How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Replacing a bathroom faucet is a plumbing project that most homeowners can complete without professional help. It requires no special skills beyond the ability to use basic hand tools, and the job is made straightforward by a clear, logical sequence. A new faucet can transform the look of a bathroom sink for $50 to $300 depending on the quality and finish chosen.

What You Need Before You Start

Turn off the water supply valves under the sink — these are the small oval handles on the hot and cold supply lines. Turn both clockwise until they stop. Turn on the faucet to release any remaining pressure in the lines. Have a bucket and old towels ready to catch water that will drain from the supply lines during removal. Plumber's putty or plumber's tape is needed for the new installation.

Removing the Old Faucet

Disconnect the supply lines from the faucet tailpieces using an adjustable wrench. Remove the drain linkage if the faucet includes one. Then go under the sink and remove the mounting nuts that hold the faucet body to the sink from below — this is almost always the most physically awkward part of the job because of the confined space. A basin wrench, which has a long handle specifically designed for reaching up behind the sink, makes this much easier.

Installing the New Faucet

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific faucet. Most require threading the supply lines through the sink holes first, then mounting the faucet from above and securing with the provided mounting hardware from below. Connect the supply lines, connect the drain linkage, turn the water back on slowly, and check all connections for leaks before declaring success.