Replacing a sink mixer tap (kitchen faucet)

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 4/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $15 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 3 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES
BEFORE YOU START
  • You should not be suffering from back / shoulder pain when carrying out this work.  
  • Make sure to close both cold and hot water valves that feed the tap and then let the water flow from the tap until completely drained.
  • Keep at hand a small plastic container and a dry cloth for collecting remaining water in flexible connectors.
  • Remove all objects preventing an easy access below your counter top.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Kitchen faucet (sink mixer tap) replacement detailed pictorial

1- Replacing this tap is easier than you think. 
2- Locate the flexible hoses below the top and make sure to close both cold and hot water valves.
3- Unscrew them with a spanner.
  
4- Now look at the tap hole and find its fixing rod and nut.   
5- Unscrew the rod (screwdriver) or the brass nut (use an adjustable or a size 11 spanner). 
6- Collect the dismantled nut, flange and rubber pad (fixing kit). Eventually the rod.
7- Now remove the old tap. Have the flexible hose nuts pass one by one through the hole. 
8- If you already have elbow valves fitted to the outlets, proceed to step 17. 
9- If not, remove existing fittings using monkey pliers or a spanner. 
10- Now the outlets are ready to receive the elbow valves. 
11- The elbow valves will let you cut-off the water easily next time.  
12- All you need is a roll of Teflon tape. 
13- Roll the tape clockwise until the thread is no more visible. 
14- Start turning the valves with your hand. It should not turn easily (i.e. tape thickness is OK). 
15- Now use your spanner and rotate until it gets so hard. Stop when the valve outlet points up. 
16- Valves are now ready to receive the flexible hoses. 
17- Unpack your new tap which is pre-fitted with new flexible hoses. 
18- Find the new set of fixing rod, nut, flange and rubber pad. 
19- Find the threaded hole inside the bottom of the tap. 
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20- Turn the rod with a screwdriver and tighten well. Fit the ring tap gasket in its groove. 
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21- Now fit the tap in the counter top hole. The flexible hose nuts pass the hole one at a time.  
22- Engage the rubber pad and the flange into the rod and turn the nut in. Tighten with the spanner.
23- The nut now presses the flange onto the counter top with the rubber pad in between.
24- Now try the flexible hoses (Hot to the left) and check if long enough.
 
25- Use a nipple as shown for a short hose and tighten it on the tap with an Allen key.  
26- Now connect the flexible hoses. Do not tighten hard. 1/8 of a turn after contact is enough.  
27- Let the water flow and check for leaks.

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