Whether you buy a single-piece faucet or a split set like the one shown here, be sure your sink or countertop has the appropriate number and sizes of holes for the unit.

To remove an old faucet, first turn off the shut-off valves at the supply tubes. Use a basin wrench to remove the nuts that connect the supply tubes to the faucet tailpieces. Drain the water in the supply tubes into a bucket or bowl. Remove the locknuts and the washers on both tailpieces, then lift out the faucet.

Many new faucets require some assembly before mounting to the sink. If the one you have chosen does, assemble according to the manufacturer's directions. If the sink has a pop-up assembly, remove it before installing the faucet.

When it's time to hook up your new faucet, flexible supply tubes make connecting it much easier because no cutting or fitting of lines is required.

	1. Clean the surface where the new faucet will sit and insert the rubber gasket between the faucet's base plate and the sink top to create a watertight seal. If no gasket is provided, seal the perimeter of the faucet base with plumber's putty, then insert the tailpieces through the holes in the sink top.
	2. If your faucet has water-supply tubes already attached to the tailpieces, as shown, feed them through the middle sink hole and press the faucet into position on the sink. From the underside, thread a washer and mounting nut onto each tailpiece (some faucets have a combination washer/nut made of plastic), then tighten the nuts firmly with a wrench.
	3. For split-set faucets, like the one shown, you'll need to connect the valves to the spout. Before you connect them with the flexible hoses supplied, wrap a couple of turns of pipe-wrap tape around the threaded ends of the valves and connecting piece. Then thread them on by hand, and finish by tightening with an adjustable wrench.
	4. Virtually all bathroom faucets come with a pop-up mechanism that allows you to open and close the drain by pulling up on a lift rod behind the spout. Remove the stopper from the tailpiece, then install the tailpiece as shown so the pop-up port faces the spout.
	5. Attach the pop-up mechanism to the tailpiece, taking care to thread the pivot rod into the opening at the bottom of the drain stopper. A spring clip on the end of the pivot rod will grip the lift rod.
	6. Insert the lift rod in the hole in the spout and attach it to the pivot rod via the extension rod supplied. Adjust it so the drain stopper will open and close properly when the lift rod is operated. Connect the faucet's hot and cold supply tubes, bending them gently to meet the shutoff valves. Tighten the compression nuts or flared fittings and turn on the water to clear the lines of any debris and to check for leaks.

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