Do you need to change a tap? If it leaks, you can only change one gasket. If you want to change the whole piece, however, that's no problem. It's simple, with the right tools.
Steps
Step 1. Look at the sink
Check how many openings there are and how far apart they are. You may need to look below to make sure. In particular, for bathroom sinks the two handles can form a single piece with the sprayer or be divided. You need to know this to choose the right piece.
Step 2. Choose the right part
You will likely be using this faucet for a long time, so it is best to invest in a good quality item.
You can spend between 20 and 500 euros for a tap. Read the reviews and decide how much you want to spend on quality and how much on the design and brand of the object
Step 3. Read the instructions on the box
They can be detailed and useful or minimal and frustrating. If in doubt, refer to the manufacturer's instructions rather than information found elsewhere.
Step 4. Consider purchasing special sink tongs for less than 20 euros
They are a tool designed to get behind the sink and unscrew the two nuts on the sides of the faucet that hold it anchored to the sink. If you can't loosen the nuts by hand or with the tools you have, these pliers will make your job easier.
Step 5. Remove everything from under the sink and secure it
Step 6. Light the area under the sink well to see what you are doing
Use a portable lamp or, if you have one, a hook lamp.
Step 7. Turn off the water
Under the sink you will see two wall faucets that go to the faucet. There is one for hot water and one for cold water. Close them both by turning clockwise, like any other tap.
Step 8. Loosen the nut on top of the wall faucet and slide off the hose
Some water that was present in the hose will come out, so you will need some rags to dry.
The pipes should also be changed when changing the sink if they are old, especially the flexible ones. If you have rigid pipes, however, it is usually not necessary to change them, unless they are too short for the new tap. If you don't change them, you may just need to take them off the tap upstairs. A reinforced braided stainless steel hose eliminates the risk of leakage and breakage
Step 9. Unscrew the large nuts holding the faucet in place
This is the time to use the sink tongs if you have one. There can be one, two or even three dice. Your sink can be different, it can be hard plastic, brass or metallic. This is the hardest part of the job, because the threads are often long and can be rusted, making the nuts difficult to unscrew. Courage! From here on it's all downhill.
Step 10. Lift the old faucet, hoses and everything else out of the sink
Step 11. Now examine the pipes carefully
If they are damaged, take one as a sample to the store where you bought the pliers and buy two new, gray plastic ones. They sell them with their nuts and their fittings.
Step 12. Before installing the new faucet, thoroughly clean the sink where the old faucet was mounted
You may need to scrape thoroughly to get rid of limescale, although depending on the new faucet, the area may be covered. Try vinegar or acidic cleanser to loosen the encrustations.
Step 13. Check the base of the new faucet for a soft plastic gasket
You need it to seal the base to prevent water from coming out from underneath. If not, get some sealing paste. It is gray and has the texture of chewing gum. Wrap it around the base a bit before mounting the new faucet. When you tighten the two large nuts, some of the paste will be squeezed out, but it is easily cleaned with alcohol.
Step 14. Fit the new hoses to the faucet before installing it on the sink
Step 15. Assemble the new faucet
Sometimes there is a separate disk that goes from underneath. If you want to add it, or if there are other parts to add, do it now.
Step 16. Slide the new faucet into the hole (s) in the sink
Step 17. Tighten the nuts under the sink, but not completely
Step 18. Before tightening them completely check the assembly, see if it is straight or if it needs to be moved, then finish tightening the nuts
Step 19. Reinsert the hoses into the wall faucets under the sink and tighten the nuts
Step 20. Open the taps and see if they leak
Wait ten minutes and double check. If everything is fine, you are done. Otherwise, tighten the fittings a little more and check again.
Advice
- You can work more comfortably by lying down on rags or cardboard.
- Some kitchen faucets have a separate sprayer on one side. If you want to remove it, take the old faucet out of the sink and remove the nuts and other pieces of the sprayer. Clean the encrustations around the hole and put a chrome button to close. Most hardware stores have these caps in different sizes. Put some sealing paste under the cap to prevent leakage.
- Alternatively, you can install another device, such as a jet of instant hot water or a soap dispenser built into the sink.
Warnings
- Depending on the age of the building and the pH of the water, the pipes in the wall can be corroded, thin and therefore weak and easy to damage. Be ready to turn off the tap on the counter.
- Wear protective eyewear. While something is unlikely to jump off, they will protect you from falling objects or debris.
- Sometimes old wall taps are so corroded or encrusted that they can't close anymore. If this happens to you, you will have to turn off the water from the meter and change them. If you do, it pays to spend a couple of euros more and buy some ball valves. Not only are they easier to use, requiring only a quarter of a turn to open or close, but they are harder to fail when you need them. Also, if there is little space under the sink, there are ball valves with outlets at different angles.
