A Detailed Guide on How To Install A Pull Down Kitchen Faucet

To give your kitchen sink a new look, a pull-down faucet is an excellent DIY project that is both easy and inexpensive. With a bit of elbow grease and knowledge, you can get rid of the swivel head and hot and cold handle aesthetic.

Modern fixtures, such as a sleek single arm with an attached control that allows you to adjust the hot and cold water, as well as an extendable hose and adjustable spray, will not only upgrade your kitchen’s style but also add functionality to the room.

Removing grime from the corners of your sink is a snap with the retractable spray hose tucked away inside the pull-down faucet. Because the project is so straightforward, it’s one of the best aspects. One afternoon is all it will take if you’re handy with a wrench and can twist a few fittings into place.

Here, we’ll walk you through the process of installing a pull-down sink, as well as give you an idea of how much time and money it will take.

An Overview of Pull-Down Faucet Mechanics

Homeowners may be fearful of plumbing projects. We’ve all seen the episodes of home improvement shows where they discover leaky pipes and end up with a costly disaster.

Fortunately, replacing a faucet does not require the assistance of a professional, as it is typically a matter of swapping out the hardware and securing some compression fittings. You will not need education in soldering or the use of specialized accessories such as Teflon tape to complete this task.

Securing your water supply line will vary according to the type of faucet you are installing. Some models include braided flexible water supply hoses that are easier to configure to fit the space than rigid tubing.

Others continue to use a stiff copper or chrome supply line. In these instances, you’ll use the threaded fitting on end to connect it to a braided line using compression fittings purchased separately from your faucet.

Finally, some European pull-down faucets are sold without connectors. You’ll need to decide whether to add a compression fitting to the tubing already in your setup and then connect it directly to the valves or whether to use a compression coupler, which allows for connection to braided lines.

If you’re purchasing your new faucet at a hardware store, inquire about the model’s attachment options. When shopping online, be sure to read the product specifications and purchase any additional equipment necessary to create a tight, leak-proof fitting.

Another factor to consider is how replacing your faucet will affect the aesthetics of your sink. Most models feature a single control for hot and cold water directly attached to the spout, and the fixture requires only one hole in the sink’s rim.

If you’re replacing an older fixture with separate cold and hot water handles, your sink will have a few extra holes. You’ll either need to purchase escutcheon plates to conceal the gaps or consider replacing the entire basin.

Estimates for Pull-Down Sinks

Assuming you’re simply replacing the faucet, here are some estimates for the project’s duration, skill level, and cost.

Cost

Depending on the model you choose, the project will cost between $250 and $1,100. The supplies required are minimal, and most of the money will go toward the fixture.

Estimated Timeframe

A homeowner with only a basic understanding of home repair can complete the project in one to three hours. The most time-consuming part will likely be removing the old faucet, as the installation is quite simple.

Skill Level

A basic understanding of plumbing is beneficial, and a moderate skill set with tools will suffice. No prior experience with plumbing is required.

A Step-By-Step Guide To Installing A Pull Down Kitchen Faucet

This is a step-by-step guide to replacing your existing faucet with a new pull-down model.

Step 1: Remove the Existing Faucet

Begin by locating the water valves and positioning yourself beneath the sink. Make a mental note of which is which, and then turn them off by rotating them to the right until they are snug.

Following that, test the faucet by turning it on and ensuring that the water does not continue to flow.

If it comes on, this indicates that the valves you turned are not functioning correctly and that you must locate and shut off the second valve, which is located further down on the waterline. Alternatively, you could shut off the water at the source, the main.

Once the water flow has been successfully stopped, place a small receptacle or thick towel beneath the lines to catch any remaining fluid. Adjust the nuts that connect the cables to their corresponding valves using an adjustable wrench.

Finally, take a basin wrench and reach beneath the counter to locate the nuts that secure the faucet to the sink. Loosen them and any that are secured to the cold and hot water faucet handles. You are now prepared and capable of removing the existing faucet.

Step 2: Disconnect the Water Supply Lines

Once the hex-nut connecting the shut-off valve to the water supply line is loosened, you can pull the line away from the valve. Gently push down on the valve, taking care not to cause a crimp in the copper pipeline coming out of the wall.

Step 3: Install the New Faucet

First, attach the spray head to the hose line and then thread the hose up and through the new spout. Likely, the temperature control handle is already attached, but if not, secure it now with the tool and set screw included in the hardware kit.

Following that, position the sealing ring onto the faucet’s stem by gliding it over the hoses and supply line. If you’re concealing holes in the sink, set the escutcheon plate.

Finally, secure all hoses and thread them through the sink basin’s center hole.

Step 4: Affix the Faucet

While this is a one-person project, if you have a second pair of hands that can lend a hand for a moment, now is the time to grab them.

To install the new faucet, position yourself beneath the sink and layer the triangle-shaped plastic washer, the fiber and metal washers, and the circular nut in that order over the hoses.

They should be pressed to the sink’s underside. If you have assistance, request that your assistant secure the faucet in the ideal position on top of the sink so that it does not shift as you screw it in place underneath.

Following that, insert the circular nut included in the assembly into the large threads on the faucet stem. Utilize your basin wrench to tighten the seal, and finally, using the screws included in the assembly kit, clamp the nut to the first triangular plastic washer.

Step 5: Reconnect the Water Lines

Determine which braided lines are cold and hot, and connect them to the supply line’s corresponding valves. Generally, hot is denoted by red, while gold is denoted by blue. Then, screw the unattached end of the spray hose into the third line coming out of the faucet.

Finally, secure all compression nuts that connect the supply line to the shut-off valve with an adjustable wrench.

Step 6: Tighten the Compression Nut

If you want to avoid twisting your hose while tightening the compression fitting, you should use a two-wrench approach. Begin by tightening the nut until moderate resistance is felt.

Maintain that wrench in place and, using a second wrench, locate the small nut directly above the compression nut and give it one final quarter-turn using your second point of contact.

Remember that you should avoid using any chemicals or Teflon-based products during this step, as they may lubricate and loosen your fittings, resulting in leaks.

Step 7: Configure the Hose Weight 

Pull-down sink faucets include a weight that sits in the middle of the hose, limiting how far it can extend and assisting it in retracting into the spout.

With a tape measure, locate the point on the spray hose that is 15 inches above the bottom of the fixture. This is the point at which you’ll want to fit and assemble the weight.

Test the spout position by pulling on it and ensuring it extends and usually retracts. If the hose is not retracting properly, ensure that the weight is not resting on the base of the cabinet beneath, as this will cause the problem.

Step 8: Carry out and flush the aerator.

Once your new pull-down sink is completely installed, all that remains is to turn it on. Begin by reactivating the cold and hot water supply valves you shut off when you began the project. Take a moment to examine and observe the connection points to ensure no leaks.

If you notice water dripping, check that the nut is properly screwed on and securely fastened, and if everything appears to be in order, unscrew the aerator from the spray head’s end. Turn the faucet handle to the on position and allow water to flow through to clean the spout and pipes. Finally, install a new aerator.

This step is critical to ensuring that debris from the installation does not become trapped in the mesh filter, resulting in subpar water pressure.