When working on a faucet, it is important to turn off the hot and cold water supply lines. This can also mean shutting off the water supply to the entire house. This is important because valves can get stuck, especially after being inactive for a while. After turning off the water supply, remove the handles of the faucet to relieve any pressure that is in the lines. Then, unscrew the nut on the water supply lines using an adjustable wrench.
If the supply lines are attached to the faucet and are leaking, you can replace them with stainless steel flex lines and a new valve. However, it is important to note that older valves can fail. When changing the faucet, keep a bucket close by for any residual water. Before unplugging the supply lines, turn off the main water supply using the shutoff valve. If the valve is attached to the water line, stabilize it with pliers to avoid it twisting or breaking.
Before you begin removing the supply line, take a sketch of the cabinet and measure the distance from the angle stop valve discharge port to the pull down kitchen faucet intake port. Measure how long the pipe is and make sure that you have enough extra tubing to complete the installation. You can use a PVC or copper tubing cutter for this task. Once you have the length of the supply line, slip a compression or locking nut over it, then slip the plastic ring over the small end of the supply line. Make sure that the bevelled end of the tube is against the bottom of the faucet's intake port.
If you've gotten an older faucet, you can remove the supply line using a basin wrench. However, you may need to disconnect other pipes, such as the sink drain or the garbage disposal. This requires additional time and effort. After all lines are disconnected, you can now take out the old faucet.
You can also change the water supply lines if the old ones are not in good condition. These lines might be hard to locate. Make sure to check for any signs of mold on the supply line. You may also need to use bleach to remove mold that has formed on the supply lines. Once you've removed the old line, you can install the new one.
If you're having trouble opening the faucet, the shutoff valve could be stuck or rusted. In this case, it might be difficult to remove it by hand. You should shut off the water supply line first. Usually, the main water valve is located in the crawlspace or basement. You can also turn off water at the meter using pliers. Usually, this is located beneath a small manhole.
You may have a hard time getting into a small, cramped space under a sink cabinet. However, it is not too difficult if you know how to use the right tools and follow the steps carefully. If you know what to do, the entire process should take about an hour.
