How to Replace a Faucet

Replacing a faucet is one of the most satisfying home improvement projects you can tackle in a single afternoon. Whether your kitchen faucet is leaking beyond repair or your bathroom faucet looks like it belongs in a 1970s time capsule, a faucet replacement is a straightforward job that most homeowners can handle with basic tools. In Los Angeles, where older homes in neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Glendale often have original fixtures that are decades old, upgrading a faucet can instantly modernize a space and stop wasting water.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to replace both kitchen and bathroom faucets from start to finish. We will cover the tools you need, the steps involved, key differences between the two types, and when it makes sense to call a professional instead.

Before You Start: Choosing the Right Faucet

Before you remove anything, buy your new faucet first. You need to match the configuration of your existing sink:

• Count the holes in your sink — Kitchen sinks typically have 1 to 4 holes. Bathroom sinks usually have 3 holes (two handles plus a spout) or a single hole for a single-handle faucet. Your new faucet must match the number of holes, or you will need a deck plate to cover unused ones.
• Measure the spread — For bathroom faucets with separate handles, measure the distance between the outer holes center to center. Standard spread is 4 inches (centerset) or 8 inches (widespread).
• Check the supply line connections — Most modern faucets use standard 3/8-inch compression fittings, but older LA homes sometimes have non-standard plumbing. Look under the sink before you buy.

Budget $50 to $150 for a quality kitchen faucet and $40 to $120 for a bathroom faucet. Avoid the cheapest options — a well-made faucet with ceramic disc valves will last 10 to 15 years without developing leaks.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Basin wrench (essential for reaching nuts in tight spaces under the sink)
• Channel-lock pliers
• Bucket and towels
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Plumber's tape (Teflon tape)
• New supply lines (recommended — reusing old ones risks leaks)
• Penetrating oil (WD-40 or PB Blaster) for corroded connections

How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucet replacement is the more common of the two jobs. Here is the process step by step:

1. Turn off the water supply. Look under the sink for the hot and cold shut-off valves. Turn both clockwise until they stop. Then turn on the faucet to release any remaining pressure and water from the lines.
2. Disconnect the supply lines. Place a bucket under the connections to catch residual water. Use your wrench to loosen the nuts connecting the supply lines to the shut-off valves and to the faucet tailpieces. If connections are corroded, spray them with penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
3. Disconnect the sprayer hose (if applicable). Unscrew the sprayer hose from the faucet body under the sink. Some models have a quick-connect fitting that you simply press to release.
4. Remove the mounting nuts. This is where the basin wrench earns its keep. Reach up behind the sink and loosen the mounting nuts holding the faucet to the sink deck. These can be very tight, especially in older homes. Turn counterclockwise to remove.
5. Lift out the old faucet. Clean the sink surface thoroughly. Remove old plumber's putty or caulk residue with a plastic scraper.
6. Install the new faucet. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most modern kitchen faucets come with a rubber gasket or require a bead of plumber's putty around the base plate. Feed the supply lines and mounting hardware down through the sink hole from above.
7. Tighten the mounting hardware from below. Hand-tighten the mounting nuts, then snug them with your basin wrench. Do not overtighten — you can crack the sink.
8. Connect the supply lines. Attach new braided stainless steel supply lines to the faucet tailpieces and the shut-off valves. Wrap the threads with plumber's tape first. Hand-tighten plus a quarter turn with a wrench.
9. Turn on the water and test. Open the shut-off valves slowly. Check every connection for leaks. Run both hot and cold water for a minute. Check under the sink with a flashlight for any drips.

How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Replacing a bathroom faucet follows the same general process, with a few key differences:

• The pop-up drain linkage. Most bathroom faucets connect to the sink's pop-up drain stopper via a lift rod and a clevis strap. You will need to disconnect this linkage before removing the old faucet. Behind the drain pipe under the sink, find the horizontal pivot rod and unscrew the retaining nut to free it.
• Tighter workspace. Bathroom vanity cabinets are smaller than kitchen cabinets, making the work more awkward. A basin wrench is not optional here — it is essential.
• Three-hole vs. single-hole configuration. If you are switching from a three-hole centerset faucet to a single-handle model, you will need a deck plate to cover the extra holes. If going from single to three-hole, the holes need to be drilled — which is a job for a professional if your countertop is stone or quartz.

When installing the new bathroom faucet, connect the pop-up drain assembly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Test the stopper mechanism before calling the job done.

DIY vs. Professional Cost Comparison

The DIY route saves you $120 to $150 on average. But if the job takes you three hours of frustration under the sink versus 45 minutes for a pro, the math changes. See our full breakdown of handyman costs in Los Angeles for more context.

Common Problems You Might Run Into

Faucet replacement is usually straightforward, but older Los Angeles homes can throw some curveballs:

• Corroded shut-off valves. If the shut-off valves under your sink have not been turned in years, they may be frozen or may not shut off completely. Forcing a stuck valve can break it and cause flooding. If the valve will not turn, call a professional.
• Non-standard pipe sizes. Some homes built before the 1960s in areas like Pasadena and Burbank used non-standard pipe sizes. You may need adapter fittings.
• Corroded mounting nuts. After decades of exposure to moisture, the nuts holding the old faucet may be completely seized. Penetrating oil and patience usually work. If not, a reciprocating saw with a metal-cutting blade can cut through them, but this is advanced territory.
• Damaged sink surface. When you remove the old faucet, you might discover that the sink deck is cracked or corroded around the mounting holes. This is more common with older stainless steel kitchen sinks.

These are all situations where having a professional handle the job saves you from a small project turning into a big one. For other common plumbing problems in LA homes, check our detailed guide.

When to Call a Professional

Consider hiring a handyman for your faucet replacement if:

• Your shut-off valves are stuck, leaking, or do not fully close.
• You are changing the number of sink holes (requires drilling).
• The supply pipes under the sink are corroded or non-standard.
• You want to move the faucet location (requires rerouting supply lines).
• You do not own a basin wrench and do not want to buy one for a single job.

At GoldKey Repairs, we handle faucet replacements and all types of plumbing work across Los Angeles. We also offer toilet and faucet repair services if your fixture just needs a fix rather than a full replacement. Our pricing is transparent: $150 for the first hour and $85 for each additional hour, plus the cost of parts. Most faucet replacements take less than an hour. Call us at (323) 630-9115 to schedule a visit.