How Replace Kitchen Faucet: Step-by-Step DIY

Yes, you can absolutely replace your kitchen faucet yourself. The kitchen faucet replacement process is a common DIY project that most homeowners can manage with basic tools and a few hours of time.

Preparing for Your Kitchen Faucet Replacement Project

Changing out your old faucet for a new one saves money and lets you upgrade your kitchen’s look and function. Whether you are fixing a kitchen faucet leaking fix or just want a fresh style, this guide will walk you through every step of installing a new kitchen faucet.

Deciphering the Necessary Tools for Faucet Replacement

Before you start, gather all the right gear. Having the correct tools for faucet replacement makes the job much faster and easier.

Tool Category	Essential Items	Purpose
Safety Gear	Safety glasses, work gloves	Protect eyes and hands.
Plumbing Tools	Basin wrench, adjustable wrench, channel lock pliers	Reaching tight spots and loosening nuts.
Cleaning/Sealing	Sponge, rag, putty knife, plumber’s putty or silicone sealant	Cleaning the surface and sealing the new base.
General Tools	Flashlight or headlamp, bucket, old towels	Seeing under the sink and catching drips.
Optional (For tough jobs)	Penetrating oil (like WD-40), hacksaw or oscillating tool	Loosening rusted nuts or cutting old supply lines.

Choosing the Best Kitchen Faucets to Replace

When selecting your new fixture, think about your sink setup. Are you looking for standard models or specialty items like replacing pull-down kitchen faucet units?

Configuration: Does your sink have one, two, three, or four holes? Make sure the new faucet matches the hole pattern. Many modern faucets come with an optional deck plate to cover extra holes.
Style: Decide between high-arc, low-arc, or pull-down/pull-out sprayers. Pull-down models are popular for easy rinsing.
Connection Type: Check if your new faucet uses flexible supply lines or requires rigid copper connections. This impacts how you will be connecting kitchen faucet lines.
Sink Type Consideration: If you have an undermount kitchen faucet replacement, access might be slightly harder, but the steps remain similar.

Phase One: Removing the Old Fixture

The first major step in your DIY kitchen faucet change is saying goodbye to the old unit. This part can be tricky if the faucet has been in place for a long time.

Shutting Off the Water Supply

This step is vital for safety and preventing a big mess.

Locate Shutoff Valves: Look under the sink cabinet. You should see two small valves, one for hot water (usually marked red) and one for cold water (usually marked blue).
Turn Off Water: Turn both valves clockwise until they stop. Do not force them too hard.
Release Pressure: Turn on the old faucet handles above the sink. Let the remaining water drain out completely. This confirms the water is off.

Disconnecting Water Supply Lines

You need to separate the flexible supply lines that run from the shutoff valves to the base of the faucet.

Place a small bucket or spread towels under the connections.
Use an adjustable wrench or channel lock pliers to carefully loosen the nuts connecting the supply lines to the shutoff valves. Turn counter-clockwise.
Once disconnected, drain any leftover water from these lines into your bucket.

Detaching the Faucet Mounting Hardware

This is often the hardest part, especially if rust is involved. You are working in a tight, dark space. Use your flashlight!

Identify Mounting Nuts: Look up underneath the sink basin, right where the faucet body meets the sink deck. You will see large nuts or mounting clips holding the faucet down.
Using the Basin Wrench: A basin wrench is your best friend here. Its long handle and swiveling jaw let you reach these nuts easily. Hook the jaws onto the nut.
Loosen the Nuts: Turn the nuts counter-clockwise to loosen them. If they are stuck, spray penetrating oil on the threads, wait 15 minutes, and try again.
Removing Clips/Screws: Some newer faucets use plastic mounting systems or screws instead of large metal nuts. Loosen these screws until the entire assembly comes free.

Lifting Out the Old Faucet

Once all connections and mounting hardware are removed, the old faucet should lift right out from the top of the sink.

If the old faucet base is stuck to the sink surface due to old putty or sealant, gently wiggle it.
Use a plastic putty knife to carefully scrape away any remaining caulk or putty around the faucet base hole. Do not scratch your sink!
Lift the old fixture away.

Phase Two: Preparing the Sink Deck

A clean surface ensures a tight, leak-free fit for your new fixture.

Cleaning the Sink Surface

Wipe the entire area where the old faucet sat using a clean cloth and mild cleaner.
Ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding. Any moisture can interfere with the sealant you will use later.

Examining the Sink Holes

If you are replacing pull-down kitchen faucet models, check the sprayer hose path, if applicable. Also, inspect the sink holes to ensure they are the correct size for the new unit. If you are moving from a three-hole setup to a single-hole faucet, you will need to use the provided deck plate (escutcheon) now to cover the unused holes.

Phase Three: Installing the New Kitchen Faucet

Now it is time for the fun part: putting in your shiny new fixture!

Attaching Supply Lines (If Necessary)

Some high-quality faucets come with the supply lines pre-attached. If yours does not, attach the hot and cold water lines to the faucet base before setting the faucet into the sink holes.

Hand-tighten these connections first.
Use a small wrench to tighten them just a quarter-turn more. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the rubber washers inside.

Setting the Faucet in Place

If your new faucet requires a deck plate to cover extra holes, place the gasket (rubber or foam seal) onto the plate first, then set the plate onto the sink.

Apply Sealant (If required): Check your new faucet instructions. Some modern faucets use a thick rubber gasket that eliminates the need for plumber’s putty or silicone. If yours does not have a gasket, apply a thin bead of plumber’s putty or silicone sealant around the base perimeter of the faucet body (or the deck plate).
Position the Faucet: Carefully feed the lines and mounting shank(s) through the hole(s) in the sink deck. Ensure the faucet is perfectly straight and centered before it settles onto the sink.

Securing the Faucet Underneath

This is where you reverse the removal process to firmly attach the faucet to the sink.

Install Mounting Hardware: From below the sink, slide the gasket, washer, and then the mounting nut(s) up onto the threaded shank(s) extending from the faucet body.
Hand Tightening: Start threading the nuts by hand. Make sure the faucet above is still straight.
Final Tightening: Use your basin wrench or the specific tool provided with your new faucet to tighten the mounting nuts firmly. They must be snug enough so the faucet does not wiggle, but avoid excessive force, especially on composite or thin stainless steel sinks. If you are performing an undermount kitchen faucet replacement, ensure you have a firm grip and can tighten the nut securely against the mounting bracket.

Connecting Kitchen Faucet Lines

This step connects the faucet to the home’s water supply.

Connect Hot to Hot, Cold to Cold: Identify the hot and cold supply lines coming from the faucet. Connect the hot line to the hot shutoff valve and the cold line to the cold shutoff valve.
Tighten Connections: Use an adjustable wrench. Hold the valve steady with one hand if needed. Tighten the supply line nuts until they feel secure. Usually, a firm hand-tightening plus a half-turn with the wrench is sufficient. These connections use rubber or fiber washers to seal, so excessive force is not needed and can cause damage.

Installing Weights and Hoses (For Pull-Down Models)

If you are replacing pull-down kitchen faucet systems, you must install the counterweight onto the sprayer hose loop under the sink.

The weight usually snaps onto the hose about 8 to 10 inches below the connection point.
This weight ensures the sprayer head retracts smoothly back into its docking station when released.

Phase Four: Testing and Final Checks

Once everything is connected, it is time to test your work.

Checking for Leaks

This is the most critical part of any kitchen faucet replacement.

Slowly Turn Water On: Go back to the shutoff valves under the sink. Very slowly, turn the hot and cold valves counter-clockwise to restore water flow. Listen and watch carefully for any immediate drips or sprays.
Check Supply Line Connections: If you see drips where the supply lines meet the valves, turn the water off immediately and tighten those nuts a little more.
Check Faucet Base: Let the water run for a minute. Look under the sink again, focusing on the connections right at the faucet shank. If water seeps from around the base on the sink deck, you may need to tighten the mounting nuts slightly or remove the faucet to add more sealant.

Flushing the Lines

New faucets can have debris or small metal shavings inside from manufacturing.

Remove the aerator (the screen tip) from the end of the spout.
Run both hot and cold water at full blast for several minutes. This flushes out any particles that could clog the aerator.
Turn off the water. Reinstall the aerator.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your DIY kitchen faucet change.

Special Scenarios in Faucet Replacement

Sometimes the job is not straightforward. Here is how to handle specific situations.

Addressing an Undermount Kitchen Faucet Replacement

Undermount kitchen faucet replacement usually means the faucet mounts directly to the underside of the sink basin, rather than through holes drilled in a countertop overhang.

Access: Access is often tighter because you cannot easily reach over the counter. You will likely be lying flat on your back under the sink basin.
Mounting: The mounting process is the same—using a shank and retaining nuts—but you rely entirely on feel when tightening the nuts against the sink’s mounting surface. A good basin wrench is indispensable here.

Fixing a Kitchen Faucet Leaking Fix Via Replacement

If you are replacing a faucet specifically because it had a persistent kitchen faucet leaking fix issue (like a drip from the spout), you might notice that older cartridges or seals were the problem. While you could potentially repair older models, replacement is often easier and provides better long-term results, especially with modern ceramic disc cartridges found in the best kitchen faucets to replace.

Dealing with Older Plumbing

If your shutoff valves look very old, corroded, or refuse to turn, do not force them. Forcing old valves can break them completely, leading to a major emergency flood.

If valves won’t budge, your best bet is to shut off the main water supply to your entire house.
In this case, it might be wise to replace the old shutoff valves while you have the water off. This is a slightly more advanced plumbing task, but often necessary when upgrading older homes.

Deciphering Supply Line Compatibility

When connecting kitchen faucet lines, you might encounter different sizes. Standard connections are usually 3/8-inch compression fittings, but older homes might use 1/2-inch.

Always match the new supply line size to the existing shutoff valve size. If your new faucet lines don’t match the valves, you will need a small adapter. Take the old line with you to the hardware store to ensure a perfect match.

Final Thoughts on Your DIY Success

Replacing a kitchen faucet might seem daunting, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable. From gathering the right tools for faucet replacement to securely connecting kitchen faucet lines, methodical work prevents frustration. Enjoy your upgraded kitchen fixture!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to replace a kitchen faucet?

For a standard replacement, most DIYers finish the job in one to three hours. If you have very old, corroded fixtures or are performing an undermount kitchen faucet replacement with difficult access, it might take closer to four hours.

Do I need plumber’s putty or silicone caulk for a new faucet?

Check your manufacturer’s instructions. Many modern faucets come with a rubber or foam base gasket that seals the unit against the sink, meaning no putty or caulk is needed. If a gasket isn’t supplied, use a thin bead of plumber’s putty or 100% silicone sealant around the faucet base to prevent water from seeping underneath.

What is the hardest part about replacing a kitchen faucet?

The hardest part is usually disconnecting and removing the old mounting nuts and supply lines located in the tight space under the sink. Rust and corrosion often make these connections difficult to turn. This is why having a good basin wrench is key for kitchen faucet replacement.

Can I use my old supply lines with a new faucet?

It is strongly recommended to use the new supply lines that come with your new faucet. Manufacturers often design the new lines to match the internal fittings of the new faucet perfectly. Trying to reuse old lines can cause leaks if the washers are worn.

How do I know if I need a single-hole or three-hole faucet?

Count the number of holes drilled into your sink or countertop where the old faucet base sits. If you have one hole, you need a single-hole faucet. If you have three, you can choose a standard three-hole faucet or buy a single-hole faucet and use the provided deck plate (escutcheon) to cover the extra holes.