Shiny Faucet Envy

November 29, 2006 4:24 PM

FaucetFilter: I'm in a rental apartment, and my heavy cooking and homebrewing proclivities have me pining for a better kitchen faucet. Do you have any advice for finding, installing (and then when I move out), uninstalling a higher-end sink faucet?

The one I've got just doesn't "rise above" the sink very much, and has that one handle in the middle to control the temp mixture (can't seem to find a pic right now). Of course, after some holiday visits I've developed Severe Faucet Envy while using some higher-end faucets that rise above the mess and do all sorts of other spray-ee, clean-ee stuff.

Dealing with the building maintenance folks isn't an option in this case (sadly).

So I ask you -- do you have any advice for finding, installing (and then when I move out), uninstalling a higher-end sink faucet? I know I should be looking for appliances where all the connections are un-soldered, and where all the holes match up in the right places. Has anyone here done this before? Tips for finding a faucet that's easy to retro-fit once I need to move out (probably a year or more from now)? How about preserving the old faucet during dis-assembly so it doesn't get all hosed up?

posted by garfy3 to home & garden (9 comments total)

The holes have standard patterns, so you won't need to worry about that. I went through a similar thing a few years ago and decided that since my rent-controlled apartment hadn't had its rent raised in several years that I'd already karmically banked the cost of piecemeal upgrades such as this. I spent $100 so I could have something with a higher spout as well as one of those spray gun things, and I'm about ready to do it again! I just went to a local biggish hardware store and picked something out and it was very easy to install.
posted by rhizome at 5:27 PM on November 29, 2006

Check this out. I would recommend you buy a Basin Wrench, it makes the job a lot easier.
I 2nd rhizome; worth the effort, and not too hard. Probably somebody at that biggish hardware store would show you what you don't know.
posted by dkippe at 7:05 PM on November 29, 2006

Make sure you can turn off the water supply yourself.
posted by smackfu at 8:39 PM on November 29, 2006

Buying the faucet is simple. Measure the distance between the centers of the hot and cold water intakes. It's probably 4 inches. The sizes are quite standard, Go to Home Depot or the like and pick the one you want.

To install it, turn off the water supply valves which are sure to be under the kitchen sink. Remove the nuts with a wrench (a basin wrench as mentioned may be needed) remove the old faucet. Install the new one, reattach the water lines, tighten the nuts and presto! The new faucet is sure to come with complete instructions.
posted by Neiltupper at 12:01 AM on November 30, 2006

As for finding a faucet, I'd suggest visiting a kitchen showroom, to get your hands on the faucets and see what you like.

I also know a "secret" Home Depot's Pegasus faucets are from a variety of high end faucet manufacturers rebranded and sold at a much lower price. I couldn't tell you which ones are which though.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:05 AM on November 30, 2006

Addendum: here is a showroom near you: http://www.weaverhardware.com/
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:06 AM on November 30, 2006

I'm not sure I'm clear on why you want to remove said new faucet. Is it because you think the landlord will be unhappy that you upgraded his/her kitchen or that you want to take it with you?
posted by Pollomacho at 1:28 AM on November 30, 2006

Pollomacho: There's a clause in my lease about not removing or replacing any fixtures in the unit, and the entire sink was new when I moved in. Relations with the property people seem a bit legalistic, so I'm just looking to be careful.

Worst case scenario, I buy a fancy new thing, leave it here when I move, and then get billed for "replacing original faucet." A loss of both a good piece of hardware and some cash. Best case, I swap the new fancy one out with the old one before I move, reinstall in new digs, rinse and repeat... I tend to see the glass as half-full-of-insectiside, hence the question.

Thanks for the key tips everybody!
posted by garfy3 at 4:50 AM on November 30, 2006

Unless your replacement faucet sticks out like a sore thumb, chances are it would never get noticed when you move out. I replaced the kitchen sink faucet in our home in under an hour. It's a very straight forward job.

One thing you might do is pull the old facuet first and take it with you to the store to make sure that the fittings will all match. 99% chance they will since the sink is newish, but why invite a second trip to a hardware store?
posted by plinth at 5:32 AM on November 30, 2006