A built in soap dispenser is a perfect complement to a new sink and faucet

Today it is common practice to install a dish or hand soap dispenser in the top of the kitchen sink. This is a matter of practicality as well as one of functional beauty. Soap dispensers, like kitchen sink faucets, have entered an era of ornate beauty. While that part of the dispenser that is hidden under the sink is plain plastic or metal, the mount ring or escutcheon and dispenser pump itself above the sink can be crafted in a bewildering array of styles. Fortunately, installing the soap dispenser is a very simple process. The most important aspect is to make sure that you have a sink with enough holes in it to accommodate a dispenser. Traditionally, a four hole sink is used for the purpose.

Preparation

Some sinks that are already installed have a hole cover in place that covers up the hole you would use for the soap dispenser. If so, from under the sink, unscrew the mount clamp that holds the cover in place. Slide the cover aside and lift it free of the sink.

Installing the soap dispenser

1. Remove the pump assembly and mount ring or escutcheon from the soap dispenser bottle.
2. Separate the pump itself from the mount ring or escutcheon.
3. Slide the gasket supplied over the mount ring stem or apply a bead of plumber’s putty to the underside of the mount ring.
4. Have someone hold the mount ring centered in the hole of the sink from on top.
5. From underneath the sink, screw the mount ring nut on the stem of the mount ring and tighten it until the bottom edge of the mount ring meets the top of the sink. A basin wrench, available at most hardware and home center stores, works best for this.
6. From inside the sink cabinet, screw the soap dispenser bottle on to the bottom of the mount ring.
7. Clean all the excess plumber’s putty off from the mount ring.
8. Fill the soap dispenser bottle with the detergent or hand soap of your choice.
9. Drop the pump assembly inside the mount ring and you are ready to use your new soap dispenser.

Tips

Do not use a caulking compound of any sort to install the soap dispenser mount ring or you will almost certainly wind up with a permanent installation.

The mount ring and the bottle may be made of plastic so be very careful not to over tighten them or they will break.

There are an almost endless number of kitchen sink faucets on the market today. And their designs are almost as limitless. Fortunately, with a few model exceptions, most kitchen sink faucets follow a fairly standard procedure for removal and replacement. Some faucets require reworking of the plumbing inside the cabinet but this is usually minor.

Preparation

A new kitchen faucet is just the thing to complete a kitchen remodel

1. Gather a bucket and some rags to catch water.
2. Turn off the water at the stops or valves under the sink. If they are old, corroded, or difficult to turn, it is best to shut off the water at the main shut off. You should also shut off the water at the hot water heater.

Removing the old faucet

1. Disconnect the hot and cold water lines at the valves under the sink. Hold the valve with one wrench while you loosen the nut with another to keep from damaging the valve or piping.
2. If your old faucet was the type with the pull out spray spout, remove the weight on the hose under the sink, disconnect the end of the hose that connects to the faucet body and pull the spout/hose assembly free of the faucet.
3. Remove the faucet mount nuts and crush washers on the bottom side of the sink.
4. Pull the old faucet out of the sink. Remove the old gasket and clean the corresponding sink surface thoroughly.

Installing the new faucet

1. Install the new gasket on the base of the new faucet.
2. Place the new faucet mount bolts or water line connectors through the holes in the sink.
3. Install washers and nuts on the mount bolts or faucet base and tighten them securely. Make certain the faucet is properly centered on the faucet ledge of the sink.
4. If you are installing a pull out spout type faucet, feed the spout hose through the faucet body and connect it underneath with the supplied gasket but no Teflon thread or pipe joint compound.
5. Place the split weight at the base of the spout hose loop.
6. Sliding the compression nuts and ferrules respectively on the water lines, connect the water lines to the shut off valves or angle stops under the sink. Hold the tubing straight in the stop while you tighten the nut snugly. Once again, do not use Teflon tape or pipe joint compound on this joint. You can use a small amount of a light oil like mineral oil or machine oil on the joint if you think it needs some lubrication.
7. If your faucet has a separate spray, now is the time to install the spray escutcheon and spray hose. Use plumber’s putty on the escutcheon and no Teflon tape or pipe joint compound on the other end.
8. Remove the faucet aerator and flush the hot and cold water lines out well, then reinstall the faucet aerator.

Tips

If your old faucet has been in place for many years, it may be corroded in place. You can purchase a faucet removal tool at some hardware and home centers that will help you cut off the faucet mount bolts or nuts under the sink. It is operated with a ratchet and socket extension.

Do not use any type of caulking compound when installing the faucet. Use a good quality plumber’s putty instead.