Faucets are some of the most attractive but hardest working appliances in the house. You can give a bathroom a complete new look just by changing the faucet.

If you decide to take the plunge, go to a specialized plumbing supply store like Universal Plumbing Supply, (248) 542-3888, www.universalplumbingsupply.com, or Warren Pipe & Supply, (586) 294-6810, www.warrenpipe.com, where you can see the all the different styles, not just the limited inventory available at the big boxes.

Once you choose your new faucet, installation is relatively easy. You could probably do it yourself in an hour or two. Be sure to read installation instructions, or better yet, get Jim or Eric at Universal or Brian at Warren Pipe & Supply to walk you through it. If you can't find the instructions, Delta Faucet (800) 345-DELTA, www.deltafaucet.com, has meticulous, beautifully illustrated, step-by-step instructions on their Web site. I used some of their illustrations for this article.

1. Clear out all the stuff under the sink, turn off the water supply lines and take off the old faucet. Apply penetrating oil to the mounting nuts and water supply tube coupling nuts. Allow the oil to work for about 15-minutes, then remove the nuts with the basin wrench. Pull the old faucet straight up. If necessary, pry up with a putty knife. Clean the sink of any debris.

2. Place faucet gasket over the holes on the sink and lower the faucet into position.

3. Thread plastic mounting nuts onto faucet shanks. Hand tighten only.

4. Check top of sink to see that faucet is correctly positioned.

5. Position water supply tubes.

6. Wrap water supply valve threads with Teflon tape and thread the water supply nuts at ends of tubes onto the hot and cold shut-off valves. Tighten with wrench.

7. Wrap faucet shanks with Teflon Tape.

8. Tighten water supply tube nuts with basin wrench.

9. Get up (oh ,my aching back) and insert the lift rod into the faucet.

10. Get back under the sink. Make sure that both the lift rod and pivot rod are in the down position. Insert lift rod into the lift rod strap. Tighten the screw. Insert pivot rod into the closest hole in strap.

11. Make certain that the lift rod raises and lowers the plug correctly. Adjust as necessary.

12. Make sure that faucet is on open. Remove aerator and the black sealing gasket from faucet snout. Open both shut off valves and flush the faucet to remove debris. Let run for 15 seconds. Flush aerator screen. Turn off sink and replace aerator and gasket.

Supplies

Materials needed: New faucet, Teflon tape and penetrating oil.

Tools needed: Basin wrench, adjustable wrench, channel lock Pliers, Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, flashlight and a rolled up towel for your head.