How do I replace a kitchen faucet?
Shut off the two valves under the sink and open the faucet to confirm the water is off. Disconnect the supply lines, undo the mounting nuts and lift the old faucet out. Set the new one with its gasket or putty, tighten it from below, connect the supply lines, then flush and check every joint for drips. In Virginia a like-for-like swap usually needs no permit.
Free to ask. Local shops send quotes, and you pay only when you book one.
By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished
Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.
Step by step
Read when to stop and call a pro, further down this page, before you start.
Step 1: Check the fit
Count the faucet holes in your sink and compare the new faucet's supply connections with your shutoff valves before you start, buying any adapter you need.[3]
Step 2: Clear the cabinet
Empty the sink cabinet, lay down a towel, set a bucket under the valves and take a photo of how everything is connected.
Step 3: Shut off the water
Turn both shutoff valves clockwise until they are tightly closed, then open the faucet to make sure the water is completely off.[1]
Step 4: Disconnect the supply lines
Loosen each supply line nut at its shutoff valve while holding the valve steady with a second wrench, and let the water drain into the bucket.
Step 5: Remove the old faucet
Undo the mounting nuts under the sink with a basin wrench, lift the faucet out, and scrape old putty or sealant off the sink deck.
Step 6: Set the new faucet
Fit the gasket or deck plate, or plumber's putty where the guide calls for it, and tighten the mounting hardware from below with the spout facing straight.
Step 7: Attach the spray hose
On a pull-down model, connect the hose to its quick-connect fitting under the sink and clip on the weight where the instructions show.
Step 8: Connect the supply lines
Align each supply line's threads with its valve outlet and tighten the nut by hand until it is watertight, unless your faucet's guide says otherwise.[8]
Step 9: Flush the lines
Take the aerator off, open the shutoffs slowly, run hot and cold water for a minute to clear debris, then screw the aerator back on.
Step 10: Check for leaks
Run the faucet and wipe each connection with a dry paper towel; if a hand-tightened supply nut drips, tighten it an additional quarter of a turn by hand.[8]
Most homeowners can replace a kitchen faucet themselves with hand tools and an afternoon. The job comes down to four things: the shutoff valves under the sink close properly, the new faucet fits the holes in your sink, the new connections match the ones under the sink, and you take your time getting the old faucet out. The steps on this page cover a like-for-like swap on the same sink.
Before you buy the new faucet
Count the holes. Sinks vary here: Moen, for one, sells kitchen sinks with one, two, three or four faucet holes.[6] The new faucet has to cover all of the holes in yours. A single-handle faucet on a three-hole sink needs a deck plate, which many faucets include in the box. A fourth hole can take a side sprayer or a soap dispenser.
Look at the connections. Open the cabinet and see how the water reaches the faucet. Moen faucets typically connect with either flexible supplies with ⅜-inch compression fittings or ½-inch IPS connections, and you may need an adapter to join a new faucet to the supply lines or shutoff valves already there.[3] If you buy new supply lines, measure from the supply stub-out to the faucet's inlet and add a few extra inches.[8] Take a photo to the store so you buy the right parts in one trip.
Buy a lead-free faucet. Federal law prohibits using any plumbing fitting or fixture that is not lead free in plumbing that provides water for human consumption, and under the Safe Drinking Water Act "lead free" means a weighted average of 0.25% lead across the wetted surfaces.[9] Since September 1, 2023, manufacturers and importers have needed lead free certification for the plumbing products the rule covers,[9] so look for that certification on the box, and be wary of a faucet with no packaging or markings.
Expect a gentler flow from a pull-down. Moen makes its kitchen faucets at 2.0 gallons per minute and its pull-out and pull-down models at approximately 1.5 gallons per minute, which it attributes to national conservation laws.[7] If the new faucet feels slower than your old one, that is usually the design, not a fault. Our guide to low water pressure from a new faucet covers the cases where it is a fault.
Gather the tools. Moen's list for a faucet install is Phillips and regular screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench (or a basin wrench for hard-to-reach areas), a flashlight, pliers and thread seal tape, plus plumber's putty and an Allen wrench for some installations.[2] Add a bucket, old towels and something soft to kneel or lie on inside the cabinet.
Does it need a permit?
Usually not for a straight swap. Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code lists, among work that needs no permit: "Replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps in all groups without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems, sanitary drainage systems, or vent systems."[10] Moving the sink or faucet, or adding a line for a filter or ice maker that changes the piping, is different: a permit is required for installations or alterations involving the water supply and distribution system, sanitary drainage system, or vent system.[10]
Two limits on the exemption. The same section says: "Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section that are located in a special flood hazard area."[10] And the exemption does not excuse the work from the code's other requirements,[10] so the new faucet still has to meet code. If your home is in a mapped flood zone, ask your local building department before you start. For the rules on doing your own plumbing in Virginia, see whether you can replace your own fixtures.
Getting the old faucet out
Turn the water off first. Moen's rule: "Any repairs done to a Moen faucet require the water supply to be shut off. Failure to do so could result in flooding or injury."[1] Fixture shutoffs are generally under the sink, and sometimes the only shutoff is the home's main valve, usually found near the water meter.[1] Open the faucet after closing the valves to confirm nothing comes out.
Then be patient. Moen says the most time-consuming, and sometimes challenging, step is removing the old faucet, especially when the water supply connections are corroded.[4] A few habits help:
- Hold the shutoff valve with one wrench while you turn the supply nut with another, so the valve does not twist the pipe behind it.
- Use a basin wrench on the mounting nuts tucked up behind the sink bowl.
- If a nut will not move, a little penetrating oil and some waiting often beat more force.
- Once the faucet is out, clean the sink deck so the new gasket or putty sits on a smooth surface.
Setting and connecting the new faucet
Follow the installation guide that comes with the faucet; mounting hardware differs from model to model. On sealants, Moen explains: "Plumber's putty is used to form a water tight seal between the sink and the faucet and between the sink and the drain."[5] It adds that some models include gaskets, which makes sealant optional, and plumber's putty is not for use on threaded pipe joints or marble surfaces.[5] For supply lines, Oatey says thread sealants are not necessary for installing its supply lines.[8]
Tighten the mounting hardware with the spout facing straight ahead. For the supply lines, Oatey's method is to align the threads with the valve outlet and tighten the nut by hand until it is watertight.[8] Starting each nut by hand also keeps the threads from crossing. If your faucet's installation guide gives a different method for its own lines, follow the guide.
Before you turn the water on, unscrew the aerator from the spout. Open the shutoffs slowly and run hot and cold for a minute to flush out any grit loosened during the work, then put the aerator back.
Checking for leaks
Wipe every joint dry and run the faucet for a few minutes, then touch each connection with a dry paper towel. For a supply nut tightened by hand that way, Oatey's advice is: "If you notice a leak, tighten the nut an additional quarter of a turn by hand"; if the leak persists, take the connection apart and check that the supply line is aligned and the right length.[8] Look again an hour later and the next morning, since a slow drip may only show up overnight.
While you are under there, keep the shutoffs working. Oatey recommends exercising the valve handle annually by moving it between the open and closed positions a few times,[8] which helps them close the next time you need them.
Stop and call a pro if
- A shutoff valve will not close, or leaks at its handle. Replacing a valve generally starts with shutting off the main water valve and draining the pipes, and some connections on copper are soldered.[8]
- There are no shutoffs under the sink, or the pipe moves in the wall when you turn a fitting.
- The new faucet needs a new hole drilled in stone or quartz, or a different supply location.
- You find water damage, soft cabinet floors or mold. Our guide to a leaking pipe under the sink covers what to look for.
- The faucet needs power and there is no outlet under the sink. Adding one is electrical work.
Getting help
If you would rather hand the job off, read what a plumber charges to replace a kitchen faucet, browse faucet and sink pros, or find plumbers in Blacksburg. More guides are in plumbing answers.
Ready to have it done? Describe the faucet job once and licensed local plumbers quote it.
Common questions
- How long does it take to replace a kitchen faucet?
- Plan on an afternoon the first time. Moen says the slowest and sometimes hardest part is removing the old faucet, especially when the supply connections are corroded; putting the new one in with its installation guide is usually straightforward.
- Do I need a permit to replace a kitchen faucet in Virginia?
- Usually not for a straight swap. The Uniform Statewide Building Code exempts replacing plumbing fixtures when the water supply, drainage and vent piping are not altered, though the building official may require a permit for exempted work in a special flood hazard area. Moving the faucet to a new spot or changing the piping does need a permit.
- Should I replace the supply lines too?
- It is cheap insurance when the old lines are worn, kinked or will not fit the new faucet. Many new faucets come with their own lines attached. If you buy separate ones, match the connection at the valve and at the faucet, and choose a length a few inches longer than the gap.
- Do I use plumber's tape on the supply line connections?
- Usually not. Oatey says thread sealants are not necessary for installing its supply lines. Moen describes thread seal tape for threaded pipe joints and plumber's putty for the seal between the sink and the faucet base, and notes that some faucets have gaskets that make sealant optional.
- Why is my new pull-down faucet slower than the old one?
- Often by design. Moen makes its pull-down and pull-out kitchen faucets at about 1.5 gallons per minute, below its standard kitchen faucets at 2.0. If the flow seems far lower than that, check the aerator and the hose screen for debris from the install.
- What if my shutoff valves will not close?
- Do not start the swap. Turn off the main valve to the house and call a plumber to replace the shutoffs, since replacing a valve usually means draining the pipes and sometimes soldering on copper.
Sources
- [1] How To Turn Off The Water Supply To The Faucet, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [2] What tools will I need to install or fix my faucet?, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [3] My existing supply lines will not fit on my new faucet. What can be done to correct this?, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [4] Will it take me long to install a faucet?, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [5] When do I need to use thread seal tape, pipe dome or plumber's putty?, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [6] Sinks: Material, Styles and Mounting, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [7] Kitchen Faucet: Low Flow, Moen. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [8] Oatey 101: Stops and Supply Lines, Oatey. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [9] Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Checked October 26, 2026.
- [10] 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code), Virginia Administrative Code, Virginia General Assembly. Checked October 26, 2026.
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