3 Tips When Shopping For A New Faucet
Posted on: 6 October 2015
Household faucets get a lot of use--that's why, sooner or later, they end up needing to be replaced. When that time comes, many people find themselves intimidated by the vast array of options available today. If you are considering upgrading a faucet in your home, read on. This article will present three things to take into consideration before making your purchase.
Consider the reach
When shopping for a new faucet, many people become so caught up by the aesthetics of various models that they fail to consider the more practical aspects at play. Only when they return home and begin the installation process do they realize that the faucet they chose simply won't work. This usually comes down to two main problem areas: the height and the reach.
Spout height is only an issue for those who have shelving or cabinets installed above their sink. In that case, it is important to measure your clearance before purchasing a new faucet. If you've already got your old faucet disassembled, you can always just bring it to the store with you, so as to directly compare it with the different models available.
Reach is a less obvious problem which many people encounter. It is especially common for those with two or three basin sinks. If a faucet's reach is not great enough, it may not be able to supply water to all of the basins. Likewise, an excessively short reach can lead to a greater amount of water splashing up onto the counter behind the faucet, which can lead to leaks and other problems.
Avoid side sprayers
If you've ever owned a faucet with a side sprayer—one whose spray handle is mounted directly in the sink--than you probably already know what a pain they can be. From leaks, to poor water pressure, to hoses getting stuck, side sprayers are vulnerable to a wide variety of problems.
Those who are determined to buy a sink with a sprayer should consider pull-down sprayers instead. These consist of a flexible hose mounted inside the faucet spout itself--meaning the faucet head and the sprayer are one and the same. By avoiding problem-prone components like diverters and extra gaskets, these will lead to far fewer problems as the years go by.
Know your counter's holes
When the time comes to upgrade, many people are excited by the opportunity to switch to a different style of faucet. For instance, you may choose to go from a two-handle faucet to a unibody model. But before you commit, be aware that such a change will leave you with extra holes in your counter top. Be sure that the single handle system you choose comes equipped with a special cover plate to mask any extra holes.
For more information, contact a company like Qualtire Plumbing & Construction.
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