Many kitchen remodeling tasks can be done yourself.  For example, it doesn’t take a plumber to replace a kitchen faucet.  The biggest dilemma will be deciding which faucet will meet your needs, your tastes, and your budget.

You need to determine whether your kitchen remodeling project will include replacing the sink too, or just the faucet.  If you are only replacing the faucet, look at the current arrangement noting the number of holes in your sink.  If you have an older, traditional faucet with two handles and a sprayer to the side, the new faucet will have to use, or cover, all of those existing holes.  This information is on most packaging, or the “footprints” of your current faucet and the new faucet can also be measured and compared.

Removal of the old faucet without the help of a plumber:

• Turn off the water supply under the sink.  There is a valve for both the hot and cold water.
• Remove the water supply lines from the current faucet.  Plumbers use a faucet wrench, but a crescent wrench should work.
• Remove the nuts that hold the faucet in place.
• Remove the faucet.

Before setting the new faucet in place, be sure to clean the gunk from where the old faucet was.  One of the benefits of kitchen remodeling is that you get to enjoy a completely clean kitchen.

Because there are many types of faucets, each will come with different instructions for special options such as pullout sprayers, soap dispensers, etc.  Basic installation of the new faucet is as easy as doing the previous steps in reverse.

Turn on the water and check for leaks.  If you find a leak, don’t panic and call the plumber yet!  Check that the supply lines are adequately tightened and also check that the supply lines themselves are not leaking.  Lastly check that the faucet is firmly seated onto the plastic seal.

This kitchen remodeling project will enhance the look of your kitchen for years to come.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisasanderson/3757384947/)