by Kaye Fretz

Faucet installation is not as hard as you think. In fact, many home improvement sites and resources simply recommend that you do it yourself. Do remember though that every DIY project requires some basic knowledge. You also need to have the ability to follow instruction to the letter. Here are some things you should know about installing faucets.

Bottom or Top

These days, faucet choices are more confusing than installation itself. There are just so many faucet designs and several types that you could easily get confused. Like many consumers, you could just be tempted to make a decision based on design alone. A design of your choice however may not specifically fit your needs or your sink. Check if the holes in your faucet correspond to your sink. Determine too if you prefer a top or a bottom mounted faucet.

Bottom Mounted Faucet

With this type, you have to hold the faucet securely from the bottom. Once the faucet is in its right position, all you have to do would be to install the washers and manually thread the mounting nuts. You can then secure the escutcheons with some putty. The last step is to install the handles.

Top Mounted Faucet

Many home owners prefer top mounted faucet installation. To make it even more less of a chore, you can get a top mounted faucet with a gasket of its own. A gasket will be all the security you will need to ensure that a faucet is tightly in place. An alternative to a gasket would be to use plumber’s putty. After smearing the putty, you just have to put the faucet in after which you can go on with washer and mounting nut installation.

Connecting Water Lines

Your faucet is now in place. All that is left to do is to connect the faucet to the water supply lines. Connect the appropriate hot and cold lines to the right shut off valves. You can use pipe tape to make sure that you have a tight connection. Check all the connections again before you give a go signal to turn on the water supply.

In case you hadn’t noticed yet, all you really need is to follow instructions. You also need to understand them correctly. You would be lucky if you were able to buy a faucet with free installation instructions. There are however, also several instruction sites online that could help you.

Faucet Tips

Installing a faucet can easily be done. What you need to make sure of is that you make the right faucet choice in the first place. The first thing you have to settle is the location of your faucet. Faucets for bathrooms and kitchens are not the same.

Another faucet related consideration would be the space. A small kitchen sink and a small bathroom would look better with small faucets. You could also opt for wall mounted faucets to maximize the use of your small space.

Handles are another factor to consider. Two handle faucets are popular because they make mixing water easier and more accurate. Single handle faucets however are quick and easy to use.

Anyone can handle faucet installation. You just have to make sure that you have taken care of all your faucet pre installation concerns.

About the Author:

Know how to change or fix a leaky faucet by yourself. Find your faucet installation instruction online.