See How To Install a Faucet for Your Sink

Always begin by reading any instructions you get from the faucet manufacturer. You will need a basin wrench and possibly some plumbers putty.

Be sure you have the water to the sink turned off usually by using the shut off valve under the counter.

Check under the faucet handles for a rubber seal. Most new faucets have them already in place, if yours doesn’t you may want to put a good sized ring of plumbers putty around the hole where the handles will sit or the entire escutcheon.
After the faucet is installed you can scrape off the excess putty.
A leaky faucet can be repaired without necessarily being replaced. See our page on fixing a leaky faucet

How to Install a Faucet

Drop the faucet in place making sure there is a good seal with the putty and being sure the faucet is in line with the sink.
Take the large (usually plastic) nuts that came with the faucet and from underneath the sink, tighten them up by hand and check once again that the faucet is in the correct position.

Use your basin wrench to tighten the nuts a bit more being sure not to overtighten them.

Now you will reconnect the water supply risers. These are what connect the water line to the faucet itself.

There is now a flexible braided tubing on the market that comes in varying lengths. Because of its flexibility, you might find it easier to replace your existing line with this since your new faucet connections may line up differently than the old one.

Be sure to connect the hot water with the hot water handle and cold with cold. It is another detail but one you won’t forget twice.

Once you have the lines all reconnected you can go ahead and turn the shut off valve back on.
Try the faucet now, both the hot and cold water.
Be sure to check under the sink at your connections also. Any leaks are probably due to an uneven tightening of nuts.

Let the water run for a few minutes then take off the aerator and clean out any deposits that may have collected in it and replace it.

TA DA!