DIY Kitchen Faucet Install

A DIY Guide to Install Your Kitchen Faucet

 
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Do-it-yourself projects can be a daunting task for homeowners but replacing a kitchen faucet by yourself is easier than you may think. Modern plumbing and faucet designs make it easier than ever for you to cut the plumber out of plumbing.

Moen Align Kitchen Faucet

Can I install my own kitchen faucet?

Yes, absolutely. If you have the right tools, installation can be a breeze, but it’s important to make sure you have everything you need before you start. To keep it simple, let’s take a look at what you need to install a Moen Align Pulldown Faucet.

  • A basin wrench
  • An adjustable wrench

Can you change your kitchen faucet without a plumber?

If you have an adjustable wrench and a basin wrench, you have everything you need to install your Moen Align Pulldown Faucet without a plumber. A bucket and rags will also be helpful for water leakage. Everything else, including the supply lines and installation instructions, will come inside the package.

If you don’t have these tools and prefer not to buy them, then it may be time to call a plumber.

How long should it take a plumber to replace a kitchen faucet?

Typically, the process of swapping out a kitchen faucet will take a plumber 1-2 hours. If you’re doing it yourself, it shouldn’t take much longer thanks to the simplicity of Moen faucets, but it depends on your sink setup. In some cases, you may need to disconnect your garbage disposal if it’s in the way, which could lead to longer installation.

Hand Shutting Off Water Supply Lines

Removing Your Old Faucet

If you’ve decided to forge ahead on your project, the first thing you need to do is turn off the water. One way to do this is to shut off the water to your home. The valve is typically located in the basement (if you have one) and should be within 5 feet from where the water main enters your home. The faucet you’re replacing may already have a water shutoff valve below the kitchen sink, in which case you can simply turn that off.

Before disconnecting the old supply lines, turn your faucet on to drain the water and place the bucket and rags below the copper pipes before removing the fittings. This will help you avoid a mess, since water is likely to dribble from the supply lines.

Once your bucket and rags are in place, it’s time to use your basin wrench to disconnect the supply lines. If you have a sprayer or soap dispenser you’d like to replace, be sure to remove that along with the faucet.

Lastly, a plastic or metal mounting nut will be holding your current faucet to the sink. Use your basin wrench to remove it, and then you can detach your faucet. If you’re struggling to remove the mounting nut, heating it with a hairdryer can soften the plastic.

If you find yourself struggling, check out this DIY video Do-It-Yourself - How to replace a kitchen faucet by DoitBest.

Moen deck plate

Installing Your New Faucet

Once you’ve removed your old faucet, the hard part is done! Now it’s time to install your new faucet, and the installation guide in the packaging will illustrate step-by-step instructions.

First, clean away any mold or corrosion around the holes. If your sink is set up for a 3-hole faucet, place the deck plate gasket onto the deck plate and then install your faucet through the center hole. You won’t need a deck plate if your sink has a single hole configuration. If your original faucet had a fourth hole for an accessory that you removed, consider replacing it with a matching Moen beverage faucet or soap dispenser.

Next, slide the mounting washer onto the faucet bolt hanging below the sink, in the same way that you removed the mounting nut from your original faucet. The Moen Align Pulldown Faucet comes with a special tool to help, but you can also use a basin wrench. If you’re installing a double handle or widespread faucet, this process will be a bit different.

Once the faucet is attached to your sink, install the hose protector and attach the flexible water supply lines to the shutoff valves. Tighten them until they are secure. Moen faucets come with compression fittings on their braided supply lines, so there’s no need to struggle with Teflon tape.

Since this is a pulldown faucet, the next step is to insert the small end of the hose into the spout and feed it through the faucet body. Then, insert the hose into the supply line Quick Connect Adaptor — you’ll hear a click when it’s attached. Next, you’ll want to attach the hose weight so your pulldown faucet will retract on its own with the Reflex™ system. Find the locator mark on the hose and clip the weight on between the mark and the bottom of the hose curve. Before you attach the spray head, turn the water back on to clear the lines and test the hot and cold-water supply.

Finally, you need to attach your spray wand. Remove the protective spray cap from the spray wand, and then attach it to the pulldown hose. Screw it on gently with your fingers, and then tighten it with your adjustable wrench. It’s important not to overtighten it and to test that everything is working properly.

Now it’s time to enjoy your new faucet and congratulate yourself on a job well-done!

Start Your Next Project

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