Buying and Installing Faucets

Buy the Correct Faucet

There are so many types, sizes, and styles of faucets, make sure that you purchase the correct faucet when you are replacing an existing one since many faucets are not interchangeable.

Before purchasing a replacement faucet, take an exact measurement of the existing holes for the faucet, from center to center, and also be sure remove the old faucet and take it along with you to the store when purchasing the new fixture. Unless of course, you will be buying the new faucet from an awesome online source, such as www.MasterFaucet.com where they have the greatest selection on the planet!

Before installing the new faucet, be sure to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions for installation. It is very important to follow the instructions exactly.

Use the Proper Tools

It's important to use the proper tools when removing existing plumbing fixtures. You'll probably need two pipe wrenches, called Stillson wrenches, for a plumbing job. One is used for holding, the other for turning. Only use pipe wrenches on the pipes. The teeth in the jaws of pipe wrenches will bite into the metal and can mar or damage the chrome finish on the nuts and pipe.

Open-end wrenches and adjustable wrenches have smooth jaws and can be used for square or hex nuts, and these wrenches are ideal for working with the interior parts of faucets and valves. Also, a closet spud wrench is a special thin wrench made to fit into tight places.

Use strap wrenches instead of a pipe wrench when working with chrome-coated pipe if a regular pipe wrench might mar the surface. Vise grip wrenches are only ideal for holding and working with pipe of small diameter.

Use basin wrenches to remove or tighten the nuts and the hose couplings under sinks and lavatories. The ability to alternate positions enables you to reach nuts that would ordinarily be inaccessible to most other wrenches.

Converting from Iron Pipe to Copper Tubing

You will usually want to convert from iron pipe to plastic or copper, and be sure to check your local code. Both copper and plastic are versatile because they require no threading.

Attach a copper pipe to a threaded pipe with a transition union. Half of the union is threaded onto the old iron pipe. The other half is then soldered to the copper pipe. The two halves are then threaded together. This type of fitting is also available for connecting iron to plastic and copper to plastic using solvent cement or other mechanical connections.

Replacing of Faucets with Soldered Ends

When you have to replace an ordinary faucet with a soldered end, you would first remove the old faucet by applying heat or by cutting. Clean the end of the pipe thoroughly, and then remove the stem of the faucet to protect the seat washer. Apply heat to the pipe with an ordinary propane heat torch. Then you can apply the solder and reassemble the faucet. For health and safety reasons, use a solder that has no lead.

You can apply an ordinary faucet of the same type to threaded pipe by applying a pipe compound or Teflon tape to the pipe threads and then attaching the faucet to the threads.

Installing a Common Sink Faucet

Most sink faucets are of the mixer variety. These are faucets where the hot and cold water are mixed together and brought into the sink through one swing spout. The typical mixer-type faucet also comes equipped with a spray hose.

Mixer faucets for kitchen sinks are usually 8", although they also come in 6" and 4" sizes. There are two basic types; the exposed deck, and the concealed deck. The exposed deck has a chrome housing above the sink, while the concealed deck has only a flange exposed just below the faucet handles.

All faucets come with installation instructions, and you should read these instructions very carefully and follow these steps to insure a good installation.

If instructions are unavailable, you can check the online resource instructions given here at www.MasterFaucet.com We are happy to be your source for everything kitchen and bathroom related!

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