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Installing a wall-mount faucet involves a few steps. First, turn off the water supply and drain any remaining water from the pipes. Next, mark the desired height and location for the faucet on the wall. Use a stud finder to locate the studs and attach a mounting bracket to secure the faucet. Connect the water supply lines to the faucet and tighten them securely. Finally, attach the faucet handles and spout according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Test the faucet for any leaks before fully securing it to the wall. Overall, installing a wall-mount faucet requires careful planning and proper execution to ensure a successful installation.
A wall-mount faucet differs significantly from a deck-mount faucet, although they both function in the same way once installed. Installing a wall-mount faucet requires more planning and precise measurements, as well as the installation of water supply lines behind the wall. Unless you possess above-average DIY skills and plumbing knowledge, with confidence in your ability to create leak-free connections that will be concealed behind a wall covering, it is advisable to reconsider attempting this installation yourself.
However, if you are comfortable with rough-in plumbing and have experience installing a shower valve, this task is comparable and even slightly easier. In this case, you can proceed by tearing open the wall or backsplash, gathering the necessary tools and supplies, and taking measurements. Some of the tasks involved in this installation process may include:
- Installing new shut-off valves
- Modifying the framing
- Soldering pipe connections
Depending on the type of faucet you have and the wall or backsplash material, such as tile, stone, or another difficult-to-remove material, it may be easier to access the plumbing by entering an adjacent room and installing it from the other side of the wall.
Factors to Consider for Design
Proper placement of the faucet above the sink is crucial. If it is positioned too high, water will splash, and if it is too low, there will not be sufficient working space. The minimum distance allowed by code from the spout to the flood rim of the sink is 1 inch, but there is no maximum limit. Moen recommends a height of 3 inches as ideal for a bathroom faucet, while a kitchen sink is deeper, requiring the kitchen faucet to be set higher in order to accommodate large pots and pans underneath.
When installing a wall-mount bathroom faucet, ensure that the spout is long enough to clear the back of the sink. A wall-mount kitchen faucet typically has a longer spout compared to a bathroom faucet, and using a short spout in conjunction with a wall-mount or vessel sink may cause difficulties.
Essential Materials
- 2×4 lumber
- 2 1/2-inch wood screws
- 1/2-inch copper or PEX water pipe
- Two shut-off valves
- Two 1/2-inch threaded elbows
- 1 1/4-inch screws
- 1/2-inch brass pipe nipples
- Duct tape
- Soldering supplies
- Level
- Locking pliers
- Screwdriver
Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker
Installation Process for a Wall-Mount Faucet
Step 1: Review the Installation Instructions
Thoroughly read the installation instructions provided with your faucet. These instructions contain specifications specific to your faucet model, and it is crucial to follow them precisely. Pay particular attention to the blocking requirements, including the setback, if you are installing an in-wall valve with removable faucet handles and a removable spout.
Step 2: Adjust the Framing and Add Obstruction
Determine the approximate location of the center of the faucet and reposition any studs that are obstructing it. This step may not always be necessary, as certain faucets, like bridge-style ones, can reach over intervening studs. However, if the valve is concealed in the wall, the studs will be in the way.
Install obstruction, which is typically 2×4 lumber placed between a pair of studs with the wider edge facing outward. Attach the obstruction to the studs using 2 1/2-inch wood screws.
Step 3: Install the Water Supply Lines and Shutoff Valves
Set up 1/2-inch water supply lines. Plumbers usually use copper pipes, but you may prefer PEX, which is easier to install and less likely to leak if the pipes freeze inside the wall. Remember to install shutoff valves for both hot and cold water.
If you are replacing a sink-mount faucet with a wall-mount faucet, you should be able to extend the existing water lines up the wall and use the existing shutoff valves. If it is a brand-new faucet and you cannot conceal the shutoff valves in a cabinet, find a suitable location in the room or a neighboring one where you can hide them behind a removable panel. Alternatively, you can place them in another part of the house, such as the basement or crawl space, depending on the routing of the pipes.
Step 4: Connect the Pipes or Install the Valve
The method of connection depends on the type of faucet and pipes you have. For a standard double-handle bridge-style faucet connected to copper pipes, solder a copper or brass elbow to each pipe with a 1/2-inch IPS threaded inlet facing outward. Then, attach the fitting to the obstruction using 1 1/4-inch screws. If you are using PEX pipes, use an appropriate PEX fitting instead.
If the faucet has a concealed valve, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install it. This may involve soldering copper pipes to the valve or using suitable PEX fittings. Make sure to level the valve before tightening the screws that hold it to the obstruction.
Step 5: Attach Pipe Nipples
For a faucet that does not have an in-wall valve, screw a 1/2-inch brass nipple into each of the prepared elbows. Ensure that the nipples are long enough to extend beyond the wall as recommended by the manufacturer. Cover the openings of the nipples with duct tape to prevent debris from entering while you replace the drywall or other wall covering.
If you are installing a faucet with an in-wall valve, it should already have stub-outs that will protrude through the wall covering, eliminating the need for additional nipples. The stub-outs should have protective covers to prevent debris from entering during the installation process.
Step 6: Complete the Wall and Install the Faucet or Faucet Trim
Finish the wall entirely, including any necessary drywall installation, painting, tiling, and grout sealing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the faucet or faucet trim. If you are installing a stainless steel, solid brass, or other utility faucet, use the compression nuts provided and tighten them with locking pliers. If your faucet has a concealed valve, usually you will screw the trim onto the valve stub-outs and secure it with a set screw using a screwdriver or Allen wrench.
