From the early
days of cavemen cupping their hands in a running stream,
to the sophisticated Roman aqueducts, to today’s
multi-functional and space-age finished bathroom faucets, our
water delivery systems have come a long way. In fact,
plumbing technology has reached the point where most of
today’s well-constructed faucets should give you years
of worry-free performance. So, what should you look for
when you’re overwhelmed, staring up at that big faucet
display at your local showroom or retailer? And how do
you keep your new faucet in working order once you get
it home?
“There are
three main reasons people purchase new faucets,”
according to David
Lingafelter,
Moen Incorporated Vice President, Faucet Marketing and
Product Development. “Obviously, a key one is new home
construction. The second is when they take on a kitchen
or bath remodeling project, and the third is when a
repair becomes necessary -- usually because a faucet
breaks down or just wears out.”
The
following are the most commonly asked questions about
faucet selection, installation and maintenance. Follow
the advice given here and you will not only know how to
select a quality faucet, but you will also know how to
get the most out of it:
Why
do some bathroom faucets cost more than others?
Not all
bathroom faucets are created equal -- some are simply
made better than others. Look for faucets constructed of
copper, brass and other high quality materials. These
bathroom faucets will usually give you superior looks as
well as performance and durability. And while you may
pay a bit more for a quality faucet, here’s where that
old adage comes true, because when it comes to plumbing
products, you really get what you pay for.
What are the key features I should look for in a
bathroom faucets?
Today’s
bathroom faucets do more than just regulate the flow
of cold and hot water into your sink. Look for the
latest modern conveniences. In the kitchen there are
many available features, such as pull-out or pull-down
sprays, water filtering systems and a variety of
designer styles and finishes. In the bath, style is
usually the driver of choice (traditional, country,
contemporary; single or two-handles), and many times the
bathroom faucet is available with matching accessories
(towel bars, paper holders, robe hooks), to create a
“suite” look in the overall bath.
A new
feature for bathrom faucets installation -- for those
people tired of going under the sink -- is Moen’s M-PACT
system. It offers a revolutionary new common valve
architecture allowing you to upgrade the style or finish
of your faucet by simply unscrewing and replacing the
handle and spout trim.
Will any new bathroom faucet fit my existing sink?
Standard
size sink and faucet dimensions are used throughout the
plumbing industry, which should make your job of finding
a new faucet easier. Most faucet manufacturers offer a
wide selection of faucets for any kitchen or bath
setting. To determine what type of faucet you need in
the kitchen, you should count the number of mounting
holes you have under your sink. Your sink can have up to
four holes and may be difficult to see from the top of
the sink if they are covered by an existing faucet and
deck.
In the
bath, the faucet is typically set in either 4” or 8”
width configurations. In the 4” set you can have a
centerset or mini widespread setup; if it’s 8” or more,
it is known as a widespread set. When you choose your
new faucet, you can change styles, but will have to stay
with the same size, or replace the sink if you want to
switch.
Will my existing water supply lines fit a new bathroom
faucet?
The first
thing you need to determine is the size and type of
water supply lines you currently have. Water supply
lines can vary, but the most common sizes are 3/8” and
1/2”. Supply hook-ups also vary but typically are made
of flexible plastic, standard copper, flexible braided
and corrugated copper. The best thing to do once you
find out which size and type of line you have is to shut
off the water and bring in the pieces to your local
hardware or DIY store to find the faucet that will work
best with your particular configuration.
What type of finish should I look for and how do I clean
my bathroom faucet?
If you’re
choosing a bathroom faucet with a polished brass
or specialty finish, look for one like Moen’s LifeShine
non-tarnish finish which won’t pit, corrode or discolor.
With so
many products on the market today claiming to offer
superior cleaning power, it can get confusing to know
which one is best. For cleaning bathroom faucets,
avoid products that contain abrasives or harsh
chemicals. They can scratch your bathroom faucet
and take away some of its original beauty. In fact, the
old-fashioned way may still be best -- simply use warm
water and a damp cloth.
Can
I really replace a bathroom faucet myself?
Unless you
have a difficult or unique installation, replacing a
bathroom faucet can usually be done on a
do-it-yourself basis. All you really need are the right
tools, good judgment and a little time to devote to the
project. To make your installation job easier,
manufacturers usually provide easy step-by-step
illustrated instructions with all bathroom faucets.
If you need further assistance, check the faucet package
to see if there is a toll-free helpline to assist in
plumbing installations. Or, many manufacturers will have
installation information posted on the company Web site.
www.moen.com offers helpful assistance on both faucet
selection and installation.
Can
I replace a two-handle model with a single-handle
faucet?
In most
cases, yes. In both the kitchen and bath, mounting
hardware and other flexible hookups will let you replace
two-handle models with a single-handle faucet. If you’re
concerned about existing holes in the sink, single
handle faucets are available with deck plates (also know
as escutcheons) to provide an attractive covering.
I’m
concerned about the quality of my drinking water --
should I choose one of these filtering faucets?
More than
$7 billion was spent on bottled water last year, yet one
of the most convenient ways to get great tasting water
is available at the touch of a button. There are a
number of filtering faucet systems now available, in
either pull-out or fixed spout models (several even
install the same way as a regular kitchen faucet), or as
separate water dispensers that affix to the sink. Either
way, these will save you time running to the store as
well as significant money over bottled water in the long
run.
These tips
should help you choose the right bathroom faucet for your next
remodel or repair and provide you with years of
attractive, convenient “water delivery”.
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