Convert Two Handle Faucet To Single Handle

Need to convert two handle faucet to single handle?

Thankfully, replacing a two handled-faucet with a single-handled faucet isn’t too difficult for an experienced plumber. But can you do it on your own?

Here we come.

Although based on the style of the sink, the converting process may vary a little bit; it’s still easy if you know-how. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide will help you a lot on your DIY project to affordably upgrading your faucet.

This guideline covers the process of converting two handle kitchen faucet to single handle. But, no matter your project involves bathroom or kitchen faucet replacing, this post will help you a lot.

To learn the basic steps of removing your old two- handle faucet and installing single-handle faucet instead, read along!

Table of Contents

How to Convert Two Handle Faucet to Single Handle- Details But Easy To Follow Guidelines

For your easy understanding, we’ve divided this single handle kitchen faucet installation or replacement guideline into two parts.

Part 1: Removing the old two-handled faucet

Part 2: Installing the single handle faucet

You may face trouble removing old kitchen faucet that might slow you down. For this, we’ve added here the OBSTACLES that you may face and their SOLUTIONS. Not only that, the added TIPS will also help you to make your job easier.

You’ll Need

Tools

For tackling this DIY project, make sure you have all the following tools and supplies.

Other supplies

You’ll need these to catch any water.

You may need to crawl into the cabinet and do some of the jobs on your back, so a pillow will make lying across the surface and the job easier to bear.

If you’re going to replace a kitchen sink faucet that has a deep cabinet, you may need to use the flashlight for better visibility inside the cabinet.

Safety Gear

Part 1: Removal of old two-handled faucet

Step 1: Get started

Clear out all the supplies and products from the cabinet under the sink.

Inspect if there is an electrical outlet under the sink. If any, for safety, turn off the power line before you start.

Step 2: Wear safety glasses

You may need to work upside down under the sink. So, to protect your eyes from falling dust and debris, don’t forget to wear safety glasses.

Step 3: Turn the hot and cold water supply valves off

Reach in the cabinet and shut the valves off by turning them clockwise. Based on the type of valve, this may take a quarter turn to several turns until the water supply is completely off.

** If no stop valve is already installed, you have to turn off your home’s main water supply valve where the water line enters the house.

Tips 1

Installing stop valves under the sink is convenient as it’ll help you turn off the water supply easily in the future.

Obstacle-1 & Solution

Have difficulty to turn the valves?

Old valves that haven’t been used for a long time may be tough to turn. If so, use a pair of pliers or a rag to improve the grip.

Step 4: Disconnect the cold- and hot water supply lines

In general, with threaded nut both the hot and cold water supply line is connected to the corresponding valve. Turn each nut anticlockwise to loosen it by using the adjustable wrench and remove it.

During loosen the supply lines, make sure you stabilize the water pipe.Otherwise, you might need to compromise any connection behind the cabinet.

After disconnecting one supply line, repeat this step for the other one.

Tips 2

It’s a good idea to have a deep bowl or pan ready to collect the water that may drain out from the detached supply lines.

Obstacle-2 & Solution

Does water drip from the valve, even though the faucet handle is turned completely off?

The valve is faulty. To solve this, shut off the entire house water supply point and replace the defective valve.

Step 5: Find and remove the old faucet connections

If your old faucet is a two handle center set, its supply lines will be connected directly to the two valves (hot and cold). To take out the old supply line connection, you’ll need to remove the mounting nut securing the faucet. Unscrew the supply line connection, , and them remove them.

If it’s kitchen faucet, it may feature a diverter that has a separate supply line connected between the sprayer and the spout. Detach the sprayer hose from the assembly.

Step 6: Disconnect all of the supply lines under the sink

The space under the sink is usually narrow and dark. So, you may find difficulties in gaining the required leverage while removing the connections in this tight space. However, a basin wrench will make this job easier.

This tool features a ratching head with teeth specially designed to grip hard to reach nuts. Moreover, the 90- degrees pivoting handle of basin wrench allows you to turn it from below.

You may also need to use the flashlight to illuminate this space.

By using a basin wrench unscrew and remove the connecting nuts that connect the supply lines to the valves.

If you no need to use your old faucet in future, by using a tubing or pipe cutter you can cut the line.

Step 7: Remove the mounting hardware & Take out the old two-handled faucet

You’ll find mounting hardware/ nuts connecting your old faucet to the underside of the cabinet. If your old one is a two-handled center set faucet, you’ll find the mounting hardware/ nut on the valve bodies.

Remove these mounting hardware and lift out the old faucet. If there is any caulk seal, you may require applying pressure to break it.

Clean the sink surface area thoroughly around the sink with the recommended sink cleaner before installing the new faucet.

Obstacle-3 & Solution

Rusted or difficulties in removing any nuts of mounting hardware?

Then, penetrating oil like PB Blaster will be helpful.

Apply this oil to loosen the nuts. And wait until it soaks in. It may take several minutes to hours for the oil to work.

It may require applying more for getting the nuts off.

Step 8: Check how many holes your existing sink uses

With your old faucet removed, make a note of the number of holes in the sink.

Your old two-handled kitchen faucet may install over three to four holes. A two handle center set faucet features separate hot and cold handles connected to the base. The fourth hole is useful to set up a soap dispenser or sprayer.

Step 9: Choose the right single handle faucet

If you’re going updating a stylish center set single handle faucet, you’ll find the handles and spout are all part of one single unit. That means, you’ll require only one hole to install it.

So, what about the other two holes?

No worry!

You’ll need a separate base plate called ESCUTCHEON PLATE (sold separately or may come with the new single handle faucet) to cover up the unused holes.

Part 2: The Installation of a Single Handle Faucet

So, how to install single hole faucet three hole sink? Or how to install a single hole kitchen faucet with sprayer?

This part of our post will explain the step-by-step guidelines for installing a single-handle center set faucet.

The two supply lines of hot and cold water of this single-handled faucet are built directly into the faucet. Of course, this feature may vary depending on the style of the faucet. It also comes with a diverter for side sprayer connection.

Step 1: Read the manual

The first thing you should do is refer to the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the proper faucet assembly.

Step 2: Assemble the new faucet

For the faucet that we’re going to install, we need to place a FAUCET GASKET onto the spout base. Slide the SPOUT BASE over the supply lines and onto the faucet body.

Make sure all the components fit together correctly.

Step 3: Set the faucet hole cover

How to change two taps into one, if theold faucet has three holes (two holes for hot and cold taps)?

Simple!

Use the faucet hole cover (called escutcheon plate) to cover up these two unsued holes. If the cover comes with a gasket, use it to seal the gap between the countertop and the escutcheon plate.

So, how to install sink hole cover?

Well, first set the gasket onto the bottom side of the faucet hole cover plate.

Then, slide this plate over the supply tubes and on to the shank of the faucet.

Now, place your faucet with escutcheon plate onto the mounting surface of the sink so that the plate covers the first and third holes.

Step 4: Set the faucet

Insert and feed the supply lines and connectors into the center hole. Make sure that the faucet seat on the surface maintaining gasket lines up correctly.

Step 5: Go below deck for the remainder of the installation

Mounting hardware may differ from the faucet model to model. However, the mounting hardware of a single-handled faucet usually connects to the shank below the deck.

The faucet that we’re going to install also comes with a washer and a mounting nut with three screws. If your model also has these, first screw the nut all the way up below the surface. Then tighten down the mounting screws until the faucet sits rest tightly.

It’s helpful to have a helping hand to hold the faucet to make sure it’s lined up properly on the sink surface.

Step 6: Connect the hot and cold water supply tubes to the faucet

Generally, a single handle faucet comes with cold and hot valves as part of the spout assembly. However, some models may have built-in flexible supply tubes.

The built-in supply tubes/ lines come labeled as cold and hot. In case of built-in supply tubes, you’ll only require connecting these to the corresponding supply valves.

If the valves have threaded nuts, it’ll require connecting your own supply lines.

Step 7: Connect the other end of supply valves

So, how to connect faucet supply lines?

With the cold and hot water supply lines attached to your faucet, you’ll next connect the other end of the corresponding water supply valve coming out of the wall.

Wrap each of the threads of the supply valve coming out of the wall with Teflon tape. Attach the cold water supply line to the cold water supply valve, which is typically on the right in most homes. By using an adjustable wrench screw on and tighten each nut.

Repeat this step to attach another supply line of the faucet to the hot water valve.

Step 8: Install the side sprayer

Your single handle faucet may come with or without a side sprayer. You can use the fourth outside hole to install a separate side sprayer.

The sprayer hose comes with rubber gasket placed onto the shank. Feed the new sprayer hose guide down through the fourth sinkhole.

Go under the sink and screw the retaining nut onto the shank. Have someone to hold the sprayer hose guide from above when you tighten it down.

Note that, one end of the hose comes attached to the sprayer head. Next, feed the hose down through the sprayer hose guide.

Connect the other edge of the sprayer hose to the diverter.

*** Faucet may feature slide or snap connector that allows quick attachment of the end of the sprayer hose to the diverter. However, this feature may vary based on the model. So, refer to the owner’s manual of your faucet’s model for specific instructions.

Step 9: Turn the water supply on to make sure the faucet connections are leak-free

Turn the hot and cold supply valves on to test out the operation of the sprayer and faucet.

Check to make sure there is no leak at the valve connections.

Tips 3

If you detect slight drip, tighten the connections by using a wrench. Avoid over-tightening.

If it still drips, turn off the water supply valves. Then unscrew the nut and disconnect the supply line. Add more layer of Teflon tape around the threads.

Then, reconnect the supply line, tighten the nut and turn the water supply back on.

Step 10: Flush the line to remove any debris

First, remove the aerator from the shaft of the faucet. You can do this by hand or using the tool that comes with the faucet.

Turn the handle of the faucet on full blast. Flush the faucet for a while.

Then, turn off the handle and reinstall the aerator.

Congratulations!

You have successfully replaced two handle faucet with single handle!

FAQ about Faucet Replacement

Is It Possible To Use A Kitchen Faucet In The Bathroom?

In fact, no design rule will prohibit you from using a kitchen faucet in the bathroom. If your kitchen faucet physically matches to your bathroom sink, you can use it.

Will any faucet fit on to my sink?

Not necessarily.

Every sink faucet (bathroom or kitchen) won’t be compatible with every sink. The perfect fit depends on many factors, including the number of holes and the distance between the holes.

Does under mount kitchen sink come with faucet holes?

Undermount kitchen or bar sink requires a custom size hole to be cut into the countertop before installing it. Hence, most undermount sink doesn’t come with pre-drilled holes for the faucet.

Conclusion

Hope, you’ve found this step-by-step guideline easy for replacing two handle faucet with single handle one.

Remember!

Only regular and proper cleaning of your faucet will give you worry-free use years after years.