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How to Replace a Kitchen or Bathroom Faucet?

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Is it time for an update for your faucet? If it’s just dripping, you can usually just replace a washer or other seal. Don’t worry if you need to replace the whole thing though. The procedure is pretty straightforward, especially if you have the right tools.

Inspect your sink. Check to see how many openings there are and how far apart they are. You may have to look underneath to be sure. For bathroom faucets, in particular, the two handles may be joined with the spout to become a single unit or they may be spread apart from it. You will need this information to choose the correct replacement.

Review the instructions that come with the faucet. They can range from detailed and helpful to minimal and frustrating. When in doubt, defer to the manufacturer’s instructions rather than those you find elsewhere. Consider buying a basin wrench for under $20. It’s a tool designed to reach way up behind your sink and remove the two big nuts on each side of the faucet that hold the faucet tight against the sink. If you can’t loosen the nuts by hand or with the tools you have on hand, a basin wrench will make the job easier.

Remove everything from under the sink and store it well out of your way. Get plenty of light under your sink so you can see what you are doing up there. Arrange any portable lamp or use a drop light if you have one.

Turn off the water to the faucet. Under the sink, you will see two supply lines coming out of the wall and going up to your faucet. There should be a valve on each one, one for hot and one for cold. Turn both of these valves off by twisting them clockwise as though they were faucets. Loosen the tube nut that’s just above the valve on each tube and lift the tubes out of the valves. Water will come out of each tube now as they drain back from the faucet so you’ll need a towel to soak up this water.

It’s a good idea to replace the supply lines when you replace the faucet, if they are old, especially if they were the flexible sort. If you have solid tubing, it isn’t generally necessary unless it doesn’t reach the new faucet. If you’re not replacing the supply lines, you may only have to disconnect them at the top. A braided, stainless steel reinforced supply line will virtually eliminate the possibility of flooding from the line bursting.

 

The knowledge of Renovate Bathroom

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Choose moisture and mildew-resistant paint. Because bathrooms get damp, wallpaper is not a good idea. The best paint to use for a bathroom is something that is either semi-glossy or satin; both are resistant to frequent cleaning and touching. Textured paint is also a great option if you are re-painting an old surface; the texture will conceal any bumps and imperfections. Whatever paint you decide to use, make sure that it is intended for bathrooms, and is both moisture and mildew proof.

Use light colors, such as sky blue, sea foam green, or lavender, if you have a small bathroom. They will make your bathroom appear bigger than it actually is. Use darker colors to make large bathrooms appear smaller and cozier. Go for gray or white if you can’t decide. They are common bathroom colors. Consider adding accent or trim colors to match your decor and towels.

Decide what sort of material you want for your counter. There are different types of materials you can use for your counter, if you choose to have one. Natural stone looks and feels luxurious. It is very beautiful, but it needs to be sealed properly so that it does not soak up stains. The drawback is that it can only come in flat slabs.

Resin is great for counters with irregular shapes. They are a great choice if you want to have a sink molded right into the counter. They can be made to resemble almost any material and don’t need to be sealed. Despite this, they don’t have the beauty of natural stone.

Laminate counters are cheap and come in many different finishes. They are also stain and scratch resistant. Unfortunately, they can also fade and deteriorate over time. Consider covering your counter with porcelain tiles or glazed tile. This will make it durable, and easier to clean.

Choose your bathtub, sinks, showers, and other fixtures. There are different types of tubs, sinks, and showers. For example, some types of sinks and tubs are free-standing and can be moved around if needed. Other types are directly molded into the counter or wall tiles.

Pedestal sinks look elegant and take up little space, but they won’t fit in a counter, and you can’t place a cabinet under them. You will need to install cabinets and counters in other parts of your bathroom. Vessels and bowls are popular sink choices. They sit right on top of a counter. The downside is that you will need to clean under them, and you can’t just wipe things off the counter and into the sink, like you would with a molded sink.

Molded sinks are often set right into the vanity. They are the most common, but also the most convenient. Claw-foot bathtubs are free-standing and classical. They are often made from porcelain tiles and can hold heat better. You will need to add a drain in the floor to catch any spilled water.