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Faucets How-To Guides

These how-to guides cover common faucet maintenance, repair, and upgrade tasks without going too deep on the pillar page. Use them to navigate to step-by-step instructions tailored to your faucet type and brand.

All Faucets Guides 7

How to Choose the Right Faucet

easy

Everything you need to pick the right kitchen or bathroom faucet -- hole count, mount type, finish, valve technology, and features that actually matter for your sink and daily use.

N/A (buying guide) $50 - $600 depending on brand and features
What you need: Tape measure (for sink depth, spout clearance, and hole spacing) Flashlight (for checking under-sink connections and hole count) Camera or phone (for photographing your current setup to take to the store)

How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

easy

The 10-minute fix for low faucet pressure that most people overlook -- remove, clean, and reinstall your faucet aerator to restore full flow and fix uneven spray.

10 - 15 minutes $0 - $5
What you need: Pliers or adjustable wrench (wrapped in tape or cloth to prevent scratching) White vinegar (for soaking mineral deposits) Old toothbrush (for scrubbing screens) Toothpick or needle (for clearing individual screen holes) Small bowl (for soaking parts) Towel (for laying out disassembled parts in order) Aerator key (only needed for hidden/cache aerators, $2-3)

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet Base

moderate

Fix water pooling around your faucet base -- replace worn O-rings, tighten loose mounting nuts, or reseal a cracked base plate on single-handle and two-handle faucets.

30 - 60 minutes $5 - $15 for O-rings and seals
What you need: Adjustable wrench or basin wrench (for mounting nuts) Allen wrench set (for handle screws) Phillips-head or flathead screwdriver (for handle screws) Replacement O-rings (match size, or buy an assortment kit $3-5) Silicone-based plumber's grease ($3-5) Plumber's putty (for base plate resealing, if needed) Utility knife (for cutting old O-rings off) Flashlight (for inspecting under the sink)

How to Install a Kitchen Faucet

moderate

Remove an old kitchen faucet and install a new one from start to finish -- disconnect supply lines, pull the old faucet, mount the new one, and connect everything leak-free.

1 - 2 hours $100 - $400 for faucet + supplies
What you need: Basin wrench ($10-15, essential for reaching mounting nuts) Adjustable wrench (for supply line connections) Plumber's putty or silicone sealant (for base seal, unless gasket provided) Braided stainless steel supply lines (if not pre-attached to faucet) Bucket and towels (for catching residual water) Flashlight or headlamp (for working under the sink) Channel-lock pliers (for stubborn connections) Rubbing alcohol or lime remover (for cleaning the sink surface)

How to Replace a Faucet Cartridge

moderate

Replace a faucet cartridge to stop drips, fix stiff handles, and restore temperature control -- covers Moen, Delta, Kohler, and other major brands with the tricks for stuck cartridges.

30 - 60 minutes $10 - $40 for cartridge
What you need: Allen wrench set (for handle screws, usually 2.5mm or 3/32 inch) Phillips-head screwdriver (some handles use Phillips screws) Flathead screwdriver (for prying decorative caps) Needle-nose pliers (for retaining clips, especially Moen) Adjustable wrench or channel-lock pliers (for bonnet nuts) Replacement cartridge (brand and model specific, $10-40) Silicone-based plumber's grease ($3-5) Cartridge puller tool (optional, $15-20, essential for stuck Moen cartridges) Penetrating oil / WD-40 (for stuck handles or clips)

How to Replace Faucet Supply Lines

easy

Swap old supply lines for braided stainless steel -- the single best preventive measure against under-sink water damage, and a 20-minute job that could save you thousands.

20 - 40 minutes $10 - $25 for braided stainless steel supply lines
What you need: Adjustable wrench (for supply line connections) Basin wrench (for faucet end connections in tight spaces) Braided stainless steel supply lines (match size and length) Bucket and towels (for residual water) Flashlight (for inspecting connections) Paper towels (for post-installation leak check)

How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet

moderate

Swap out an old kitchen faucet in about an hour. Covers single-hole and three-hole installations, supply line connections, and leak testing.

45 minutes - 1.5 hours $50 - $300 for the faucet; $200 - $500 with a plumber
What you need: Basin wrench ($15-25) Adjustable wrench Bucket and towels Plumber's putty or silicone (if no gasket included) Putty knife (for cleaning the sink deck) Flashlight or headlamp Penetrating oil (for corroded nuts) New braided stainless supply lines (if needed)