Inside the woman cave part 2 - Replacing kitchen sink and faucet

[sunsetpizza]

My p.o.s faucet finally ate it tonight. It's a damn cheap replacement too. So now I'll be on my 3rd one. I'm getting something good this time.

It sucks.... that the hose sprung a leak and damn - it shot water everywhere. It was all over the cabinets, curtains, me, the leather furniture in the family room even... I guess I have something to do tomorrow :rolleyes: I hate plumbing.

Anybody got any recommendations for a new one?

update: I moved it to this forum since the project has taken on a life of it's own - enjoy - learn.....

[JumperJeff]

I've always liked Moen, but in our new house we have Price Pfister (or something like that). They have cheap stuff and good stuff, and our faucets are pretty nice. I'd recommend either.

[Calgary Dave]

Koehler, Moen, Grohe, pfister...all good. its like saying which is better..Ford, GM or Chrysler. they all have their cheap-ass models and they all have their top of the line products.

[Quads]

Delta.

[Me2hunter]

I replaced our faucet with http://unclutterer.com/wp-content/uploads/mt/070928-soap.jpg

the water spout pulls out and is a sprayer and where there old sprayer mounted in the sink next to the faucet, I put in a soap dispenser which came with the new faucet.

[guitfiddler]

I remodeled everything a few years ago and went with Pfister for the baths and kitchen, the cartridge went out in the kitchen faucet but when I called them the sent out a replacement part with out any hassle.

If you are not too picky, when you go to HD or Lowes they usually have a table set up with closeouts you can snag a pretty good deal on.

[MisterShark]

I have this one and have had to get Price Pfister to send me a replacement sprayer handle twice now due to a weak (and eventually leaky) center weld point:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41blK8vWlOL._SL500_AA280_.jpg (http://www.pricepfister.com/kitchen/Product/026-4NYY.aspx#)

Nice to look at but I can't recommend it with that track record.

[Blake]

Go hardcore

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90060551

[sunsetpizza]

I went with this:

Delta - Leland - oil rubbed bronze finish

http://imageserve.deltafaucet.com/is/image/DeltaDynamicWeb/canvas.tif?anchor=0,0&crop=0,336,3200,2516&layer=20&origin=0,0&src=DeltaDynamicWeb/base1/978-RBSD-DST-B1.tif&pos=592,440&layer=comp&op_usm=1,1,0,0&fmt=jpeg,rgb&maskUse=invert&bgc=184,184,184&wid=360&hei=228&qlt=80

http://imageserve.deltafaucet.com/is/image/DeltaDynamicWeb/canvas.tif?anchor=0,0&crop=0,336,3200,2516&layer=20&origin=0,0&src=DeltaDynamicWeb/base1/978-RBSD-DST-B1.tif&pos=592,440&layer=comp&op_usm=1,1,0,0&fmt=jpeg,rgb&maskUse=invert&bgc=184,184,184&wid=360&hei=228&qlt=80

It was one of the few that I could find in stock and of "better" quality. I'm not going cheap again - I paid $300 for it. Went to a "Home Expo" store that is closing so it was 10%! off.

Went to install it though and the hot water valve won't shut off. :mad:
Project is on hold till morning when I can shut off the house water and change the f'ing valve and faucet.

You can call this thread - "sequel to T's garage door opener saga." :(

[Quads]

Fucking Delta POS.
Who's the asshole that recommended them?

Take / return it to HD, they should take it back if you need an exchange and they have one in stock.

[sunsetpizza]

Yeah home expo is "all sales final".

BTW - I found that faucet before I saw your idea. I won't hold you accountable. probably.

[Screw]

How is it no one has mentioned Kohler?

The rule in our house is: "If it ain't Kohler, it's crap". Far and away the best stuff out there.

-Screw

[JCinPA]

I replaced our faucet with http://unclutterer.com/wp-content/uploads/mt/070928-soap.jpg

the water spout pulls out and is a sprayer and where there old sprayer mounted in the sink next to the faucet, I put in a soap dispenser which came with the new faucet.

Me2, I think I want to do the same thing. Our Moen is leaking a bit and I like that whole setup.

What brand is that? How long have you had it? If not very long, what's your impression of the durability?

Thanks!

[Me2hunter]

Me2, I think I want to do the same thing. Our Moen is leaking a bit and I like that whole setup.

What brand is that? How long have you had it? If not very long, what's your impression of the durability?

Thanks!

I put it in probably 2 years ago and haven't had any problems at all with it. The brand we bought was a kohler and frankly the only reason I got that was because I like the idea of a soap dispenser. But after installing it, the handiness of the pull out sprayer is very effective and what I really like about it.

[Moddy]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9hTteyEKWNo&feature=PlayList&p=35347CF4F99AC13F&playnext=1&index=2

[sunsetpizza]

UPDATE!!!

this FUCKING SUCKS!!!

Heading out for a new sink now. :mad: Old one looks like shit and I'm NOT doing this twice. Might even get a new garbage disposal and be done..... shit....

later....

[Quads]

This spot reserved for Sunsets next post:

THIS FUCKING SUCKS.

GOD DAMN TILE COUNTER TOPS. HEADING OUT FOR GRANITE NOW.

[Me2hunter]

This spot reserved for Sunsets next post:

THIS FUCKING SUCKS.

GOD DAMN TILE COUNTER TOPS. HEADING OUT FOR GRANITE NOW.

That's my next project.

[MsprinM]

That's my next project.


Check your stone yard for in state or local granite. It usually is pretty darn close to the imported stuff that they try to push on you and is often a great deal cheaper. It also supports your state economy a little bit.

[Oz]

Sorry, too late by the sounds of it. You need a good faucet and sink - do not go to HD or Lowes - they have decent stuff but not the good stuff.

Go to your local plumbing supply house (if they have a showroom for contractors) and look at their stuff. Quality of supply houses are better than the big box stores. I don't buy stuff from HD or Lowes when it comes to fixtures that you want to last. I've had way too many problems in the past - and it's a bitch to replace every year or sooner.

Good luck.

[Quads]

Sorry, too late by the sounds of it. You need a good faucet and sink - do not go to HD or Lowes - they have decent stuff but not the good stuff.

Go to your local plumbing supply house (if they have a showroom for contractors) and look at their stuff. Quality of supply houses are better than the big box stores. I don't buy stuff from HD or Lowes when it comes to fixtures that you want to last. I've had way too many problems in the past - and it's a bitch to replace every year or sooner.

Good luck.

May as well check out granite while you're there and save yourself a 5th trip.

[Me2hunter]

Check your stone yard for in state or local granite. It usually is pretty darn close to the imported stuff that they try to push on you and is often a great deal cheaper. It also supports your state economy a little bit.

For sure. We actually have a granite pit not to far from where I live.

[sunsetpizza]

Ok - I'm cleaning up for the night. Took lots of pics too - I'll post in bit.

Fuck.... I'm renaming this thread "how to remodel the kitchen, starting with the faucet".

I'll explain in a minute... but someone please tell me - Who the fuck besides me needs a table saw to change a faucet?

back soon....thanks for tuning in! :D

[Oz]

I'll explain in a minute... but someone please tell me - Who the fuck besides me needs a table saw to change a faucet? :D

Now that's comedy right there!

Looking forward to the pics. Glad YAT wasn't helping, I can see that thread title now "guess what I got in my other eye, what appendages were cut off, and how many stitches, staples and metal plates you can get put in your head!". Ya, that would be a fun contest.

[Quads]

Table saw?
What in gods name......

[sunsetpizza]

Update as promised:

Well as of 5:30pm, just before dark, this house once again has functional plumbing. During the course of the day without water, I took 2 pisses in 2 bathrooms and my 3 yr prodigy laid a pipe a 400# plumber would be proud of, in the third. And shit, I forgot we had no water and flushed all remaining water down 2 shitters (pun) - didn't remember until my son christened the third (funny aside later).

Here's what I started with minus the sprayer - American Standard = piece of shit. the sink was fine - that's construction mess - the faucet holes were messy and rusty.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1444.jpg

Took off the faucet and decided there's no way, I'll spend 3 bills and leave this rusty sink attached to the house. Same goes for the nasty garbage disposal too.

Here's the bottom of the cabinet after 12 years of industrial waste storage and a water leak

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1445.jpg

I change out all 3 valves while I had the water to the house shut off. These are 1/4 turn ball valves - much better than the ones you twist forever and then realize it didn't "function" as advertised (last night).
Once I got the 3 new valves on I had my 5 yr old daughter flush all the toilets, she about puked when she saw Nathan's cable of sadness laying uncovered in his bathroom. :D I was just sober enough to remeber to tell her to check the bowl before she flushed... :)

I was planning on just placing 1/4" ply on top of the cabinet and calling it good but my hand fell through the rotten bottom of the cabinet - prompting cussing, the need for gloves, and a hammer.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1446.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1447.jpg

So - the table saw - here's where it came in handy. I made a new bottom for the cabinet - cut it in half to fit it in, and covered it in $00.88 linoleum tiles from Lowes.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1448.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1450.jpg

And here's the new cast iron sink in place for tmorrow's plumbing adventure.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1449.jpg

[Quads]

Did you price granite when you were there?

I'm just askin'

[Oz]

Was the plumbing job as easy as replacing the sink :)

[sunsetpizza]

The project is done!... I'll post some pics in a bit. It's working great. Took till 8pm last night though. with a trip to Lowe's at 7:30p for the final piece of drain.
What a project. I hate plumbing. At least I saved a couple hundred on labor, right?

The old sink was down at the curb this morning and my wife wanted to put it back in the garage "because someone might want it" - I said no way. I need it gone - far.

[sunsetpizza]

The final result!

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/forums%20stuff/101_1451.jpg

I really dig the vinyl tile on the cabinet floor. I still need to caulk around those edges to clean up the sides (hide the bullshit ;)).

I need to do the tile on the bathroom sinks too. makes a nice clean appearance. And easy to clean spills.

The faucets itself is great. I like the sprayer just in the spout. I thought the whole arm sprayer in the other unit was too bulky. And the sink is a world of difference. It's deeper and the left side is larger since its set back. Holds a lot more dishes (not that I would know :rolleyes:)
And the cast iron just seems to be a better sink - holds heat a lot better, and feels more solid.

All in all a great update to the 12 yr old kitchen. Not really the way I wanted to spend $600 but whatever. We're going to do the cabinets (painting/faux darkening) and replacing the white tile floor with something darker, and the wallpaper we're going to strip the loose stuff and do a skip trowel or Venetian plaster on the walls.

Any recommendations on which of those projects to tackle first - what's the best order of business?

3 items -
floor
cabinets
walls

Thanks for tuning in!

[Quads]

Very nice end results.
Looking good baby... looking good.

Momma happy?

[Shadow]

Do the floor last. That way when you fuck up the walls and cabinets and drip stripper/paint/whatever toxic waste you come across on it, you won't ruin a nice new floor.

JMHO.

[tele_pathic]

Sunset,

Looks good, dude. Appears the new faucet is a good match, color-wise, with the backsplash. Did you say if you replaced the garbage disposal?

TP

[sunsetpizza]

thanks Tele_pathic..... yeas new garbage disposal too - the old one was at least 7 years old (as long as I've lived there) and likely 12 yrs old. the new one is a ton better. It was only $77 with tax so there was no point in keeping the old thing. The whole set up is a world better than the old stuff.

the sink is deeper, and holds the heat better - the faucet is better utility wise, and disposal really grinds up the waste.

[Calgary Dave]

and replacing the white tile floor with something darker...

x2 on doing the floor last. Thats not as easy job, Sunset. Are you comfortable with doing that? if you have any questions shoot me a PM, I've got a lot of tips.

A recent kitchen floor re & re I did:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/work228.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/work227.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/work232.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/work243.jpg

[SniperD5]

Dave, your work never ceases to amaze me. You are an artist of tile work my friend!:salut:

[sunsetpizza]

x2 on doing the floor last. Thats not as easy job, Sunset. Are you comfortable with doing that? if you have any questions shoot me a PM, I've got a lot of tips.



I've done tile work - so I could do it myself. the thing I struggle with is having the energy to bust up the old tile myself - We live on a slab so it's a bitch to scrape up. But it kills me to pay retail for tile and install when I can go get it myself for wholesale pricing. Maybe I'll hire a couple "helpers" from the strip mall parking lot to do the demo.

Here's some pics of the entryway I did in travertine and hardwood. THat project was financed by the insurance company after a $15k toilet flood. Also the table I built with the extra travertine.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/floor1.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/floor2.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/floor3.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/floor4.jpg

[Calgary Dave]

Dave, your work never ceases to amaze me. You are an artist of tile work my friend!:salut:

Hey thanks Sniper! Im trying to make up a website for myself right now. hardest part is finding the time...well that and I'm not good at website design lol. Here's more of my work: http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/


Sunset. Wow...love the entryway. Very nice work!! Wanna job?? LOL.

Two tips for your job.

1. you CAN install tile on top of tile. As long as you dont have any height issues where it meets other surfaces. ie: up against exisiting hardwood/carpet..door thresholds etc. Even if its a little higher than existing floors...you can use Schluters "transition" trim...slopes down a bit to a lower floor. There's a "tile-to-carpet" transition as well as a "tile-to-vinyl" transition (which goes from tile thickness down to about 1/8th" thickness. Even if its a high polished tile. I just use a dry-cutting diamond blade on a 4" mini-grinder and quickly scuff up the existing tile floor...then make sure you use a poly-modified thinset. Just set it like any other floor.

2. if you HAVE to pull up the old tile....use an electric jackhammer such as this: http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/HM1242C/
Home depot rents them for around $60 a day. Make sure you ask for this bit:

http://www.toolbarn.com/images/hitachi/728841.big.jpg

You can use it on wood OR tile. Here I am using it on a 250 sq ft floor. took about 2 hours to remove it all including the K3 sub-floor:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Past%20repairs/Renovations/100_2648.jpg