Drip at supply connection

Loose or damaged washer Turn off valve; disconnect; replace washer or use thread tape per fitting; hand-tight + ¼ turn.

Faucet wobbles or leaks at base

Mounting nuts loose or uneven Tighten mounting nuts evenly from below; ensure putty/gasket is continuous under base.

Low flow or sputtering

Aerator or debris Remove aerator; rinse screen; reinstall. Flush supply lines briefly with aerator off.

All guides

BathroomIntermediate

Replace Bathroom Faucet

Time

60–120 min

Steps

Pre-check

4 items

Skill

Intermediate

Scope

Replace a bathroom sink faucet: shut off the water, disconnect the old supply lines, remove the faucet, set the new one with a seal, reconnect, and test.

Safety

Read before starting

Turn off water supply at valves under sink before starting. Work carefully in confined space; use basin wrench and avoid scratching finish. Wipe spills promptly; take photos before disassembly for reassembly reference.

Pre-Check

4 items · complete before you start

New faucet matches hole layout (single-hole, 4-in center, or 8-in spread); deck plate if covering extra holes
Required
Supply lines long enough and type matches shutoff valves (compression or threaded)
Required
Shutoff valves under sink turn off and are accessible
Required
Penetrating oil on hand if nuts are corroded

0 / 24 complete

Shut Off and Prep

Turn off hot and cold supply valves under sink clockwise
Open faucet to relieve pressure; confirm water is off
Clear items from under vanity; set flashlight and towels; place bucket under connections

Disconnect Supply and Remove Old Faucet

Use basin wrench to loosen supply line nuts at faucet tailpieces; catch residual water
Remove mounting nuts or retaining hardware under sink (basin wrench or socket as needed)
If stuck, apply penetrating oil and wait; avoid forcing — risk cracking sink
Lift old faucet from above; remove any pop-up linkage if replacing with same type

Clean Deck and Check Fit

Scrape old plumber’s putty or gasket from sink deck and underside
Wipe clean and dry; confirm new faucet fits hole spacing and base covers holes
If using deck plate, position it and check alignment before applying sealant

Install New Faucet

Apply plumber’s putty to base (or use included gasket per instructions); do not block water passages
Insert faucet tailpieces through holes from top; align straight
Under sink: install gaskets, washers, and mounting nuts; tighten evenly by hand then with wrench
Hand-tight + ¼ turn — do not overtighten or base can crack; faucet should not wobble

Reconnect Supply Lines

Connect supply lines to faucet tailpieces and to shutoff valves; use thread tape only on male threads if specified
Hand-tighten then ¼ turn with wrench; avoid cross-threading
Reattach pop-up rod and linkage if applicable per instructions

Turn On and Test

Turn supply valves on slowly
Run hot and cold; check for leaks at connections and at base
Test pop-up if present; remove aerator and flush debris if flow is low