When contemplating a new custom home or remodel of the kitchen or bathroom we think of fixtures, mostly the faucet. Hundreds of designs, features and finishes. Materials run from plastic, to cast zinc or machined or forged brass. Stainless steel is a principle material as well. Quality and preference are issues that can only be reconciled through research, including the opinions of the pros. Moen, Premier, American Standard, Price-Pfister, Kraus and Delta are all quality and familiar brand names. Style and finish is literally in the eye of the beholder. Of course, faucets need to blend with the bath or kitchen décor. Some prefer traditional chrome in antique styles with porcelain handles while others prefer pewter in sleek modern single lever motifs.
Kitchen Faucet Flow Rate
Flow rate is a consideration in states like California that have regulations for their regulations. But flow control is probably not a consideration for most. The only times it impacts the situation would be rinsing dishes or the shower. Dishwashers work on a fixed consumption rate and otherwise we fill the sink or tub, so flow rate rarely enters the equation of water utilization. Premier products generally have no flow restrictions and therefor are not California compliant. Price-Pfister are at the low end of serviceable equipment, but will still delivery reliable usage for many years. Moen and Delta have a generally positive reputation with high availability of parts for repair. Anything that is the least bit mechanical in nature will eventually wear out and need repair. It’s the interval between repairs that is of concern.
Best Tap or Faucet Material
The best quality fixtures are solid cast brass. Brass is easily machined or hot forged, a primary concern for faucet manufacturer and takes finishes well. Brass holds up well to water, even the hard variety with little corrosion. Plastic is strictly a low end, bargain material and tends to break easily and has a relatively short life span in comparison to metal. Zinc alloy sets somewhere between brass and plastic, probably much closure to brass for quality. It is die cast, minimizing any machining operations and holds up reasonably well. Gone are the rubber and fiber washers found in older fixtures, modern faucets use ceramic washers contained in a cartridge for the actual valve operations. Ceramic can be lapped to extremely tight tolerance measurable only by light waves. Ceramic is also very hard and long wearing and highly resistant to water, both soft and hard varieties. It seems then ceramic is the valve seating material of choice. Plastic kitchen sink drains hold up well, but quality drains in the kitchen are brass or stainless steel. In the bathroom, stainless steel or brass are the only real choices and usually come as part of the faucet kit.
Kitchen Faucet Aerators
Kitchen faucets have devices called aerator. This device adds air bubbles to the exiting stream to prevent splashing. They work well and are part of every kitchen faucet probably going back more than 50 years. They are removable allowing a surprising amount of adaptors, devices and fixtures to be added to the outlet. Laundry sink fixtures tend to be serviceable and regulating form to function some even incorporating the older fiber and rubber washers on the valve.
Residential Plumbers & Commercial Plumbing Contractors in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
Fixtures are an investment, usually a relatively long investment so choose carefully. You’ll have to live with your choice for a while. Orsack Plumbing Company offers plumbing fixture installation and other plumbing services.
