Hey Wendy:
You can definitely handle this installation and like you've already found there are plenty of resources online that can walk you through the process.

It is more difficult to install a new faucet with the sink already in place but because you've got plenty of room to maneuver under the sink you'll be fine. You should definitely purchase a basin wrench that will help you install the mounting nuts and extends your reach into the narrow confines of the wall and the sink.

Good luck

I recently switched out all the faucets in an apartment I sold. The sinks were fairly easy. The shower was an ordeal.

You want to be sure that your new model faucet is the same "style" as your old model. Was your old model a single all-in-one unit like the one you're showing?

I so, the project should take about 20 minutes.

Wendy,I consider myself pretty handy but not a pro.I recently changed out the faucet in my rental bathroom sink. It was surprisingly easy, though a bit messy with the gunk from around the fittings. I bought this special angled wrench at the suggestion of the guy at the hardware store to undo the bolts under the sink, but didn't need it at all. Sounds like you have room under yours too, so don't bother buying one. Good luck.

Easy. My wife installed the faucets in a house we built. First, consider the brand. Ceramic internals will last a lot longer, be smoother operating, etc.

You need to be able to shut the water off securely - not just at the location of the faucet but for your whole place. This is to preclude damage from a broken pipe. If the plumbing is old the pipes BEFORE the faucet may break. Be prepared - i.e. have the water shut off for all of your plumbing. Have the tools ready. Most plumbing is brass and soft ... and stuck. Have EVERYTHING the package shows you will need right there in front of you. Then follow the directions. If the video is free, watch it. The written directions are usually enough IF you are prepared (like a good scout).

If you are about it, consider replacing the "U" joints, etc. at the same time ... just in case. Those things collect a lot of crap and rust/deteriorate from the inside out sometimes.

Dispose of the refuse properly/recycle the metal parts, etc.

Remember that all plumbers need to know to make as much money as doctors is that shit flows downhill.

Have Fun!

You can do it. Just do it carefully. Do it right.
Now git to it and do it.

Changing out faucets is a remarkably simple process. If I were you, I would definitely stick with the same maker, as they tend to use the same base template for most faucets (the working parts, anyway!). Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Many manufacturers have websites with DIY tips on them. You might check into that as well.

And, as always, take your time!! Do not start a project like this without giving yourself adequate time to complete it. Faucets, especially, are no rush order. Make sure you have it done, done right, and when you go to test it, test it -first- on low pressure (as in, don't turn the faucet on very high) and then gently increase the flow.

Good luck!

This is just me talkin', and I've never undertaken something like this alone, but I helped my dad change out my mom's dispose-all in her sink AND the hot water dispenser, but besides making sure that you turn off the water, also you should (if you can) make sure that you do this during business hours of the store that you get the stuff from, so if there's some little piece of thing that you need you can go there right then, instead of being without a sink all night or something.

Does anyone feel like they're held back from doing tasks such as changing faucets in a rental? I've been thinking about redoing the entire bathroom because it's really gross. But I'm not sure if I want to benefit my landlord by making the improvements. Thoughts?

Lori -- Landlords don't necessarily want tenants making changes, due to concerns about preserving the value of the property. Ours doesn't. Given some of the stories I've heard about former tenants here, I see the point.

If you clear the changes with the landlord, they will sometimes offer to split costs. So if you're a long-term tenant and expect your rent to stay about where it is (whether due to rent control or to good relations with the landlord), cosmetic improvements can turn out to be a pretty good deal for you.

Once you start messing with structure and major fixtures, I'd look very closely at the numbers before tackling it in a rental. You have to make some decisions about whether you're better off spending the money or just renting a place you like better.

Lori, My landlord (not even a person, my landcorporation is more appropriate) allows no improvements to the apartments -- no painting, updating of fixtures, no nailholes without permission (ok, I violated that one the first day we were here). All of this is technically a violation of our lease. We're in a building where they are raising the rents by 30% for incoming tenants, and they are "encouraging" turnover. I'm probably just being paranoid, but after moving four times in five years, I don't want to leave until I choose to, so despite serious urges brought on by this site, I resist painting, wallpapering, replacing fixtures, etc.

Thanks for the responses! I'm sorry wendy for stealing the thread from you!

Shelby--do you mean you'll be evicted if your landcorp finds out that you painted, etc.? I just painted my apartment even though I'm not supposed to. I just thought I'd paint it white when I move. Uh oh.

Lori, I honestly don't know what would actually happen. Don't take my case as typical. The lease is frightenly clear that these improvements would void the agreement, but frankly I don't know if eviction under the circumstances would be legal. Any real estate lawyers out there? I think the laws on such things as tenants rights vary dramatically state-to-state. The situation here is that our crazily low rent on a lovely '40s garden apartment, would shoot into a prohibitively high range if we somehow voided our current agreement. I've always been very free and easy with decorating and changing apartments, and never run into any problems. The usual painting when we moved worked just fine. Just an odd situation here. This place went from being a family-owned set of buildings with very laid back management (our first lease was 2 pages long) to this draconian style where our sweet maintanance guys are encouraged to act as the eyes of big brother and the lease is 35 pages long. Everything else is so great though, that not adding substantive improvements is worth it for now. Shouldn't be seen as emblamatic of most landlords or landcorps.

Shelby and Lori,

My apartment building was the same way - no improvements! But after living there for a year, I went to my landlord and said, "Look. I love it here, I pay my rent on time, if I sign an agreement that says I will return the apartment to its original condition, can I pleasepleasePLEASE paint?"

Having a unit unrented takes money out of their pockets. As long as you can make the rent and do it on time, they generally don't mind signing such an agreement with you.

It's totally worth looking into :)

Wendy:

Wendy:

Swimming against the tide here but all of my DIY plumbing experiences have resulted either a weekend of no water or an after-hours plumbering fee. I have had the “pulling the string” experience. One example, the shut offs at the sink would not work and when finally loosened, the packing in the valves was compromised… leading, eventually, to the galvanized/copper issue. I shudder to think of it.

I’m not unhandy, I can wire a light or put in an outlet (if I must), but plumbing escapes me. I’m not trying to discourage you here – I think you should do it if you think you can. And you can. Just wanted to let you know it doesn’t always go without a hitch for everyone. In addition to all the great advice above, make sure you have the number of a good plumber and work when he or she can come without an after hours fee.

Good luck! I know you can do it!

Wendy -- some advice my plumber father gave me when I was undertaking my first project on my own. Clean up as you go and plan for accidents. The less clutter you can have around as you work the faster and better the work will go. Keep your tools (and an emergency plumber's number) within easy reach. And for undersink work, he uses a waterproof mat that offers some cushion to his back and catches drips and debris. A DIY version would be a couple towels taped down with duct tape. best of luck!

Oh and another vote for doing this during business hours, if you DO have to call in help, best not to have to pay nighttime rates.

And to Dan Waldhoff -- good plumbing is an art.

i might be wrong here, but my experience in new york tells me that it's not so much that landlords are against tenant 'improvements' because they'll lessen property values, but that tenants are aware that landlords are allowed to raise rents if they can prove the building has been 'improved'. even if the current tenant is the one doing the improving.

every rental agreement i've had so far has allowed for small-scale cosmetic changes as long as they were reversed before moving out. i've had friends who, not so worried about increases, got rebates or reimbursals for renovating their places.

so, lori, i dunno. i'm in the same place, really. in an ideal world i'd gut the bathroom and start over, but that would give my landlord license to do all manner of evil things. i don't think switching out a faucet would be that big a deal. it's not like you're retiling or ripping out the tub.

Hey I'm a big advocate of DIY but would caution that plumbing jobs, as has been said by some above, tend to have more unwanted surprises than most DIY jobs.

Using the same brand and general style should make the job easier when it comes to connecting to the supply pipes but the original installer may have cut the pipes on the faucet instead of the supply pipes. In which case you will either have to do the same and use a flanging tool on the cut end, or use flexible lines either in between or to replace the supply pipes above the stop valve.

Measure the pipes coming out of the bottom of the faucet and then measure the pipes for the new faucets to ensure that they are identical in length. If they are then you can follow the on line instructions as is.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I bought the new faucet a couple of weeks ago, but it's just been sitting on my desk in the box. I'm going to think long and hard about everything you've said and then decide whether to go for it or leave it to the plumber.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

I think the changes-to-a-rental thing really depends upon the individual situation. I have usually had apartments where I have made various improvements and it was fine with the landlord/landlady (they were always people, not corporations). But on the other hand, we have friends who rented out their personal house for a year while out of the country and the tenants have made a lot of horrifying changes and bad paint jobs to what is really our friends' home, despite changes being forbidden in the rental agreement. So it all depends...