A dripping kitchen faucet wastes roughly 3,000 gallons of water a year — and the fix isn’t calling a plumber. I’m going to be real with you: swapping a kitchen faucet is one of those jobs that sounds intimidating until you actually do it. Most homeowners finish in under two hours, and the only time you’ll get wet is if you skip the shut-off valves.
Picking the Right Replacement Faucet
Before you grab whatever’s on sale, measure three things: the number of mounting holes in your sink or countertop (usually one, three, or four), the distance between them (standard is 8 inches center-to-center for widespread models), and the clearance between the faucet deck and any window or backsplash behind it. Single-hole faucets are the simplest to install since they require only one connection point. If you have a three-hole sink but want a single-hole faucet, most come with a deck plate that covers the extra holes.
Stick with a faucet that uses standard 3/8-inch compression fittings on the supply lines — the vast majority do, but check the box. Ceramic disc valves last longer than rubber washers and are now the norm in anything above the $80 range.
Tools You Already Have (Plus One You Might Need)
Here’s the short list:
- Adjustable wrench (10-inch is ideal)
- Basin wrench — this is the one you might need to buy, and it’s under $15 at any hardware store. It reaches the mounting nuts tucked up behind the sink where a regular wrench can’t.
- Bucket and old towel for catching residual water
- Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) for thread connections
- Flashlight or headlamp so you can actually see under the cabinet
If your current supply lines are older braided steel or rigid copper, pick up two new stainless steel braided supply lines (about $8 each). They’re flexible, easier to connect, and less likely to corrode.
Removing the Old Faucet
Turn off both shut-off valves under the sink — righty-tighty. Then open the faucet to release any remaining pressure and let the lines drain into your bucket. Disconnect the supply lines from the shut-off valves with your adjustable wrench, then use the basin wrench to loosen the mounting nuts holding the faucet to the sink from underneath. This is the step that tests your patience: you’re working upside-down in a cabinet, and the nuts may be corroded. A shot of penetrating oil (WD-40 works) and 10 minutes of patience usually breaks them free.
Once the nuts are off, lift the old faucet straight up and scrape any old putty or gasket residue from the sink deck with a plastic putty knife. A clean surface means a better seal for the new unit.
Installing the New Faucet
Drop the new faucet’s supply lines and mounting hardware down through the sink holes from above. Underneath, hand-tighten the mounting nuts first — finger-tight gets the faucet positioned correctly before you snug everything with the basin wrench. Over-tightening can crack a porcelain sink, so stop when it’s firm and the faucet doesn’t wiggle on top.
Wrap three clockwise turns of plumber’s tape around the threaded ends of the shut-off valves, then connect the supply lines. Hand-tighten first, then a quarter-turn with the adjustable wrench. That’s it — no need to crank them down.
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Testing and Wrapping Up
Turn the shut-off valves back on slowly — one at a time — and check every connection point for drips. Run both hot and cold for a full minute. If you spot a drip at a supply line connection, turn off the water and tighten that fitting another quarter-turn. Most leaks at this stage come from under-tightened supply connections, not from the faucet itself.
Once everything runs dry where it should, clean up the area under the sink and give yourself credit — you just handled a job that a plumber would charge $150 to $300 for. If you’re on a roll with weekend fixes, you might also enjoy tackling a bathtub caulking refresh while you’ve got the tools out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace a kitchen faucet?
Most homeowners finish in 1 to 2 hours, including cleanup. The removal step takes the longest, especially if the old mounting nuts are corroded. Budget an extra 30 minutes if you need to replace the supply lines too.
Do I need to turn off the main water supply?
Usually not. The shut-off valves directly under the sink control water to the faucet independently. Only shut off the main if the under-sink valves are stuck, broken, or missing entirely.
Can I install a single-hole faucet on a three-hole sink?
Yes. Most single-hole faucets include a deck plate (also called an escutcheon) that covers the unused holes. Just make sure the plate is wide enough — measure your hole spacing before buying.
Photo by Henry Kobutra
on Unsplash