Get help or do it yourself?

If you are replacing an old faucet with a new faucet, this is a job that a proficient handyman should be able to do. The exception is if you are dealing with wall mount faucets, in a shower or in a kitchen or bath. If wall mounted faucets are being replaced, you want to do everything you can to avoid having to tear up your tile and we recommend that you work with a plumbing professional.

In practice, most homeowners choose not to install faucets themselves, and hire professionals. New faucets are often installed as part of a kitchen or bathroom remodel, so you may already have a general contractor engaged who is managing the entire process. If your project is limited to a new sink and faucets, you can call your regular plumber, or ask for a referral from your retailer or etailer.

Brand

Most of the top faucet brands are international or national brands that have been in business for years. The best known brands tend to manufacturer many faucets that are mid-priced in a range of designs and finishes. If you are looking at high-end faucets, you may find faucets that are made by smaller companies or artisans.

Holes: 1, 2, 3, or 4

Most sinks have holes to accommodate faucets. (The exceptions would be vessel sinks or sinks using counter or wall mounted faucets.) If you are replacing a faucet in an already installed sink, you need to either buy and install a faucet that matches your hole configuration, or make sure you can adapt a mis-matched faucet and sink to work together. If you have a sink with multiple holes, it is important to measure the distance between holes: the distance between the holes will be one of several standard configurations and you need to know which type of sink you own.

If you are shopping for a new sink and faucet at the same time, make sure you consider the hole configuration of each. Make sure that you have the right sink for your faucet, and vice versa.

Cost

You can easily spend over $1,000 for a new faucet for your bathroom or kitchen sink, but you can also find many models that are under $200 that will look great, function well, and be quite durable. Look for reputable manufacturers combined with 5-year to lifetime warranties.

Features

Flow control/water conservation: All new faucets are now mandated to deliver no more than 2.5 gallons per minute; some provide additional adjustable flow rate restrictors.

Touchless/sensor faucet: These "no hands" faucets have been popular in public washrooms for years, but they are gaining popularity in the home market. They are particularly helpful in kitchens where your hands might be full or messy, and in children's bathrooms where they reduce the spread of germs.

Dripless faucets: Hardened ceramic discs are replacing rubber washers in this latest faucet improvement. The result? Years, if not a lifetime, of dripless performance.

Hot limiting safety valves: If you have children, seniors, or very hot tap water, consider installing faucets with hot limiting safety valves. You will never have to worry about scalding again.

Pressure-balancing valves: Does hot water burn you while you are showering and someone flushes the toilet? Does cold water dowse you when somebody turns on the washing machine? Well, if you install pressure-balancing valves, your pressure and temperature will be constant, despite how anyone else was using water.

Thermostatic valves: Thermostatic valves enable you to "set" a faucet at a specific temperature. Now you can get your shower temperature perfect every time, and you know longer have to spend half your shower fine-tuning. Many thermostatic valve faucets enable you to make multiple settings, so each bather can lock in their own favorite temperature.

Cleaning and Maintenance

You should purchase a faucet that is durable enough to maintain its appearance under normal use. Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning. The finish on most faucets will be damaged, for instance, if you clean them with an abrasive pad. Bright polished metal faucets and very light porcelain faucets require the most regular cleaning to look clean. Antique finished and brushed finishes tend to show dirt less readily.