Sparkling faucets help sell

Putting new plumbing fixtures
in baths and kitchens

Sometimes a new faucet is better than trying to fix an old one

Prospective home buyers often don't really know what to do when they visit a house for sale. So what they do is play with things. Kind of like kicking the tires when buying a used car. In real estate, light switches get flicked, everything with a handle gets pulled, they turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets. Having nice shiny fixtures that don't drip makes an impression.

Kitchens and bathrooms are 2 very important rooms when it comes to selling your house. Even if the budget won't allow you to update these rooms completely, sometimes a new faucet may be just the trick to give that tired kitchen or bath a bit of a lift.

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If cleaning doesn't achieve this, buy new ones. These don't need to be fancy and can be accomplished rather inexpensively.

Before you run out to the local hardware store, here's a few things you want to be aware of:

If you're replacing just the faucets, check on how many holes the existing sink has? This is important to know since most new faucets come in a different configurations (1 hole, 2 hold, 3 hole, 4 hole). Select a faucet that fits the number of holes. Hole size is pretty uniform. However, distance between holes will sometimes vary. Measure the distance from hole centers.

Next, determine the handle options. These can be single handle faucets (meaning there is just one handle to adjust both the hot and cold water mix). You'll have this option in all hole configurations. Two handle faucets mean that you'll have separate handles for your hot and cold.

Finally, determine if you want a hand sprayer. This option can be either a pull-out or an integral spray type.

Pricing: This is entirely dependent on the condition and style of your existing kitchen. There is no need to put a $300 faucet in an older kitchen with formica counter tops. However, if you have a high-end kitchen with solid surface or stone counter tops, then a $300+ faucet would be appropriate.

Select a style appropriate for your kitchen style. There is a great selection of options when it comes to style and finish. From chrome to satin, stainless steel to colored enamels. Try to select options that will coordinate with the existing hardware and finishes.

Water filters

Unless you already have a water filter installed, it probably is not worth the extra expense of installing a new one. The one exception to this might be if you have well water and the water might have an off-color taste that you long ago became accustom to.

Water softeners

Again, as with water filters, water softeners will not add or subtract much of anything from the selling process. Unless you have a really good reason to add one, it is not recommended to do just for the selling process.

Garbage disposals

If you have a garbage disposal already, make sure it is in good working order, and clean and sweet smelling. Make sure it doesn't rattle when turned on. Make sure the unit you have or are considering is appropriate for your sewer and other plumbing hookups.

There is quite a variety of options for new garbage disposal installations. These include 1/2 to 1 horsepower, with the 1/2 suitable for a small family and the 1 horsepower units for bigger and tougher jobs of larger families.

Sound deadening is another feature. The more expensive models are equipped with special features to make them quieter and that isolate the vibration from the rest of the plumbing system.

De-odorized older disposal units

If the unit is not used properly, then organic matter accumulates on the sides of the grinding unit. Over a relatively short period of time, this organic material begin to decompose and give off a bad odor.

DO NOT USE BLEACH OR DRAIN CLEANERS TO REMOVE THIS ORGANIC MATERIAL.

Sometimes putting ice into the grinders will be enough to remove minor build up. Try that first. Turn on the unit with a small stream of water then drop several ice cubes in and listen for the sound to change. Repeat. Then follow up with some baking soda, or lemon rinds. Contrary to popular myths, ice cubes do not "sharpen the blades" of a disposal unit. There are no blades in a disposal unit, only grinding arms that smash the food items to a pulp before it can enter into the drain pipe. Even if there are no blades in the unit, you still never want to put your your fingers or anything else down into an operating disposal as the grinding arms will severely smash your fingers or just about anything else.

Once a week, put the drain stopper over the unit and fill the basin with water and dishwashing soap. Once the sink is full, remove the plug and turn on the unit. This will help flush the grinding chamber of accumulated debris.