It's time again to fix that faucet. You're sick of the 'drip, drip, drip' from your bathroom sink that keeps you awake until all hours of the morning. It's not the washer in the faucet itself that's gone bad this time; it's the whole apparatus. You go to Lowe's or Home Depot and wind up staring at the huge selection before you slack jawed because you have no idea what to choose. You need help.

Keeping the Same Style Is Easiest

First of all you have to decide whether or not to stick with what you know and replace the faulty faucet with exactly the same style as before. This is by far the easiest route to take as all you need to do is remove your existing faucet, pop along to your local hardware store and buy exactly the same one again. Of course, if this is not possible then the complications set in and your task becomes much more involved. As there are so many types of mounting for your fixture you will need to know which one you need before buying your new faucet. This can often be the most difficult part of selecting your new faucet because, as usual, the one you really prefer will not necessarily work with the configuration of your sink.

Choose Your Type of Mounting

Common types of mounting include: widespread faucets that have individual hot and cold water handles; centerset faucets with one handle that controls both temperatures and covers the three holes that may be in your sink for mounting; mini-widespread which are the same as widespread faucets except positioned closer together; single-hole, similar to the centerset but filing in only one hole; and wall mounted, most commonly found on your bathtubs. Centerset and mini-widespread faucets are both designed for sinks with pre-drilled 4" holes. Some single-hole faucets include covers that allow you to use them on a sink with 4" pre-drilled holes. If you have one of the other types, though, you are best in choosing that same replacement.

Once you have determined which type of mount will suit your sink, it all comes down to looks. Which finish best matches your bathroom? Look for something which will complement the look of the room. You should also evaluate whether the decor of your bathroom is classic, modern or antique in look. This will help you to choose a faucet which will match the room well.

Choosing the Finish

So you have chosen your new faucet and installation is on the horizon. But have you given any thought to the finish of your faucet? Bathroom fixtures come in all manner of finishes from shiny to dull and wrought iron to chrome. Every finish has its good and bad points. Chrome and stainless steel are probably the most common of finishes but they scratch easily and water spots and fingerprints show up all too clearly. Brass, which looks like gold and is very characteristic, rusts more easily. Brushed nickel, which does not show your fingerprints, is more costly and eventually its plating will wear away. The finish is a matter of personal choice, but knowing your options will help you to decide.

There are even choices as far as the handles are concerned with some faucets. Once again these should be matched up to the decor of the rest of your bathroom. All that is left now is to take home your new faucet and fit it. Not only will you be free of the dripping noise, you are also likely to receive many compliments on what can only be described as one of the most basic bathroom items of all time.