A leaky kitchen faucet can result in the loss of approximately 20,000 gallons of water a year enough to fill a swimming pool.

In addition to conserving water, modern kitchen faucets are easier to use, and look better than older versions. Due to the high visibility of kitchens in many modern homes, style-minded homeowners are replacing the traditional two-handled faucet with single-lever mixing faucets. They are more convenient to operate, offer a sleeker design and are easier and less costly to maintain.

They also allow for the addition of accessories, such as vegetable sprayers and a soap dispensers, in a traditional three hole sink.

One popular single-lever kitchen faucet is the spray-spout model. The spout doubles as a vegetable sprayer and has a less cluttered look. Another popular model has a telescopic spout which allows you to get large pots under it.

While chrome is still a popular finish it no longer dominates the field. Polished brass, black, white, blue, red and almond are some of the choices available.

Prices for kitchen faucets range from between $50 and $500 with quality, style and finish having the greatest influences on the cost. The least expensive models are plastic with mediocre finishes that are likely to last only a year or two. The more expensive ones have valve bodies that are constructed of solid brass, with brass or ceramic valve entrails and intricately plated finishes. The better brands will also come with guarantees for an extended period. The most expensive models have unusual designs and incorporate one or more of the accessories mentioned before. While you may not want to spend $500 for a new kitchen faucet, you should be prepared to invest at least $100 for good quality.

Installation of a faucet takes an hour or two and requires just a few tools: a pipe wrench, channel locks, and a basin wrench. Also needed: a roll of Teflon tape, a couple of nipples, and a couple of angle stop valves complete with water supplies.

Since kitchen faucets are replaced infrequently, we recommend that you consider replacing the angle stop valves (these are the small valves located inside the cabinet below the sink), water supplies and nipples. Over time these parts become corroded and their effectiveness is seriously diminished. In fact, excessive corrosion in the nipples can reduce significantly the water pressure to the fixture.

Start the project by turning off the water to the house. The faucet being replaced should remain open so that no pressure remains and to ensure that the water is completely off. Using a basin wrench and working under the sink, remove the nuts that attach the water supplies to the faucet and then the nuts that anchor the faucet to the sink. Once the faucet is free from the sink it can be removed. Next, using a pipe wrench and channel locks and working in a counter-clockwise direction, remove the supply lines, angle stops, and nipples. If the home is relatively modern, the nipples may be copper. If so, they should remain.

The new nipples should be galvanized and lined with pvc to prevent future corrosion. Wrap the threads of the new nipples with Teflon tape and install them in a clockwise direction with a pipe wrench. Place an escutcheon or trim plate over the nipples and install the new angle stops and water supplies using channel locks and working in a clockwise direction.

Complete the project by aligning the new faucet with the corresponding holes in the sink and attaching it to the sink with the connectors provided. Connect the hot and cold water supply lines to the corresponding ports on the faucet using a basin wrench. Again, be sure that all threaded connections are wrapped with Teflon tape.