Ever find yourself in a situation where your best water source is literally under your nose, tucked away under your kitchen sink? It might seem counterintuitive, but hooking up a garden hose under your sink can be a practical solution. This is especially true if there’s no outdoor water source available or if it’s located in an inconvenient spot.

Now, you might have come across numerous guides on connecting a hose to a sink faucet. But, if you’re a frequent hose user, you know that the constant connect-disconnect routine can be a bother. To solve this, we’re going to dive into how to install a hose bib with a shut-off valve under your sink. This setup allows you to have an expandable garden hose under your sink that remains connected while still letting you use your sink’s faucet.

So, let’s get started by discussing the tools and supplies you’ll need, followed by a detailed step-by-step walkthrough of the installation process.

Choosing the Right Garden Hose Connector Size

Garden hose connectors come in an assortment of sizes. You’ll find them in diameters such as 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and 5/8 inch. However, the 3/4-inch-diameter hose is typically the most common, and connectors of the same size are standard.

Why the preference for the 3/4 inch size? Well, due to its effectiveness. The pressure of a water hose with this diameter is likely higher than other sizes. Therefore, it’s versatile, suitable for various tasks like watering the garden, washing the car, or professional-level yard maintenance.

The Magic of a Hose Splitter

Now, there may come a time when you’ll need to use several hoses simultaneously. The challenge arises when there aren’t enough spigots or taps for the water supply. That’s where a hose splitter proves invaluable.

Hose splitters, a type of fitting and adapter for water hoses, are designed to attach to a faucet or fixture. They have multiple outlets for connecting several hose lines at once. Some even feature a control switch that lets you dictate which hose gets the water supply. Handy, isn’t it?

Assembling Your Tools and Parts

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let’s ensure you have all the necessary tools and parts. The specifications provided here apply to a 3/8″ water source, which is standard for most homes today. If your plumbing is older, take some measurements before you start, as 1/2 inch is still used in some older setups.

Remember, we’re measuring the internal diameter of the pipe tube through which water will flow. If you need help determining pipe diameters, there are plenty of instructional videos available online. Most of these parts should be readily available at your local hardware store. Here’s what you’ll need:

Understanding Compression versus Pipe Thread

Before we proceed with the installation, it’s vital to understand that we’ll be transitioning from compression threading from the water supply to pipe threading that your garden hose will connect to. Compression threading cannot be attached to pipe threading. If you try to do so, it will leak, no matter how much Teflon tape you use.

That’s why all of the adapters and fittings mentioned above are necessary. We’re not only changing the size (from 3/8″ to 3/4″), but we’re also altering the type of threading from compression to pipe.

The Step-by-Step Installation Guide

We’re all set now! Let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to install a hose spigot under your kitchen sink.

  1. Prepare your workspace: Start by placing a pail under the cold water source of your sink, which is usually on the right-hand side. This will catch any leaking water that has already entered the line.
  2. Turn off the water source: Now, ensure you’re working with the cold water supply by running cold water from your faucet. If you’ve got the right supply, no water should come out while the hot water is still running.
  3. Detach the water line: After ensuring the water supply is off, disconnect the cold water supply line from the sink. Use your adjustable wrench to turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen it. You might want to have your pail and rag handy for any residual water that might escape.
  4. Attach the three-way adapter: Once you’ve detached the water line, screw on the 3/8″ three-way compression adapter onto the cold water source. It should go on smoothly, but if you’re facing any resistance, don’t force it. Instead, double-check to ensure the threads align properly.
  5. Reattach the water line: Once the adapter is in place, reconnect the sink’s water line to one of the adapter’s outlets. Make sure it’s secure but avoid over-tightening.
  6. Add the compression hose: Now, attach the 20″ long 1/2″ FIP compression hose to the remaining outlet on the three-way adapter. Ensure it’s firmly in place.
  7. Set up the steel nipple: At the other end of the compression hose, you’ll need to connect the 1/2″ steel nipple. Make sure you apply some plumber’s tape (also known as Teflon tape) to the threads of the nipple before you screw it in to ensure a tight seal.
  8. Install the ball valve: The next step is to attach the 1/2″ ball valve to the steel nipple. Again, make sure to use plumber’s tape on the threads to prevent any leaks.
  9. Connect the garden hose adapter: Now, it’s time to change the thread type. Screw the 1/2″ to 3/4″ male garden hose adapter into the ball valve. This is the part that will connect to your garden hose.
  10. Secure your setup: To make sure your new setup is secure and doesn’t put any unnecessary strain on your plumbing, you should secure the new pipe to the wall using a pipe wall mount.
  11. Test the water flow: Finally, before you connect your garden hose, turn the water supply back on and check your connections for leaks. If you find any, try tightening the connections a bit more. If the leaks persist, you may need to disassemble and reapply plumber’s tape where necessary.

And voila, you’ve successfully installed a hose spigot under your kitchen sink. Now you can connect your garden hose directly to your kitchen sink’s cold water supply. Remember, this setup is meant to be used with a garden hose that has a 3/4″ connector, which is the standard size for most garden hoses. Happy watering!

Conclusion

The process of installing a garden hose under your kitchen sink might seem a bit daunting at first, but with the right tools and a little patience, it’s a task that most homeowners can tackle themselves. You’ll find that the convenience of having a garden hose attached directly to your kitchen sink will be well worth the effort. Plus, you’ll have gained some valuable DIY plumbing experience along the way!

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