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MarilynW Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 1:53pm | IP Logged
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Our pull out kitchen faucet broke 2 days ago. Today we got plumber quotes for replacement - absolutely ridiculous price $600(
Well we do not have this money and it seems crazy to pay this much.
So..we are going to try and replace it ourselves. One plumber told us it was a simple job - we just need a basin wrench (whatever that is?) and we do not need to replace water lines or anything..
Has anyone done this and can you give me some hints.
We are trying to raise our kids to be more self-sufficient - so I guess we have to start and give the example. Things like this make me so anxious.
Please tell me we can do it...
__________________ Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 2:03pm | IP Logged
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You can do it..
A couple of sites we've found helpful with various repairs.. not sure they'd have sinks.. but if they don't.. definately look around.. there's so much info online you can probably get instructions with pictures to help you along.
http://www.partselect.com
http://repairclinic.com
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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SimplyMom Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 11 2008
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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Really, replacing the faucet is one of the easiest jobs you can do yourself.
It might seem obvious, but when you purchase your new faucet make sure you get the same configuration as your old one. Make sure your water is turned off under the sink before you start and have a bucket handy.
The most difficult thing is getting under and behind the sink itself. I end up doing this because my husband has big hands. The replacement faucet should come with a diagram that explains how to replace it.
__________________ Darcee
SimplyMom from Simply Catholic
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mathmama Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 3:33pm | IP Logged
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You can definitely do this. I did it without a basin wrench, but it was really a pain. I just followed the instructions that came with the faucet. You can just ask the sales guy at Lowe's exactly what you will need (I remember there was some kind of putty stuff needed). But you can definitely do this yourself. And if you are like me, you will see if you can find someone to borrow the wrench from so you don't have to buy that as well Offer a plate of cookies in exchange for use of the wrench. Good luck!!
Beth
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MarilynW Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone for the encouragement. My neighbor has lent me a basin wrench. I got a faucet but bought the wrong one - we had a single hole pull out faucet and there is only a single hole in our granite. I bought a similar one - but it was with 3 holes in. I would so like to get a faucet which is not a pull out - so that I can put a water filter on it- but I am not sure that I will have a choice with the single hole in the granite.
My dh is going to install tomorrow - with moral support from me!
This is a great opportunity to teach our boys too on how to install a faucet!
__________________ Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: June 20 2008 at 8:00pm | IP Logged
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YAY! I can't wait to see pictures of your shiny new faucet on your blog, Marilyn!!!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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MarilynW Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: June 21 2008 at 2:46pm | IP Logged
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We did it! The hard thing was taking the old faucet off - we tried for hours! The basin wrench did not work, pliers did not work. Our neighbor came to the rescue - he had a ratchet with deep sockets (ooh all this new vocabulary and he got the nut off for us. There was a very helpful man in Home Depot too who took an hour and gave me a tutorial on how to install. And..it looks like this is not a pull out - so I may be able to install a water filter to the faucet..just praying no leaks...
I will blog later this weekend
__________________ Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: June 21 2008 at 4:01pm | IP Logged
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Oh YAYYYY!!!!!
Doesn't it feel good to have that accomplished now?!
I'm so glad it worked out, and that you apparently have a very helpful and generous neighbor!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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mathmama Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: June 21 2008 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
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Great job! I knew you could do it. I agree that the hardest part was getting the old faucet off. Dh ended up turning the wrench upside down and using the handles to grip the stubborn nut.
Beth
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