CAN I REPLACE MY TWO-HANDLE FAUCET WITH A SINGLE-HANDLE FAUCET? (2024)

FAQs

Can I replace a two handle faucet with a one handle faucet? ›

The answer in most cases is yes. Generally, faucet dimensions and sink openings are standard throughout the plumbing industry. There are few exceptions however, so it is a good idea to check sizes first.

The best way to replace it is with a conversion plate. The plate covers the old valve holes and you do the entire job through the hole you cut in the tile. Buy a plate that fits your new faucet and is wide enough to cover the old valve positions. To find a conversion plate, call a plumbing supply store or order online.

Single-handle faucets are much more user-friendly than double-handle faucets. Installation is simple and requires the drilling of only one hole. They're a common choice for older people as turning them is almost effortless for the infirm or those struggling with arthritis.

A 4-inch centerset bathroom faucet connects to a three-hole bathroom sink. So if you have a three-hole sink with the outside holes 4 inches apart, you should be able to install a single-handle bathroom faucet. However, a deck plate to cover all the holes is usually needed.

A faucet that allows you to activate the water single-handedly meets the standards for compliance and will make it simpler for people with physical limitations to turn on the water.

Ball faucets are a type of single-handle faucet that's easily identifiable by the handle sitting on top of a ball-shaped cap on the top of the faucet spout. The single handle moves side to side to control the temperature, and lifts up to control the water flow.

Better Temperature Control

A double handle faucet has one handle for cold and one handle for hot. This allows you to truly customize the faucet temperature. It is also less likely to change temperature suddenly if the handle is bumped as may be with a single handle faucet.

Yes they are. You can get generic handles. They come with a variety of adapters so they can fit a wide variety of faucet stems. Take an old handle with you to the hardware stire to get the correct adaptor.

The best brands according to plumbers are Moen, Delta, and Kohler. Plumbers prefer these brands due to their quality, their reliability, and their availability.

Deck-mount bathroom faucets are one of the most common bathroom faucet types. If you didn't know, a deck-mounted faucet is installed through holes on top of a vanity or console. Many counters and vanities come with pre-drilled holes for a simple installation.

What faucets for arthritic hands? ›

Lever handles are a great accessible faucet option. They allow users to utilize faucets by pushing down or pulling up, which generally requires less grip strength and dexterity than turning a knob. This can be especially helpful for those with conditions, such as arthritis, that affect hand strength and mobility.

Single-hole faucets are ideal for smaller sinks, such as powder room baths. Their simplicity reflects modern sensibilities. Center-set faucets fit standard three-hole sinks (with outer holes drilled 4 inches apart). They'll have either a single lever or two handles mounted on a 6-inch plate.

Hole Sizing

Most standard (non-air-gap) faucets, with or without tubing attached, need a hole that's 7/8" in diameter to 1-1/8". You can install most standard faucets comfortably in holes up to 1-1/8".

3-hole sinks allow for two-handle faucets only without accessories. 2-hole sinks allow for a single-hole faucet, and an accessory, like a sprayer. 1-hole sink has no deck plate, and is designed for a single-handle faucet.

A: The base plate is not necessary for one hole faucet. You may install it if you want, I actually like how it looks with the base plate.

Faucets must meet ADA reach range and mounting height requirements. A 48-inch-high limitation is required for all accessories (except those mounted over obstructions), including lavatory fixtures, which are more than 20 inches deep. At 20 to 25 inches deep, a reach range of 44 inches applies.

Pro tip: Many manufacturers mark their faucets as ADA compliant. To see if your choice meets standards, simply look for an indication on the product or packaging. There is a wide range of touchless, lever, wrist blade and cross-handle faucet styles to choose from that could help you meet requirements.

The common reasons your faucet is leaking include corrosion, defective gaskets or o-rings or washers, and mineral deposits on internal parts. While this might sound intimidating, most leaky faucets can actually be properly repaired by the homeowner, assuming you have the right tools.

The ball faucet is the most common choice for kitchens. Homeowners can identify it by a handle placed on the ball-shaped cap sitting on the faucet spout. The metal or plastic ball design controls the single handle and helps adjust the temperature and the water flow.

Three types of bathroom faucets are likely to have a single handle: the ball, disc and single handle cartridge types.

What type of faucet are easiest to maintain? ›

In fact, Moen has received the Lifestory Research® America's Most Trusted® award as America's most trusted faucet brand for the past six consecutive years. Moen offers a variety of faucets at several price points while continuing to provide elegant design.

Faucets are usually made of materials that do not corrode in time: most commonly brass and stainless steel. Less pricey models are often made of zinc alloys or plastic, which tend to wear out over a shorter period of time.

Remove the old Handle from the Stem by simply pulling the Handle away from the Faucet. Install the new Handle over the Stem. Reinstall the new Handle Set Screw and tighten with the Phillips Screwdriver. Install the new Handle Button by snapping into the Handle until it clicks.

If your faucet has a decorative cap, pry off the cap with a small flathead screwdriver, then remove the handle screw with a Phillips screwdriver. If your faucet has a setscrew, remove the setscrew with an Allen wrench. Pull straight up on the handle to remove it from the faucet body.

Door handles, fixtures and fittings, and other hardware don't have to match exactly, but they should blend together to make a harmonious space. If you want a cohesive aesthetic, select hardware that's a similar colour to the finish on your fixtures and appliances.

Installing a new kitchen or bathroom faucet is usually an affordable project with an average cost between $150 and $400. With cheaper models and DIY installation, prices could be as low as $50, while higher-end units or more complicated projects requiring a plumber could cost up to $4,000.

In a single-handle faucet, the handle raises or lowers the cartridge within the faucet body to start and stop the flow of water. Both hot and cold water flow into the same cartridge, and a turn of the handle controls the mixture and temperature.

The discs slide back and forth on top of each other, allowing water to move through one hole or the other. Hot or cold water will flow out of the faucet depending on the position of the discs. Voila… water!

When it comes to Delta vs. Moen faucet quality, we feel Delta offer the highest quality of the two brands. However, Delta provides their customers a lifetime limited warranty and 5-year limited warranty for the electronic parts and batteries whereas Moen offers their customers lifetime limited warranty.

Which bathroom faucets last the longest? ›

Solid-brass bodies last longest and require the least care, especially with hard water, which corrodes lesser metals. At $150 or so to start, these faucets also cost the most. If you aren't sure whether a fitting is solid brass, pick it up.

Lighting fixtures and hardware.

Brushed nickel remains a popular finish, while oil-rubbed bronze fixtures are o-u-t, along with heavily embellished ones.

Not all bathroom sink faucets work with every sink, so it's important to make sure the faucet you choose will fit your sink or basin. Standard faucet drillings are centerset, single-hole or widespread.

Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.

Analgesics, which include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and opioids, are commonly used for arthritis in the hands and other joints. They also may be used to relieve pain from other hand and wrist conditions or surgery. Unlike NSAIDs, which target both pain and inflammation, analgesics are designed purely for pain relief.

Treatment options include splinting/bracing, medications, injections, non-drug approaches and surgery. Splits or braces support and protect the affected joint, reduce deformity, provide joint stability, lessen strain, and promote proper joint alignment.

Heat can relax muscles and help lubricate joints. Heat therapy may be used to relieve muscle and joint stiffness, help warm up joints before activity, or ease a muscle spasm. Cold can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain related to arthritis and activity. (It is also recommended to treat many acute injuries.)

Replacing a 4-inch Centerset

A 4-inch centerset faucet uses three holes for mounting, but this can be replaced with a single-lever faucet without also replacing the sink or countertop with a single hole.

Rough-in valves will not be required for most of our Freestanding faucet. Most of our tub faucets are designed to connect to the supply line directly, please read the installation sheet before you start.

What is a three hole faucet called? ›

A 3-hole sink is very common. Here, the kitchen faucet usually has a plate that covers the three holes (called an escutcheon or deck plate). 4-HOLE SINK. A 4-hole sink is the most common kitchen sink. A 4-hole-sink faucet is like a 3-hole faucet (see above), with the addition of a soap dispenser or sprayer.

The answer in most cases is yes. Generally, faucet dimensions and sink openings are standard throughout the plumbing industry. There are few exceptions however, so it is a good idea to check sizes first.

So if you have a three-hole sink with the outside holes 4 inches apart, you should be able to install a single-handle bathroom faucet. However, a deck plate to cover all the holes is usually needed. Many single-handle bathroom faucets include an “escutcheon” or deck plate for this very reason.

Most faucet centers range between 4 and 16 inches, with widespread faucets typically measuring at 6 to 8 inches and centerset faucets measuring at 4 inches.

Better Temperature Control

A double handle faucet has one handle for cold and one handle for hot. This allows you to truly customize the faucet temperature. It is also less likely to change temperature suddenly if the handle is bumped as may be with a single handle faucet.

While single-handle faucets are more suitable for those with arthritis, it's virtually impossible to accidentally turn on extremely hot water with a double faucet. In the end, it's a matter of preference. The faucet should suit the room style while also being functional.

Make sure to measure your faucet centers. This refers to the distance, in inches, between the pre-drilled faucet holes in the sink or vanity, from the very center of the left hole to the very center of the right hole.