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To convert a two handle faucet to a single handle, the hole spacing on the sink has to match. Most two handle faucets sit on a 4 inch centerset or an 8 inch widespread. A single handle faucet uses one hole, so you either buy a model with an escutcheon plate that covers the extra holes, or you change the sink.
Key Takeaways
- Measure the hole spacing first. Everything else depends on that number.
- A deck plate or escutcheon lets a single handle faucet cover three existing holes.
- Single handle faucets mix hot and cold in one cartridge, so the supply connections change.
- Plan on replacing the angle stops and supply lines while the area is open.
- The job is about two hours if the shutoffs cooperate, and much longer if they do not.
Measure the Hole Spacing First
Measure center to center between the outer two holes on the sink deck. That number tells you what you can install.
| Spacing | Name | Single Handle Options |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches, 3 holes | Centerset | Single handle with 4 inch deck plate |
| 8 inches, 3 holes | Widespread | Single handle with 8 inch deck plate |
| 6 inches, 3 holes | Mini widespread | Single handle with matching plate |
| One hole | Single hole | Direct single handle swap |
| Kitchen, 4 holes | Standard kitchen | Single handle plus deck plate, or use the spare hole for a soap dispenser |
Deck plates are sold with most single handle faucets or separately for a few dollars. Match the finish. A brushed nickel plate under a chrome faucet is the sort of detail that bothers you every day.
What Actually Changes Below the Sink
A two handle faucet has two separate valves feeding a single spout. Each handle controls one temperature, and the mixing happens in the spout body.
A single handle faucet routes both supplies into one cartridge that mixes them. That means the two supply risers come up into one body rather than two, and the mounting is a single shank with a nut rather than two.
The practical consequence is that the old supply lines rarely reach the new connection point cleanly. Buy new braided stainless supply lines in the right length rather than reusing the originals.
How to Convert the Faucet
- Shut off the water and test it. Close both angle stops, then open the faucet. If water keeps running, the stops are not holding and the main shutoff comes next.
- Disconnect the supply lines. Put a bucket and a towel underneath. There is always more water in the lines than expected.
- Remove the old faucet. Undo the mounting nuts under the deck. A basin wrench is the difference between fifteen minutes and an afternoon.
- Clean the deck. Scrape off the old plumber’s putty or silicone and clean the surface completely. Anything left behind stops the new seal sitting flat.
- Fit the deck plate. Set it over the holes with the gasket supplied, or a thin bead of silicone if none came with it.
- Mount the new faucet. Feed the supply lines and the shank through the center hole, then tighten the mounting nut from below.
- Replace the angle stops. If the old ones are multi turn valves more than fifteen years old, swap them for quarter turn stops now while everything is accessible.
- Connect and test. Attach the new supply lines, open the stops slowly, and check every joint with a dry tissue rather than a finger.
If an angle stop will not close or weeps once reopened, stop and deal with that first. A valve that fails while you are under the sink turns a faucet swap into water damage. Our faucet repair and replacement team replaces stops as part of the job.
When the Sink Has to Change Too
Two situations force a bigger job.
The first is a sink with widely spaced holes and no deck plate available in the finish you want. Some designer faucets simply do not offer one.
The second is a vessel or undermount sink where the faucet mounts to the countertop rather than the sink. Changing hole configuration there means drilling stone, which is specialist work and unforgiving.
If you are already considering a new sink, doing both at once costs less than doing them separately, since the disconnection and reconnection happens once. Our sink installation service covers both fixtures together, and larger projects fall under bathroom and kitchen remodel plumbing.
Why People Make the Switch
- One handed operation. Useful with full hands, and a genuine accessibility improvement.
- Faster temperature setting. One movement rather than balancing two valves.
- Fewer parts to fail. One cartridge instead of two stems and two seats.
- Easier cleaning. A deck plate covers the grime traps around two separate handles.
- Water saved. Less time running water to find a temperature adds up, which is part of why EPA WaterSense bathroom faucet criteria exist.
The argument against is precision. Two handle faucets let you set hot and cold independently, which some people prefer for washing up. It is a preference, not a performance difference.
Parts to Have Before You Start
- Single handle faucet with matching deck plate
- Two braided stainless supply lines, sized to the new connection
- Two quarter turn angle stops if the existing ones are old
- Basin wrench and adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s putty or 100 percent silicone
- Bucket, towels and a flashlight
Terms like escutcheon, angle stop and shank appear on every product page and half the instructions. Our plumbing terms glossary defines them if any are unfamiliar.
Choosing a Cartridge Type
Single handle faucets are not all the same inside, and the cartridge is what decides how long the faucet lasts and how easy it is to repair.
- Ceramic disc. Two polished discs slide across each other. Almost nothing wears, and a good one runs for decades. This is what to look for.
- Cartridge. A replaceable plastic or brass insert. Reliable, and the part is easy to find when it eventually drips.
- Ball valve. A slotted metal ball with springs and seats underneath. Serviceable but has more small parts than the alternatives.
Ceramic disc is the better long term choice, and hard water is the reason. Mineral deposits are what destroy rubber seats and springs over time, and ceramic surfaces are far less affected. Across much of the Triad that difference shows up within a few years.
Check that replacement cartridges are available before you buy. An inexpensive faucet from a brand with no parts supply becomes a full replacement the first time it drips, while a mid range faucet from an established manufacturer takes a ten dollar cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you replace a two handle faucet with a single handle?
Yes, in almost every case. A single handle faucet mounts in the center hole and a deck plate covers the two outer holes. Match the plate size to your existing hole spacing.
What is a deck plate and do I need one?
A deck plate, sometimes called an escutcheon, is a flat cover that spans the unused holes on the sink. You need one any time the faucet uses fewer holes than the sink has.
How long does converting a faucet take?
About two hours for a straightforward swap. Corroded mounting nuts, seized shutoff valves or a sink with no clearance underneath can easily double that.
Do I need to replace the supply lines?
Yes. Old lines rarely reach the new connection point at the right angle, and braided stainless lines are inexpensive. Reusing a fifteen year old supply line to save a few dollars is a poor trade.
Will a single handle faucet fit my 8 inch widespread sink?
With an 8 inch deck plate, yes. Confirm the plate is available in the finish you want before buying the faucet, because not every model offers one.
Do I need a permit to replace a faucet?
No. Replacing a fixture like for like does not require a permit in Triad jurisdictions. Moving supply lines or drains does.
Faucet Replacement Across the Triad
The part of this job that goes wrong is almost never the faucet. It is a shutoff valve that will not close, a mounting nut fused to the shank, or a supply line that lets go at two in the morning a week later.
We replace the stops and the lines as standard, and we test everything under pressure before we leave. We answer the phone around the clock, seven days a week.
All Star Plumbing
4003 North Main Street
High Point, NC 27265
Phone: (336) 462-1080
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
NC Plumbing License #15130
Find us on Google Maps
Family owned since 2007, serving High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and the surrounding Triad. Book a faucet installation and have it done in one visit.
