follow these simple steps. (Assuming that you are replacing the old two-handled faucet with the more modern single-handled type)

Replacing Kitchen Sink Faucets

1. Before you start, go at the shut-off valves under the sink, and turn off the water.

2. Open the faucet so that it could drain any excess water.

3. The next step is to disconnect the hot and cold water supply lines from the shutoff valves. You can use a small adjustable-wrench to do this.

4. Reach up behind the faucet. You will find the coupling nuts that connect the supply tubes to the faucet. Unscrew the same using a basin wrench.

5. Behind the faucet, you will also find mounting nuts that hold the faucet in place. Remove these nuts using the same basin wrench.

6. Now that you have disconnected the mounting nuts, you can lift out the old faucet. Lifting it out, disconnect the sprayer hose from the assembly using an adjustable wrench.

7. Lift out the sprayer hose, and remove the faucet.

8. Once you have removed the faucet, clean the surface of the sink thoroughly with a scouring pad.

9. Remove the escutcheon cap and replace the same with the one that is included with your new faucet.

10. Now you are ready to make the new connection. Bring your new sprayer hose, and slip it down through the sprayer hole.

11. Feed the sprayer hose up through the center faucet hole, and connect the hose through the sprayer nipple using an adjustable wrench.

12. If the hot and cold supply tubes of the new faucet have a different length, attach flexible connectors to the fittings on the supply tubes. Hold the faucet fitting stationary with one wrench and tighten each connection with another wrench.

13. Insert and feed the supply lines and the connectors into the center hole, and then seat the faucet.

14. Now crawl up under the sink and in order to hold the faucet in place, install a washer and nut to the end bolts.

15. First, tighten the nuts by hand, and then with a basin wrench.

16. Connect the supply lines to the shutoff valves, and turn the water on.

17. Turn on the faucet and check for leaks.

Replacing Bathroom Sink Faucets

1. Go underneath the sink. Turn off the water. Loosen the collar nuts on the drainpipe.

2. Drain any excessive water, and then remove the drainpipe.

3. Loosen the nuts that hold the pop-up assembly in place under the sink using slip-joint pliers.

4. Unscrew the pop-up flange in order to free the assembly underneath the sink.

5. Remove the fittings that join the supply lines of the old faucet to the shutoff valves, using a wrench.

6. Repeat the steps 4-15 as explained above for replacing kitchen faucet.

7. Now, you have to install the pop-up assembly.

8. Push the pop-up rod down through the body of the faucet.

9. Attach the flat bar.

10. At the bottom of the new flange, use a little plumber’s putty to hold the tailpiece so that the whole assembly protrudes up through the drain hole in the sink.

11. Spin the ring to position the same with the tailpiece under the sink.

12. In order to secure pop-up housing in place, tighten the nut on top of the tailpiece.

13. Hook up the pop-up lever onto the flat bar in order to secure it to the pop-up housing.

14. Drop the stopper into the drain hole.

15. Replace the drainpipe.

16. Tighten the collar nuts.

17. Turn on the faucet and check for leaks.

Hence, replacing a kitchen and a bathroom faucet is almost similar except for the work related to the pop-up assembly that is included with the bathroom sink.

About Author: Owen Walcher writes for the Best Plumber Resource which provides plumbing tips to consumer and helps people find quality plumbers in Georgia.

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com

Repairing a Leaky Toilet Without a Plumber

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A leaky toilet can lead to other major issues such as it can damage the flooring and sub flooring. More severe problems can also damage ceilings and framings below.

Leaks can be caused at flush valve or fill valve. However, sometimes, it may also be caused due to hairline tank cracks at those locations. These are very severe problems, and in these cases, you may need to replace the tank or possibly even the entire toilet. We have tried to explore a few possible reasons for the leaks, and the procedure to fix it. In order to find out the reasons for the leaks, first tighten all the connections. Dry everything with a towel and then carefully examine the source of the leaks.

Once you have determined the source, you can proceed and fix it using the following steps.

Loose Nuts under Tanks

Tools Required: Flathead screwdriver, Adjustable wrench

Procedure

1. Using the flathead screwdriver, hold the bolt steady.

2. At the same time, tighten the nuts on the underside of the tank by using the adjustable wrench.

3. Check if the water still leaks. If no, that is great. If yes, follow the steps below.

4. Holding the bolt steady (as in step one) using the adjustable wrench, remove the nuts, and change the washer with a proper-size new washer for the bolt.

If Water is Leaking at the Fill Valve

Tools Required: Wrench

Procedure

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.

2. Drain the tank by flushing it

3. Using a wrench, disconnect the supply-tube coupling nut.

4. Remove the mounting nut of the fill valve.

5. Lift out the fill valve

6. Clean its gasket and washer

7. Carefully examine if it is damaged or dried out. If so, you have no other option but to replace it.

8. Hold the valve vertical, and carefully position it in the center of the hole.

9. Tighten the mounting nut. Make sure not to over-tighten it, as it can crack the porcelain.

10. Reconnect the supply tube

11. Turn on the water supply to the toilet

12. If the problem persists, tighten the mounting nut a little more.

If Water is Leaking at the Flush Valve

Tools: Large standard screwdriver, Socket Wrench, Spud Wrench, Soapy sponge

Procedure

1. Follow the steps 1-3 as discussed above

2. Remove the mounting bolts of the tanks. For this, you can use a large standard screwdriver on the bolt, and a socket wrench on the nut.

3. Put the tank upside down.

4. Pull or twist off the rubber spud washer.

5. Unscrew the large locking nut from the flush valve using a spud wrench.

6. Put the tank aside. However, make sure that you place it on a bath mat or similar padding. This way, you can protect both the flooring and the tank.

7. Remove the flush valve.

8. Take out the beveled cone washer from the flush valve.

9. If they are in poor condition, replace them. If no, just use a soapy sponge and clean them.

10. Reinstall the tank, as discussed above. However, make sure that when you tighten the bolt, you have somebody to hold it level and plumb.

11. Remember, the beveled side of the cone washer must face the inside of the tank, while the beveled side of the spud washer must face the bowl.

Hence, follow the above simple steps and you can do it yourself. However, make sure that you have the necessary plumbing tools available to you.

About Author: Owen Walcher writes for the a Find A Plumber Site which provides plumbing tips to consumer and helps people find quality plumbing contractors in Texas.

Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com