For many people, faucet installation is a piece of cake. You don't need a hired expert to do this for you. With a little initiative, you can install your faucet at no extra cost. It is important to remember though that installing a faucet does involve basic knowledge or skill in understanding instructions. Here are some basic points that you should know before you install your faucet.
Bottom or Top
Faucets are not uniformly made. There are many different faucet types for you to choose from before you can install. You would have to determine for example if you would prefer disc, compression, cartridge or a ball type faucet. One other crucial installation related concern is choosing between a top or bottom mounted faucet.
Bottom Mounted Faucet
Bottom mounted types are held in position from under the sink. From there, you only have to manually thread the mounting nuts to the tailpiece and install the washers. Next, put the escutcheons in place with a little plumber's putty. You can then position the handles on top.
Top Mounted Faucet
Faucet installation with this type may seem easier for some to manage. Many new models come with their own gaskets so they can be tightly put in place. If your faucet doesn't have its own gasket, make sure you apply the right amount of plumber's putty. Once the putty is in place, put the faucet head on. From the bottom, install the mounting nuts and washers to the tailpiece.
Supply Lines
Your faucet is now in place. All that is left to do is to connect the faucet to the water supply lines. Connect the appropriate hot and cold lines to the right shut off valves. You can use pipe tape to make sure that you have a tight connection. Check all the connections again before you give a go signal to turn on the water supply.
In case you hadn't noticed yet, all you really need is to follow instructions. You also need to understand them correctly. You would be lucky if you were able to buy a faucet with free installation instructions. There are however, also several instruction sites online that could help you.
Tips on Faucets
Installing a faucet can easily be done. What you need to make sure of is that you make the right faucet choice in the first place. The first thing you have to settle is the location of your faucet. Faucets for bathrooms and kitchens are not the same.
You also have to consider the space where the faucets will be located. A tight sink area for instance will always do better with a wall mounted faucet to make pot water filling easier. Smaller bathrooms too could make do with wall faucets or small faucet designs.
Another concern would be your handle preferences. Double handles can help you mix hot and cold water more accurately. Those who are always in a hurry though would do better with single handle faucets that function with a single twist or flick.
Faucet installation can be the easiest project you can do. Do make sure though that all your pre installation concerns have been properly addressed.