Faucet Installation: What You Should Do
Kaye Fretz
For many people, faucet installation is a piece of cake. You don't need a hired expert to do this for you. With a little initiative, you can install your faucet at no extra cost. It is important to remember though that installing a faucet does involve basic knowledge or skill in understanding instructions. Here are some basic points that you should know before you install your faucet.
Faucet Mounting
Faucets are not uniformly made. There are many different faucet types for you to choose from before you can install. You would have to determine for example if you would prefer disc, compression, cartridge or a ball type faucet. One other crucial installation related concern is choosing between a top or bottom mounted faucet.
Bottom Mount
With this type, you have to hold the faucet securely from the bottom. Once the faucet is in its right position, all you have to do would be to install the washers and manually thread the mounting nuts. You can then secure the escutcheons with some putty. The last step is to install the handles.
Top Mount
Many home owners prefer top mounted faucet installation. To make it even more less of a chore, you can get a top mounted faucet with a gasket of its own. A gasket will be all the security you will need to ensure that a faucet is tightly in place. An alternative to a gasket would be to use plumber's putty. After smearing the putty, you just have to put the faucet in after which you can go on with washer and mounting nut installation.
Supply Lines
Your faucet is now in place. All that is left to do is to connect the faucet to the water supply lines. Connect the appropriate hot and cold lines to the right shut off valves. You can use pipe tape to make sure that you have a tight connection. Check all the connections again before you give a go signal to turn on the water supply.
Remember that the real key to installing faucets is the instructions. Some faucet models may already include manual instructions for installation. If they do not, you can easily locate the instructions online. Do make sure though that the instructions you are following are perfectly matched to your type of faucet and connection.
Tips on Faucets
There seems to be no big deal to installing your own faucet. Sometimes the real challenge is in going through the pre installation concerns. You have to consider for example your faucet design based on whether you will be placing it on your kitchen sink or in the bathroom. Some designs are simply meant for one or the other.
Another faucet related consideration would be the space. A small kitchen sink and a small bathroom would look better with small faucets. You could also opt for wall mounted faucets to maximize the use of your small space.
Another concern would be your handle preferences. Double handles can help you mix hot and cold water more accurately. Those who are always in a hurry though would do better with single handle faucets that function with a single twist or flick.
Faucet installation can be the easiest project you can do. Do make sure though that all your pre installation concerns have been properly addressed.
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