San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Homestyle Faucet-fueled face-lift
Replacing worn out faucets with stylish new ones can instantly upgrade your lavatory
Got a bathroom that’s seen better days but lack the funds to beautify it from top to bottom? Here’s an easy and inexpensive quick fix: Swap out that dated and dinged up sink faucet with a spif fy new substitute.
“Bathroom faucets are affordable upgrades that can be done fairly quickly and make a big impact,” explained Heather Mastrangeli, a licensed interior designer in Downers Grove, Illinois, who added that you can expect to pay at least $150 for a quality faucet. “Not only can you modernize the look, as many faucets in older homes aren’t optimized for water conser vation, but new faucet fixtures are.”
Craig Russell, founder and CEO of The English Contractor in Cincinnati, said a sink faucet is a bathroom element that’s handled fairly often and which can show its age relatively quickly after being subjected to vigorous cleaning and scrubbing as well as hard water over the years.
“Changing out your faucet is an easy way to add a new element of style to your space that will capture the eye and make hand washing, toothbrushing, and other ever yday bathroom duties more pleasant,” he said.
When shopping for a fresh faucet, tr y to match the finish to other metals and finishes already found in the room. For example, if your bathroom currently glistens with chrome fixtures and elements, opt for a chrome faucet.
“On the other hand, a lot of homeowners are mixing their metals in their bathrooms right now — using, for instance, polished nickel and brass together or black and chrome in tandem,” Russell said.
Remember, too, that not all vanity counter tops or sink pedestals are created equal, and not all are the same depth, “so you need to consider what kind of faucet fixture will fit in the space and determine which sizes are available,” suggested Mark Ham, a Cedar Park, Texas-based craftsman, contractor, and Protip Pro expert.
Keep in mind that your new faucet will need to fit within the pre-drilled holes in your vanity counter top or pedestal sink. To determine how many holes you currently have, look underneath your bathroom sink and measure the distance between the holes. Standard faucet hole drillings are single-hole, center set, widespread, or mini spread (be sure your new faucet matches this hole drilling configuration).
Once you’ve acquired your desired faucet, it can be relatively simple to install — even if you lack serious plumbing skills. First, gather the necessar y tools: pliers or channel lock pliers, an adjustable wrench, 3/8inch water caps (to prevent leaking), Phillips screwdriver and flat head screwdriver, bucket and towel, flashlight and plumber’s tape.
When you’re ready to install, follow these steps recommended by Ham:
1. Shut of f the water valves below the sink. Try turning on the wa
ter to ensure there’s no flow.
2. Place an empty bucket beneath your sink and the hot and cold water lines; spread a dr y towel around the area in case of leakage.
3. Disconnect both your hot and cold water lines beneath the existing faucet.
4. Remove the fasteners (usually nuts and bolts) that hold the faucet down underneath the counter top, holding the faucet in place with your other hand so that it doesn’t fall into the sink and damage it.
Remove and discard the old faucet.
5. Read the new faucet manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully. Insert the new faucet in the pre-drilled holes and fasten it in place (snugly but not too tightly so that you don’t break the countertop or sink) using the fasteners that came with the faucet kit.
6. Attach the hot and cold water lines without over tightening (to prevent compromising the rubber gasket inside). Wrap a thin layer of plumber’s tape around the pipe threads before tightening.
7. Remove the old pop-up drain and install the new one in its place.
8. Turn the water supply valves back on. Test to make sure the new faucet operates properly without any leaks. Inspect the drain line and supply valves carefully for leaks.