- 1). Close the faucet water supply valves that protrude through the wall or floor under the sink. If there are no valves available, then close the home's main water supply valve, which is generally located in a basement or crawl space.
- 2). Loosen the faucet drain lift-rod linkage retaining nut with an adjustable wrench until the lift-rod pulls free; pull the lift-rod out of the top of the faucet. The retaining nut is accessed under the sink and is connected to the rod that lifts up and down to close the drain in the sink bowl.
- 3). Unscrew the faucet water supply line nuts from the faucet valve body threads with an adjustable wrench. Faucet models with metal copper water supply tubes require the use of two adjustable wrenches. Hold the attached supply tube nut with one wrench and loosen the water supply line nut with another adjustable wrench.
- 4). Unscrew the plastic faucet retaining nuts from the faucet valve body threads with a basin wrench; these nuts connect to the water supply lines and are what holds the faucet to the sink top. Some faucet models are equipped with metal retaining washers and nuts; unscrew the metal nuts from the faucet retaining studs and slide the metal washers from the retaining studs.
- 5). Pull the faucet from the sink top. Clean the faucet mounting area with mild abrasive cleaner and a sponge to remove any scum and caulking residue.
- 6). Apply a small bead of plumber's putty or silicone sealant around the holes in the sink top faucet mounting area. Refer to the sink top manufacturer's instructions for specific faucet sealant types. Some sink top manufacturers require the use of silicone sealant over plumber's putty to maintain the warranty's validity.
- 7). Slide the new two-handled faucet threaded valve body inlets into the holes in the sink top; the valve body inlets are connected to the underside of the faucet. Align the faucet so that it is sitting straight and square on the sink top.
- 8). Screw the plastic faucet retaining nuts onto the faucet valve body threaded inlets and tighten with a basin wrench.
- 9). Remove excess silicone sealant from the sink top with a rag. Remove excess plumber's putty with a small tip screwdriver.
- 10
Apply a light coat of plumber's polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, paste to the faucet valve body inlet threads; applying plumber's PTFE paste results in a watertight seal. Since setting the faucet, the valve body inlet threads are accessed under the sink. - 11
Screw the water supply line nuts onto the faucet valve body inlet threads and tighten with an adjustable wrench. - 12
Slide the faucet drain lift-rod into the lift-rod hole on top of the faucet. - 13
Slide the lift-rod linkage onto the lift-rod; tighten the lift-rod linkage retaining nut with an adjustable wrench. Push and pull the lift-rod up and down to check for proper drain operation. - 14
Open the faucet water supply valves, turn on the hot and cold faucet handles and allow the water to flow for several minutes. Check the water supply connections for leaks under the sink.
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