One of the easiest and less costly ways for you to make a useful improvement in your home is to do faucet replacement, which is to replace an old faucet with a new one. Doing so will eliminate the occurrence of irritating leaks and drips, and it could make an amazing difference in improving the aesthetics of an older room.

One of the first things you have to consider in faucet replacement is choosing the right faucet. Nowadays, there are many faucets available in the market that comes in a variety of types, styles, and combinations. But no matter, the first thing you should be worried about is whether the new faucet will fit the old sink.

Also bear in mind that there are different methods used for different supply connections. Find out what supply connection your faucet uses - whether it has a flexible copper supply inlet located in the center of unit, or located under hot and cold handles.

Before you start tinkering with the faucet, you have to do certain things. One of which is to shut off the main water supply. It is also best if you prepare the necessary tools and materials beforehand, including a penetrating oil in case mounting nuts are hard to pry loose. It is also recommended if you have someone to help you around with handing of tools while you do your work. And, don't forget to plug the drain with rags to avoid small parts from going down the drain.

- Remove the old fixture

Remove the nuts that secure the hose to the faucet body if your faucet has a sprayer. Also remove nuts that secure spray head to sink. Detach supply lines and keep them out of the way. Use your wrench to remove the mounting nuts that hold the faucet body to the sink. You can use penetrating oil if it's stuck.

Once faucet is removed, clean the sink from putty and mineral deposits by scraping it off (you can use a steel wool).

- Attach new faucet to the sink

Install or apply a gasket or use a rope of plumber's putty or adhesive to the sink or to the faucet. Set the new faucet in place, and make sure that it is parallel to the backsplash. Get under the sink, and have someone hold the faucet for you while you work. Screw on a washer and mounting nut on to each inlet, and tighten it using a basin wrench.

- Connect supply lines

Wrap inlet threads with Teflon tape or apply pipe joint compound on it. Twist supply line nut on the inlet and tighten it (by hand, then by wrench). Connect the other end of supply line to the shutoff valve in the same process.

If your faucet uses flexible copper inlets for its water supply, make sure that the copper tubes are not twisted in any way. If they are, the faucet could become ruined.

- Connect and adjust the pop-up drain assembly

Insert a ball rod into opening found in the drain body and secure it using a nut provided. Slip the rod through the clevis strap and again secure it, this time using spring clips. Lower the rod and let it pass through the hole near the rear of the faucet sprout and upper end of clevis strap. Tighten thumbscrew, adjust rods, and set everything in place.

And with that, you have the steps to faucet replacement. Never would you have to call on a plumber again to do the work for you. Just follow the steps religiously, and you'll be Mr. HandyMan in no time.