One of the fun things about a bathroom or kitchen remodel, even a small one, is picking out the new faucets. New faucets are much better than their older counterparts, as they’re safer, easier to use, and even Smart.Â
Some of the reasons people replace their faucets include updating their hardware during a remodel, changing tastes, and upgrading. A faucet can be corroded, cracked, or have lost its finish. Many have internal threads that can no longer be replaced when they’ve worn out. Or, the aerator threads can be worn down, or so mineral encrusted that no amount of cleaning will bring them back up to snuff.
Count the holes
The number of holes in the deck and the spacing between them should be measured before you shop. There can be from one to four holes in a sink deck. You might need an escutcheon to go around knobs or a sink hole cover to hide the ‘spare holes.’ A few homes have wall-mounted faucets, and if yours is one, you’ll want to stick with that option.
One handle or two?
A single handle is the most convenient option for mixing water, but some don’t like them because they want the control offered by two handles. Also, you can have a no-touch faucet that will turn itself on when it senses your hands just like those nifty ones in the bathroom at the mall. You can get a ‘touch’ faucet that will turn on and off if you touch it with any part of your body. That’s a great feature for new moms and people who have had their hands in something they don’t want on their faucet handle. You can also get a modification that allows you to tell your faucet to turn itself on, dispense one cup, or enough to fill the coffee pot.Â
Spout
The height and style of a spout depend on a few practicalities. If you have a window, shelf, or cabinet, you may not have the clearance for an arc-style faucet spout. But, having the space an arc affords is incredibly helpful, such as if you use the sink to clean large items. If you have a three-bowl sink, you’ll want a faucet that can reach all three bowls. You can also get a sprayer, either a side sprayer or one that is integrated into the faucet itself. If you get an integrated sprayer, you can turn the old sprayer hole into a soap dispenser. Integrated sprayers have proven themselves to be more reliable and less apt to leak than side sprayers.
The right finish
Usually, when a homeowner chooses a metallic finish for a faucet, it should be one that matches the other hardware in the kitchen or bath. Drawer pulls, towel bars, light fixtures, or any other metallic elements can be copied or complemented. If your faucet doesn’t match, it will look weird. While chrome is the most durable, some homeowners opt for black or white in the kitchen–either wrought iron black, matte black, or a glacier or ivory white.
Quality
A less expensive faucet is going to be a lower grade of quality. The wiser option is to pay a little more for a better-quality faucet without getting into the high-end faucets. If you opt for an expensive faucet, be very confident that the features it offers are ones you need. Otherwise, a middle-of-the-road price will probably get you a great faucet that will last a long time.
Installation
When installing your new faucet, follow the instructional manual, particularly about not over tightening specific components, which can split if they’re over-tightened and cause a leak or flood. Many people choose to forgo installing their faucets and the inherent risks and have us to it for them instead.
Royalty Plumbing offers high-quality residential plumbing services in the areas of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin.