Replacing an RV faucet looks intimidating until you do it once. Then you realize it's about a 30-minute job with two tools, and you wish you'd done it years ago.
Here's the complete walkthrough, plus the parts most people forget to buy.
Before You Start: What Faucet Do You Need?
RV faucets come in a few standard mounting configurations. Open the cabinet under your sink, look at the back of the existing faucet, and identify which of these you have:
- 8-inch widespread (kitchen): three holes spaced 8 inches apart — one center, two outer
- 4-inch centerset (bathroom): three holes spaced 4 inches apart, often on a single deck plate
- Single-hole: one hole, common on bar sinks and modern bathroom sinks
Match the new faucet's mounting type to what you have. All our RV kitchen faucets and bathroom faucets list mounting type in the product specs.
What You'll Need
Tools:
- Basin wrench (the awkward one that reaches up into the cabinet)
- Adjustable wrench or channel locks
- Bucket and a towel
- Flashlight or headlamp
Parts (sold separately, often forgotten):
- New supply lines (the old ones are usually too short or wrong-sized)
- Plumber's tape (Teflon tape)
- Plumber's putty or silicone (for sealing the base if your new faucet doesn't include a gasket)
Step 1: Turn Off the Water
Two ways to do this:
- Shut off the shutoff valves under the sink (if you have them)
- Turn off the pump and disconnect from city water at the inlet
Open the faucet handle to release any remaining pressure. Have the bucket and towel ready — some water will always come out.
Step 2: Disconnect the Supply Lines
Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the hot and cold supply line nuts where they connect to the faucet shanks. Catch the dribble in the bucket. Disconnect the lines from the shutoffs too if you're replacing them.
Step 3: Remove the Mounting Nuts
This is where the basin wrench earns its keep. Reach up behind the faucet from inside the cabinet and unscrew the plastic or metal nuts holding the faucet to the sink. Some require a quarter-turn and lift; others need a full unthread. Watch the existing faucet's shanks come free from above.
Step 4: Lift Out the Old Faucet
Pull it straight up. Clean the mounting holes thoroughly — old plumber's putty, sealant, and mineral deposits should all come off. A scrub pad and warm water finish the job.
Step 5: Install the New Faucet
Drop the new faucet into the mounting holes from above. If it includes a base gasket, you're done with sealing. If not, apply a thin bead of plumber's putty or silicone around the base before setting it down.
From under the cabinet, thread on the mounting nuts and tighten with the basin wrench. Don't overtighten — firm and even is the goal, not crushed.
Step 6: Connect Supply Lines
Wrap Teflon tape clockwise around the threads of each faucet shank (two or three turns). Thread the supply lines on hand-tight, then snug them with the wrench — another quarter to half turn past hand-tight.
Connect the other ends to the shutoffs (or city water inlet, depending on your setup).
Step 7: Test for Leaks
Turn the water back on slowly. Open the faucet on cold first, then hot, then both. Check under the sink with the flashlight for any drips. Tighten gently if you see anything; back off and re-tape if a connection won't seal.
Run hot and cold for 30 seconds each. Check again. If still dry, you're done.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping new supply lines. Old lines have failed once already. Replace them while you're in there.
- Overtightening. RV faucets have plastic threads. Snug + quarter turn is the rule.
- Forgetting Teflon tape. Cheap insurance against drips.
- Not testing in both directions. Some leaks only show on hot or cold, not both.
How Long This Actually Takes
First-timers: 45 minutes to an hour. Second time you do one: 25 minutes. The hardest part is the basin wrench in a tight cabinet, and even that gets easier with practice.
Need help picking the right faucet for your sink? Email us a photo of the underside of your current faucet to sales@rvfaucet.com and we'll point you to the right SKU. Browse our full faucet selection, all U.S.-stocked with two-day delivery.