Today Fay writes:
Hello! My kitchen sink faucet is leaking and I’d like to replace it with a new one. The sink is an undermount. Is it possible to replace a kitchen faucet fixture without pulling up the granite countertop to get to the sink? Many thanks for your advice.
Yes, it’s possible to replace just the faucet. With a standard overlapping kitchen sink, the sink is on top of the countertop. While with an undermount sink, the layers are reversed with the countertop being on top of the sink. Even though you’ve got an undermount sink, it makes no difference for removing the faucet only. The kitchen faucet should only be “connected” to the granite countertop with plumber’s putty or silicone caulking. So all that is needed for removal is a putty knife!
One question to ask yourself before purchasing a new faucet is: How many holes are in your sink/countertop? Look underneath the sink/countertop to see if you have 2, 3 or 4 holes. This will determine what type of faucet you need to get to replace it. If you have more holes than you need, those can be filled with soap dispensers, hot water dispenser, sprayer or blank plug that matches the sink color to fill in the hole. It’s when you don’t have enough holes that you need to be aware of it.
If you’re going to change your faucet yourself, here’s a list of tools you might need: basin wrench, standard adjustable wrenches, plumbers putty or silicone caulking, putty knife, teflon tape, pliers, and new supply lines.
I’d also consider watching this video, as it goes through the steps needed to remove and replace an existing kitchen faucet. While this video shows an overlap kitchen sink, it is still the same process as it would with your undermount sink.
The above video does a good job at going over the basics of what changing out a kitchen faucet entails. It’s a good project for the do-it-yourselfer who enjoys different projects around the home. Personally, I’d rather change out an electrical fixture than a plumbing one! But that is just me. So there is no shame if you decide to have someone else do this project for you!
Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.
