When you are a home owner, some day, as a result of age and erosion, you'll need to replace the faucet for your shower or tub.

Because this sort of stuff occurs so seldom, it can certainly perplex us as to what to do and how to start.

However replacing the restroom shower faucet can be a rather simple task when you can be confident on which style to buy.

When shopping for your new faucets, you will see these four common types of faucets. It's helpful to know a little about each one so that you can make an informed decision as to which one to get.

Cartridge - These have a rather distinct look them to them as the knob used to release and stop water move up and down. Contrast this to the traditional ones that use knobs, which you have to turn left and right. To control the flow of water, these faucets have a movable cartridge within the stem. These don't require lots of maintenance and last a long time because there are less movable parts.

Compression - These are the oldest and most common types of valves. They have a stem held in place with a plastic or rubber washer, which nests into a metal (typically brass) seat. As you turn the knob left, the stem rises and allows water to flow. As you turn the knob right, the stem lowers and pushes the washer into the seat, stopping water flow. These faucets are inexpensive, and there's a reason for it. The washers often wear out and this causes leaks. They can be quick to repair, but special tools are required.

Ball Valve - These types of faucets are usually a one-handle setup. There is a ball with slots, one for hot water and one for cold water, inside the stem. As the handle is turned, water flows through these slots. Controlling the temperature is the result of how much hot and cold water flows from each slot as the handle is turned clockwise and counterclockwise. Water pressure is controlled with the up and down movement of the handle. These are very durable as they don't require washers to operate.

Ceramic Disc - These faucets have two ceramic discs inside the stem, one on top the other. When the faucet is turned all the way clockwise, the two discs are forced together, creating a water tight seal. When the faucet is turned counterclockwise the top disc rises, allowing water to flow. Ceramic disc faucets are preferred by many experts industry as they are highly durable due to the lack of moving parts and ceramic's ability to resist wear, tear, and erosion.