Faucets & Fixtures
Guides on faucets, shower valves and the trim you touch every day. You will find how to stop a dripping kitchen or bathroom faucet, replace a cartridge in a single-handle mixer or a shower valve, clean an aerator to restore flow, fix a diverter that sends water the wrong way, and tighten a base that has worked loose. Sizing and fit articles cover faucet hole counts, pull-down against pull-out sprayers, and shower arm reach. Buying guides cover faucets, cartridges, braided supply lines, aerators, sprayer heads and hose bibb quick connects.
Picks are chosen from manufacturer specifications, installation instructions, warranty terms and plumbing code, with attention to fit and to whether replacement parts stay available. There are no paid placements. Some links on these pages are affiliate links, mostly to Amazon; if you buy through one the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Before you buy, find the brand and model of the fixture you have. It is often printed under the sink, on the valve body behind the handle, or on the original box. A cartridge or stem has to match the valve exactly, and the same brand can use different cartridges in different years. For a new faucet, count the holes in the sink or counter, measure how far the spout needs to reach, and check the supply line size under the sink. Turn off the water at the shut-off valves before any repair, and keep the old part so you can compare it with the new one.
Best American Standard Pedestal Sink
American Standard pedestal sinks compared from AS spec sheets: Cadet, Evolution 22 and Boulevard, with size, bowl, height and faucet-hole options.
Best Kohler Shower Drain
Kohler shower drains compared from Kohler spec sheets: Clearflo square and round tile-in drains, the K-9132 shower-base drain and the K-80646 linear channel.
Best Clawfoot Tub Shower Kit
Clawfoot tub shower kits compared from Kingston Brass drawings: a 7-inch deck-mount kit and two 3-3/8-inch tub-wall kits, with ring size, riser and hand shower.
Best Clawfoot Tub
Clawfoot tubs compared from Kingston Brass drawings: 66-inch and 72-inch cast iron and a 51-inch acrylic tub, with depth, faucet drillings and drain location.
Best Corner Bathtub
Corner soaking tubs compared from maker drawings: Kohler Tercet 60 x 60 (96 gal) and Carver SKC5555 55 x 55 (70 gal), with cutouts, mortar bed and hot water.
Best 54-Inch Bathtub
54-inch alcove bathtubs compared from maker sheets: Swiss Madison Voltaire and Ivy 54 x 30, Kingston Aqua Eden 54 x 32, with depth, drain side and fit checks.
Best Drop-In Tub
Drop-in bathtubs compared from Kohler spec sheets: Underscore deep soaker, Archer 60 x 32 and 60 x 30 with lower step-over, plus cutouts, floor load and drains.
Best Vessel Sink and Vessel Faucet
Vessel sinks and tall faucets from Kohler and Moen spec sheets: Vox sinks, Composed and Align faucets, plus overflow drains, faucet reach and counter height.
Best Pedestal Sink
Pedestal sinks compared from maker spec sheets: Kohler Cimarron and Veer, American Standard Town Square S, plus wall backing, rough-in and faucet fit.
Best Utility Sink
Utility sinks for laundry rooms and garages: Mustee floor and wall Utilatubs, a cabinet sink and Moen utility faucets, with drain, trap and faucet-fit notes.
Best Alcove Bathtub
Alcove tubs by drain side and material: Kohler Entity acrylic (61 lb), Mendota and Villager cast iron, with Kohler weights, floor loads and drain kit notes.
Tub Overflow Gasket
Water under the tub after a bath usually means a failed overflow gasket. Danco and LASCO gasket sizes, how to replace one, and clawfoot drain options.
Sink Mounting Clips
Choose sink mounting clips by the exact sink, channel and countertop. Compare undermount brackets and drop-in U-channel kits, anchors, supports and clearance.
Faucet Handle Replacement
Choose a faucet handle replacement by stem fit, depth, screw and faucet model. Compare Delta H21 and Danco 89419, with brand exclusions and package checks.
Best Drop-In Bathroom Sink
Compare drop-in bathroom sinks by cutout template, faucet holes and drain fit. Choose an Archer or Aqualyn only after checking the full replacement layout.
Wall-Mount Bathroom Faucets
Compare wall-mount bathroom faucet trim by rough valve, handle layout and basin fit. Check finished-wall depth, spout position, drain and access before buying.
Pressure-Balancing or Thermostatic Shower Valve?
Compare pressure-balancing and thermostatic shower valves by sensing method, volume control, rough-in fit and temperature-limit setup before choosing trim.
Freestanding Tub Fillers
Compare freestanding tub filler trim by required rough-in, tub-rim clearance, spout reach, floor support, fill-rate conditions, handshower use and service.
Best Undermount Bathroom Sink
Choose an undermount bathroom sink: Kohler rectangular vs oval basins, current templates, clamp support, overflow drains and faucet clearance before cutting.
Best Single Hole Bathroom Faucet
Choose a single hole bathroom faucet: Moen 6702 vs Delta 567LF-GPM-PP, with spout reach, deck plate, drain, flow and sink-fit checks before you buy.
Shower Handle Replacement
Choose a shower handle replacement by valve model, broach, fastening and clearance. Compare exact Delta and Danco options before buying a replacement kit.
Best Bar Sink (2026)
The best bar sink for your counter and cabinet: compare Ruvati RVH7115, Kraus KHU631-15 and Kohler Strive, plus drain, depth, cutout and support checks.
Best Linear Shower Drain (2026)
The best linear shower drain for most tiled showers is the Schluter KERDI-LINE. Match the drain to your membrane, outlet position, length and shower flow first.
Best Wall Hung Sink (2026)
The best wall-hung sink for most bathrooms is the American Standard Lucerne 0355.912. Compare Kohler Kingston picks, hangers, carriers, blocking and rim height.
Best Escutcheon Plate (2026)
The best escutcheon plate for an oversized shower valve hole is the Westbrass CP640. Compare remodel plates and pick chrome pipe escutcheons by size and depth.
Best Shower Rod (2026)
The best shower rod for a standard 5 ft tub is the Moen CSR2165CH curved rod. Compare adjustable, tension and stall rods, and how to anchor one in tile safely.
Best Backer Board for Showers (2026)
The best backer board for most showers is Schluter KERDI-BOARD. Compare GoBoard and HardieBacker, framing limits, seam sealing and cutting for the valve.
Best Shower Drain (2026)
The best shower drain depends on the floor: Sioux Chief 821-2P for tile over a liner, Schluter KD2/PVC/E for KERDI and the 826-2P or 828-2 for shower bases.
Best Freestanding Tub (2026)
The best freestanding tub for most homes is the Kohler Sunstruck K-6369. Compare acrylic, stone resin and cast iron by weight, floor load and drain rough-in.
Best Toilet Paper Holder (2026)
The best toilet paper holder for most baths is the Moen Align YB0408. Plus Delta and Kohler picks, ADA mounting height and distance, and the right anchors.
Moen 1248 Replacement
Confirm a Moen 1248 Roman-tub cartridge, distinguish 1258 handle mechanisms, choose the right pack count, and remove the retainer safely.
Symmons Temptrol Repair
Symmons Temptrol repair parts by symptom: TA-9 washers for drips, TA-4 seats, TA-10 spindle for all-hot or all-cold water, T-16 seals, and valve teardown.
Bathroom Exhaust Fans
Compare seven Broan bathroom fans by duct, airflow, sones and ceiling fit. Exact 688ES, AER80K and AE110L buying options, with warranty and retrofit limits.
Best Low-Profile Kitchen Faucets
Compare two low-profile Delta faucets by raised-handle height, backsplash clearance and hole count. Check pull-out versus side-spray fit before buying.
Best Delta Kitchen Faucets (2026)
The best Delta kitchen faucet for your sink: Lenta, Essa Touch2O, Leland, Finnridge and Nicoli compared by DIAMOND Seal valve, spray and supply lines.
Best Walk-In Shower Kits (2026)
The best walk-in shower kit for your space: DreamLine base, wall and door kits compared, with what is not in the box, drain side and 80-inch freight boxes.
Best Shower Panel Systems (2026)
Shower panel systems from PULSE ShowerSpas: thermostatic and pressure balance towers, a keep-your-valve option, stub-out heights and the code rule.
Best Wall-Mount Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Wall-mount kitchen faucets from maker sheets: Kingston Brass and Moen picks by inlet spacing, thread, reach and flow, plus rough-in and shut-offs.
Best Bar Sink Faucets (2026)
Bar sink faucets from maker sheets: Moen and KRAUS picks for wet bar and prep sinks, by hole count, reach, height and deck thickness.
Best Commercial-Style Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Commercial-style kitchen faucets from maker documents: KRAUS, Delta, Kohler and Moen spring-spout picks, height under cabinets, reach, spray and deck fit.
Best Touchless Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Touchless kitchen faucets from maker documents: Delta, Moen and KRAUS sensor picks, battery or AC power, deck and hole fit, and shorter electronics warranties.
Best Black Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Matte black kitchen faucets from maker documents: Moen, Kohler, KRAUS and American Standard picks, finish care rules, deck holes and supply fit.
Best Shower Pans (2026)
Shower pans from maker documents: DreamLine, Woodbridge, Transolid and Oatey picks, plus size, drain location, curb, mortar bed and Georgia code.
Best Brass and Gold Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Brass and gold kitchen faucets from maker documents: Kohler, Moen, KRAUS and Delta picks, what each finish warranty covers, cleaners to avoid, and sink fit.
Best Shower Systems (2026)
Shower systems with the valve in the box, from maker documents: Delta and Moen kits, pressure balance vs thermostatic, valve fit, anti-scald and flow.
Best Pot Filler Faucets (2026)
Pot filler faucets from maker documents: Moen, Delta, Kohler, KRAUS and Kingston Brass picks, reach and flow, the 1/2 in. stub-out, blocking and install.
Best Instant Hot Water Dispenser (2026)
Instant hot water dispensers from maker documents: InSinkErator and Moen picks, the under-sink outlet, sink hole size, cold line tee and first fill.
Best Kitchen Faucet Brands (2026)
Kitchen faucet brands compared from their own documents: warranty terms, cartridges, docking and touchless power for Moen, Delta, Kohler, Pfister and more.
Best Pull-Down Kitchen Faucets (2026)
Pull-down kitchen faucets compared by height, docking, hole size and flow rate: Moen, Delta, Kohler, Pfister and American Standard, from the spec sheets.
Dishwasher Supply Line and Elbow Size: What Fits the Inlet?
Dishwasher lines are 3/8-inch compression; the elbow is 3/8 MIP for a pipe-thread inlet or 3/8 x 3/4 hose for the garden-hose type. Whirlpool, Bosch, GE parts.
Read more: Dishwasher Supply Line and Elbow Size: What Fits the Inlet?
Washing Machine Outlet Box Valves: Which Part Fits?
Replacing the valves in an Oatey Quadtro, Centro or Eliminator or a Sioux Chief OxBox: match the tailpiece (F1807, F1960, copper, CPVC, compression).
Read more: Washing Machine Outlet Box Valves: Which Part Fits?
Stop Valves by Pipe Type: Compression, Sweat, PEX, CPVC
Which angle stop fits your stub-out: 1/2-inch nominal compression for 5/8-inch OD copper, FIP, crimp or expansion PEX barb, CPVC or press, 3/8-inch outlet.
Read more: Stop Valves by Pipe Type: Compression, Sweat, PEX, CPVC
Kohler Rite-Temp Trim: Which Valve Fits? K-304 vs K-8304
Kohler Rite-Temp trims are trim only for a Rite-Temp valve: the discontinued K-304-K/KS or the current K-8304. Identify the valve and its service parts.
Read more: Kohler Rite-Temp Trim: Which Valve Fits? K-304 vs K-8304
Delta Kitchen Faucet Hose Replacement: RP50390 vs RP44647
Delta spray hoses by faucet type: RP50390 (54-inch, DST pull-down) with the RP60911 clip, RP44647 (59-inch pull-out), RP32522 non-DST clip, RP31612 tube.
Read more: Delta Kitchen Faucet Hose Replacement: RP50390 vs RP44647
Delta Shower Trim Kits: Which Fit the MultiChoice Valve?
Delta 13/14, 17 and 17T trim kits are sold for the MultiChoice rough (R10000, after 2006), cartridge in the box. How to confirm your valve and pick the trim.
Read more: Delta Shower Trim Kits: Which Fit the MultiChoice Valve?
Moen Kitchen Faucet Hose Replacement: Which Hose Fits?
Moen spray hoses by connection type: 150259/202750 and 159560 for the built-in quick connect, 131381 and 137028 for the double quick connect, and what is gone.
Read more: Moen Kitchen Faucet Hose Replacement: Which Hose Fits?
Moen Shower Trim Kits: Which Valve Do You Have?
Moen trim kits only fit their own valve family. Tell a Posi-Temp, Moentrol, Standard or M-Core valve apart by the handle and screws, then buy the right trim.
Outdoor Faucet Vacuum Breaker Replacement by Brand
Which vacuum breaker kit fits your frost-free faucet: Woodford RK-17VB, RK-19VB, RK-22VB float kits and 34HA / 50HA add-ons, Prier C-144KT-806 and 630-7500.
Read more: Outdoor Faucet Vacuum Breaker Replacement by Brand
Prier Wall Hydrant Repair Kit: Which Kit Fits?
Prier repair kits by symptom: C-134KT-803 packing, C-134KT-802 bibb washer, C-134KT-805 handle, C-134KT-807 or C-144KT-807 overhaul, C-144KT-806 vacuum breaker.
Tub Spout: Slip-On vs Threaded, and Which Fits Your Pipe
Slip-on or threaded tub spout? Moen’s test: a set screw underneath means slip-fit on 1/2-inch copper; no screw means 1/2-inch IPS. Delta and Moen parts.
Read more: Tub Spout: Slip-On vs Threaded, and Which Fits Your Pipe