Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen Faucet


Generally how hard is it to change out a kitchen faucet?

My kitchen faucet is driving me nuts! It leaks and has handles to turn the water off and on instead of the "arm" type I want. It actually looks more like something I would expect to find in a bathroom. Is it something that someone who is not mechanically inclined could do or should I call a plumber?

It can be very easy or extremely difficult and frustrating.

The real challenge is loosening the nut that is clamping the faucet to the sink. Most of the time a faucet is placed on the sink before the sink is actually set in place. Once the sink is set in place it can be frustratingly cramped and next to impossible to get a wrench in to loosen that nut (there is a special wrench used for this that most people do not have). Not to mention if your faucet has been leaking any water and if that water is 'hard water' calcium could have deposited on the threads and around the nut further compounding the problem.

All faucets come with instructions on how to install them so it really should not be much of an issue installing a new one but, as I mentioned, getting the old one out could be a real pain in the neck. I'd take a look under your sink and attempt to see if you have the room to get a wrench on to the nut holding the faucet in place. If it looks promising give it a try (turn the shutoff valves off first though under neath the sink). If you can get it off, pick up a new one and replace it. If you can't get it off, call up your local plumber, or as mentioned by another, a handyman (cheaper) and have them do it for you.

The number of holes in the sink does not really matter though as someone said they did. A single handle can use one or two of holes depending on the style and manufacturer and they generally come with a plate that will cover all three holes.