Costly Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid Before Replacing a Kitchen Faucet

Posted on September 15, 2021

As the kitchen is one of the rooms with the highest traffic, it is very susceptible to everyday wear and tear. After frequent use, your kitchen might require a full remodeling.

Alternatively, it might require replacing a few fittings and accessories. One of the most common kitchen fittings that need replacing is the faucet or the tap.

Trying to go to sleep after a long day only to be disturbed by the plopping sounds of the water dripping from the faucet is very annoying. No matter how tightly you fasten the knob, the water still keeps on dripping. This indicates a leaky faucet.

Sometimes, the opposite scenario occurs where a single drop of water doesn’t come out of the tap even with a running water supply. Whatever the case is, you need to get a new kitchen tap. This article will discuss the costly mistakes to avoid when replacing a faucet in the kitchen.

Do Your Research

Before purchasing a new tap for the kitchen, do your research. Assess the costs, installation process, and durability of the faucet. Also, analyze or look for the details of the water pressure it can support.

You can do the research online by reading various informative articles from sites like plumberspot. Alternatively, you can also watch video tutorials and reviews of numerous taps on YouTube.

Be Realistic

Some video tutorials make it seem effortless as they have the right equipment and resources. Moreover, most of the personalities have years of experience. They also edit out the breaks they took and fast forward through the whole procedure.

In reality, it is quite difficult to remove an old faucet. Plus, besides the mental preparation, you also need the right tools and technique to detach it. It is very likely that the old tap is layered with the build-up of minerals from the water supply and years of usage. Those mineral deposits practically cemented the faucet onto the sink.

It is more challenging when your kitchen is small and not well lit. You don’t get to have the ideal workbench with proper space. You also won’t be able to comfortably operate on the fixture as you do not get to stand all the time.

The real picture most likely to happen is that you will be lying on your back and fixing the faucet and the pipes beneath the dark sink. You can successfully fix the kitchen tap, without a doubt; we are simply giving you the necessary mental preparation and painting the real scenario so that you do not break your back aimlessly.

What to Consider

Costly mistakes do not refer to only financial costs. It also covers your time and energy. The main issue people face when fixing things on their own is mainly getting frustrated with unforeseen obstacles.

To avoid such exasperation or at least minimize the stress, consider a few factors.

Main Water Valve

Before getting started, find and locate the main shut-off valve, which is usually situated beneath the sink. You also need to know how to turn it off and back on during emergencies. It is wise to also teach every household member how to operate this emergency shut-off stopper.

Misfortunes occur when the tap’s knobs are malfunctioning or break off. When such cases occur, quickly turn off the main water shut-off valve.

Routine Inspection

The shut-off valves are also known as stop valves. It is recommended to regularly check them, at least on a monthly basis. They are typically either straight or angled ball-shaped metal handles that stick out inside the cabinet.

These valves are incredibly important, and they are very useful in crises. By using these stoppers, you can turn off the water supply without shutting off the whole building’s main water.

Upon routine inspection, you can be aware of the state of these emergency valves. If these valves are old and rusty, replace them instantly. The last thing you need is your home being flooded by water and you cannot stop it due to worn-out shut-off valves.

Furthermore, the failure or malfunctioning of these stoppers will require you to turn off the entire building’s water supply. This will cause annoyance amongst the residents, and you will have to take all the blame, being the focus of public scrutiny.

Regular inspections are also necessary to come across any leaks in the household and fix them right in time. This prevents any sort of further damage and also any expensive expenditures.

Before restoring the kitchen faucet, replace the old, tarnished stop-valves to minimize any risks. Always ensure that these knobs are functioning properly before dismantling your kitchen tap.

Choosing the New Faucet

It is crucial to get the perfect fit and type of fixtures like the kitchen tap. Take the measurements of the hole location in the sink. Also, take photos of the current kitchen tap and use these as a visual guide when purchasing the ideal faucet.

It is better and easier to opt for the faucet that fits perfectly the first time. Go for the tap that has openings that align with the existing openings of the sink or countertop.

It is mandatory for the new fixture to have similar dimensions that properly cater to your needs and fit into the sink well. If you want to have a pull-out spray that comes out of the tap’s spout, opt for the one with a gooseneck that faces downwards.

Avoid buying faucets that point straight out as they are infamous for leaking. These leaks usually occur at the head and flow back into the cabinet without your knowledge. It is usually too late as catastrophic mold will arise by the time you find the leak finally.

Always try your best to get the best quality faucet you can afford. Better quality faucets have more durability and are less susceptible to leaking. The majority of the high-quality kitchen fittings have a lifelong warranty.

List Everything You Need

Before starting to work on your new faucet, make sure you have everything you need. Make a list of all the tools and resources you need, then add the ones you do not have to the shopping list. For your convenience, we made a shortlist of the basic essentials you need for this DIY project.

Protective eyewear
Sink wrench
Basic wrench
Adjustable wrench
A set of Allen wrenches
Channel locks
Screwdrivers
Phillips head screwdriver with long handles
Needle nose pliers
Small cut-off saw
Plumbers putty
Bowls
Flashlight
Towels
Masking tape
WD-40
Pipe dope

An Overview

Replacing your kitchen faucet on your own is an ambitious task but can be fun. To make the process easier, read and research about this kind of project online. Be realistic and have the necessary mental preparation.

By fixing a fussy faucet, you can expand your important basic skills. You can definitely own the plumbing game once you get your hands dirty and gain experience through practice.