I Installed My Own Kitchen Sink Faucet and Got Soaked: Here’s What You Should Actually Know

It All Started with a Drip… That Turned Into a Cabinet Flood

At first, I ignored the tiny drip.

Then I started placing bowls under the sink.

Three days later, the cabinet base was warped, and I had one choice:

Fix it myself or pay $150+ for a plumber I didn’t trust.

So I Googled “how to install a kitchen sink faucet.”

Half the tutorials felt like IKEA manuals in Klingon.

This article?

It’s what I wish I had read first — written by a person who has been both soaked and humbled by plumbing.

Can You Install a Faucet Yourself? Yes. Should You? Also Yes (But Don’t Rush It)

If you’ve:

1. Used a wrench before (even once)
2. Watched a few YouTube fails
3. Have decent upper body strength and a healthy respect for water pressure

Then yes, you can do this. Just prepare for a little chaos, a tight crawl space, and maybe a bruised ego.

Tools You’ll Want to Have Before You Even Touch That Sink

1. Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
2. Bucket + old towels (you will get wet)
3. Flashlight or headlamp
4. Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape)
5. Silicone gloves (grip matters)
6. Your new faucet (make sure it matches the hole spacing!)

Optional but sanity-saving:

A helper to hold the faucet steady while you curse under the sink.

Let’s Do This — A Realistic Step-by-Step Faucet Replacement

Step 1: Turn Off the Water

Shut off the hot and cold valves under the sink. Then test it.

Don’t skip this. I did once. It was… wet.

Step 2: Remove the Old Faucet

Expect rust, tight bolts, and lots of awkward angles.

Spray some WD-40 and brace yourself. This is the hardest part.

Step 3: Clean Up the War Zone

Wipe off grime, old sealant, and mystery goo from around the sink holes.

Start fresh — your faucet deserves better.

Step 4: Install the New Faucet

Slide it in from the top, secure it with mounting hardware underneath.

Don’t over-tighten, and make sure it’s centered.

Step 5: Connect Water Supply Lines

Hand-tighten first, then gently wrench it.

Use plumber’s tape on threads if needed.

Step 6: Turn Water Back On & Test

Watch carefully for leaks at all connection points.

A single drip now is better than a cabinet flood later.

Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)

The Emotional Arc of a DIY Sink Faucet Installation

1. Optimism
2. Confusion
3. Swearing under the sink
4. Mild panic
5. Triumph
6. “I will now fix everything in this house myself”

Why I’d Do It Again (With a Towel Nearby)

Doing it myself saved money, sure.

But more than that, it gave me confidence — and a reason to own more tools.

So if your kitchen faucet is dripping, leaking, outdated, or just annoying:

Try fixing it yourself.

Worst case, you call a plumber. Best case?

You become the plumber.