How To DIY A Bathroom Sink Faucet For A Gorgeous New Look

Installing a new faucet is a home repair that sounds more difficult than it usually is. In fact, it's one of the easiest plumbing tasks you can tackle. Couple it with the fact that a new, more modern bathroom faucet is an affordable upgrade available at any home store, most homeowners can bring new sparkle into their bathroom with a simple swap of their fixtures. It's a straightforward task with only a few steps that shouldn't take more than a couple of hours: removing the old faucet, replacing the sink drain, and installing the new faucet into the existing sink.

A bathroom sink can truly become the creative canvas you didn't know was worthy of customization. Though there are types of faucets to avoid at all costs, a high-quality faucet should last at least 20 years. However, they still come in a variety of styles, colors, and designs for bathroom sinks that will amp up your home. There are three types of configurations for bathroom faucets: single-hole, center-spread, and split set. For those in a newer home, most faucet fixtures are interchangeable as long as the new faucet is in the same configuration as the previous one. When an entire countertop or sink is being replaced, it's possible to change the setup.

It sounds obvious, but be sure to turn off both the hot and cold water supply lines before you start. The valve is typically underneath the sink, inside the cabinet. Also, don't forget to put something underneath the sink to catch water from the sink's pipe. Not only is it good practice, but this project will likely include swapping out the sink's drain pipe.

To start, disconnect the water lines. Remove the existing faucet by unscrewing the washers on the mounting nuts, which are under the sink, and then disconnect the lift rod from the drain. Physically separating the old faucet from the sink is easy but takes both care and sometimes a little force to make sure it comes free because the old base can stick to the sink. Clean the area of any buildup or debris from the old gasket. Soap and water should be enough to do the job, but you may need to manually scrape off anything really stuck on. 

After that's removed, replace the bathroom sink drain if needed and install your new faucet. The latter is as simple as setting the new gasket in place, making sure the new, more memorable faucet lines up with the holes, and securing it in place with new washers on the mounting nuts. The mounting hardware may vary depending on your new fixture, so always follow the manufacturers instructions. If yours includes a pop-up drain, insert the lift rod in the back of the faucet and connect it to the drain stopper. Finally, seal the edges with some waterproof caulk. Don't forget to reattach the water supply lines, and run some water to check for leaks both above the bathroom counter and underneath it.