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Does it Matter the Type of Faucet I Buy? After All I Have Granite Countertops, Isnt That Enough?

Kitchens and bathrooms have become the sole largest selling point in houses today. It is not uncommon for the simplest tract home to have a $60,000 kitchen remodel and the surprising thing for us old timers is that this investment returns dollar for dollar(if not multiples above) in appraised value of the home as well as esthetic influence to the new buyer. In this remodel the current trend is to stainless steel appliances, granite or at least solid surface counter tops and the ultimate in style, design and finish in fixtures.

There a literally hundreds of choices when it comes to bathroom and kitchen faucets . These choices can range in cost from below $100 to into the $1000’s with the emphasis invariably being on style or design as opposed to function. In past days if you turned the faucet and you got water then you considered it was better than going out to the well and pumping. If the water got hot it was a miracle. Yes folks I’m just about old enough to remember those days.Today is it the latest style? Polished nickle, stainless steel or oil rubbed bronze? Does the soap dispenser match? Soap dispenser? How does a faucet match the bar of Ivory soap laying on the drainer?

Then there was the leaking. If you had enough strength to turn the knobs hard enough then you got no leaks. Good news, today, is that all, except the cheapest faucets, can last a lifetime and rarely leak and many come with lifetime replacement guarantees either for parts or sometime even for full replacement of the faucet. I read in a discussion forum, 2 weeks ago, that a customer had called Moen to hopefully get some replacement parts for a faucet that was 17 years old. The customer service person regretted to inform him that the parts for that faucet had long since become unavailable so they were just going to send him a brand new faucet. Take a little time and find a faucet that you like since it's going to be with you for a long time. So we CAN take less time worrying about leaks and more about quality finish, style etc.

Even with this newly found carefree attitude you still need to understand what to look for to get the best product and to understand the function of a faucet so that if and when something does go wrong you can understand and not panic and head for the closest big orange box. A faucet consists of three parts, a valve that controls and directs the flow of water, a handle(s) or knob(s) and a spout. You can choose a faucet that gives you hot and cold water separately or in the single faucet models easily mix the two to give you the optimum temperature.  These faucets contain a mixing valve that blends the hot and cold water before it ever reaches your hands.
There are four kinds of valves: compression, cartridge, ball, and ceramic disc. The last three are referred to as "washerless" valves. If you are buying a modern bathroom or kitchen fixtures , you'll be buying a faucet with one of these three valves. How come? Because most manufacturers are building washer less valves that are reliable and don't drip. If you are into the look or feel that you need older style/designed kitchen and bathroom faucets, you will find it more difficult because they use compression valves that latter leak over time and have to be replaced. Thes e valves are the oldest technology and the least expensive. Turning the handle raises and lowers a stem. At the base of the stem is a rubber or plastic washer. It usually wears out over time and the faucet will leak. Special tools are needed to effect repairs on these types of faucets an along with the other inherent problems are more the reason to shop for better quality.
Cartridge valves, invented by Moen Faucets, enabled the invention of that single lever faucet I mentioned earlier.The cartridge controls the mixing of water temperatures. Cartridge valves last a long time, but will have to be replaced. How long they last depends on what kinds of materials are used in the cartridge. They may be plastic, metal. plaster , or ceramic which will last a long time.
The ball valve is an innovation of Delta Faucet. It is also used in Peerless and Brizo faucets and works like a cartridge. Current ball valves are stainless steel and nearly indestructible.
Ceramic valves are a European innovation. It's actually two slotted ceramic disks that rest against each other. One rotates to control temperature and raises and lowers to control volume of water. This valve eliminates the rubber entirely. The water-tight seal is provided by the disks that are polished to near perfect flatness. Look for these on Price Pfister faucets as well as most European brands such as Grohe. Faucets with ceramic discs are reliable and easy to use. Faucets that use ceramic disc valves are used in mid-range and high-end styles-faucets. If repair is ever needed, the entire ceramic-disc cartridge is replaced. A faucet with a washer less ceramic disk valve cartridge will be drip free. In fact, look for the words 'washer less" on the  faucet packaging. How do I decide which to buy? Here are the things to consider in making your choice

.Choose your budget. Remember there are wide variables to consider when it comes to cost.  Even if you go for a more expensive European faucet, such as Grohe, my personal favorite (I drive a Mercedes why wouldn’t I want the equivolent in my kitchen?) you'll find many deeply discounted on the  internet websites. No matter how much you decide to spend, look for the following things in a faucet

A). Ceramic or Metal Cartridge
Look for a ceramic cartridge, ball or disk valve faucet if it is in your budget. If not, look for stainless steel and brass since they also last a long time.
If in doubt about a faucet, go to the manufacturer's web site and find the replacement parts list for your faucet. It will usually tell you the actual materials used in the valve. If not, use the toll-free number and call the manufacturer's customer service department. If you do buy a faucet with a plastic cartridge, go ahead and get the replacement cartridge now — you'll need it eventually.

B). How easily does the faucet operate?
I have found that in my older age some faucets just arent as easy for me to push or pull. The same can apply if you have small children at home.

C).Ease of cleaning

Nooks and crannies are great on English muffins but can make them difficult to clean

D). Say no to Plastic

 Look for brass or some metal construction and avoid a plastic on handle. Good faucets feel heavy and very solid. A Grohe sprayer, as an example feels heavy enough to be used as a weapon...LOL

E). Pay careful attention to the finish

Better quality faucets will have a more even finish and in many cases more layers of plating which adds years to the look of your kitchen or bathroom.

D). Guarantee?

What type of promises of warranty or guarantee comes with the fixture, many today do offer some form of “lifetime” guarantee at least for replacement parts.

About the Author

Im a retired disabled accountant with vast knowledge in the DIY area having built several houses and worked on my own projects for 30+ years. I spend most of my days reading and responding to over 30 forums and discussion groups.
I currently author and manage a blog site for a friend's builder supply business. I include personally written articles on the subject of home and home repair along with featured specials on products offered by the company

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