The Basics of Kitchen Faucets

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Every kitchen needs a faucet. When it comes to selecting these staples, style is secondary. We all want to choose the one which is designed to survive very harsh conditions, including thousands of on-off cycles every year and hard water mineral build-up, and still give year after year of flawless service.

This article provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about faucet selection. Follow the advice given here and you will not only know how to select a suitable faucet, but you will also know how to get the most out of it. And from selecting a type to finish, there are plenty of things for you to consider when choosing your next kitchen faucet.

Know your valves: 

A valve is the part of the faucet that controls water flow. There are four types to look for: ball, cartridge, compression, and ceramic disk. Let's take a look at each type and gain an overview of how they work. Every type of faucet has an inner valve that controls the flow of water through the spout. The valve quality, with or without a washer, determines the reliability and durability of the faucet.

Ceramic disk valves:

Ceramic disk valves, identifiable by their single lever over a wide cylindrical body, are the latest development in modern faucet technology. This type is made up of two ceramic disks: one disk is stationary, while the other would move against it in a shearing action, blocking water or allowing it to pass through. The seal is watertight because the discs are nearly flat. While the most expensive, this is the most reliable valve, and it's less prone to breakage than some other kinds.

Ball valve faucets:

Ball faucets are very common in kitchen sinks and were the first type of washerless faucet. With rotating metal or plastic ball that regulates the flow of water, they are identifiable by their single handle which moves over a rounded ball-shaped cap right above the base of the faucet spout. A plastic ball will eventually wear out, but a metal ball is designed for longevity.

Cartridge valve faucets:

Cartridge faucets have a hollow metal or plastic cartridge insert that seals against the spout or faucet body. Depending on how a series of holes in the cartridge align with the stem, water is mixed and controlled. These faucets are very reliable, especially if equipped with a brass cartridge.

Compression valve faucets: The compression is very much your basic washer faucet, which works by means of a stem that rises and falls to open and close the water's passageway and requires you to tighten down (compress) the washer to close the water flow. These are the least expensive, but more prone to leakage.

Faucet Materials

Any material that will hold water can be used to make a faucet. Typically, faucets are made from low-corrosive metals: copper, bronze, brass, stainless steel, and zinc alloys.

Die-Cast Zinc Alloy

Faucets with die-cast zinc alloy bodies are less expensive. However, it is not as durable as brass and does not survive the hostile, corrosive environment of a faucet nearly as well as brass or stainless steel. It is not recommended when consider buying faucet.

Brass

Brass is by far the most recommended choice because of its toughness and ability to handle extreme temperatures. Yet composed of copper, zinc, and lead, brass faucets can leach tiny amounts of lead into drinking water, creating a health risk. To minimize this risk, the Safe Drinking Water Act requires faucet manufacturers to use no more than 8% lead in brass faucets. Manufacturers are working on techniques to further reduce the amount of lead in their brass.

Stainless Steel

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