Faucets are not something that we usually think too much
about until they break. But when you do need one, there are many good ones
available. Here are some tips to help you get a quality faucet that will meet
your needs.
We see faucets everywhere but we seldom actually think about
them until we are forced to replace one that has been used past its useful life
or we are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom. If you are replacing or remodeling,
there are many types of faucets available to choose from to fit your personal
requirements. Modern faucets come with wide variations in design to cater to
special needs and of course there are many styles to add a touch of your own
personality.
Whether you are installing a new faucet in the kitchen or
bathroom, you will find many options at your disposal and your usage patterns will
determine which is the most appropriate choice for you and your home. For
example, many kitchen faucets will have a spray handle that will pull out to
allow you to wash dishes better and some have water filters built into them or
attachments for separate water filtration devices. If you haven’t already seen
one that you really like at a friend’s home or other place, do some research
online or at a nearby hardware store and you just might be surprised at the
options available these days. You can find many very function faucets that are
also stylish.
For bathrooms, the faucets are designed to serve different
needs than kitchen faucets, that is why the designs are so radically different.
But even within the class of bathroom faucets, there is still a lot to choose
from in terms of style and function. For example, a design with a higher
profile will make it more convenient to wash your hands. You can also find
faucets with filters for providing more pure water for when you brush your
teeth. Again, spend some time learning what is on the market.
One of the problems that have plagued faucets for a very
long time is the leaking that will occur after years of use. To prevent this
problem and have a worry free faucet, make sure to choose one that has a design
that does not use washers.
As with any purchase, the quality of the materials used in
the manufacturing process will determine just how durable and reliable your new
faucet will be on time. be sure to purchase a faucet that is made of brass or
copper to get a long life from the faucet you install. These faucets will look
great and last for a lifetime.
When choosing your new faucet, be sure to pay attention to
the existing mounting setup. If you replace a plain faucet with one that has a
different design and different mounting design, you will be in for a lot of
extra work. But if it is the faucet you want and you are handy with tools, go
for it.
With the advent of internet, it has become very easy for us to gain information about various topics with a single click, where it took hours of library research a couple years back. And in these days when every other guy is trying to save money fearing a layoff, it’s sensible to learn some basic stuff online that can help you fix common plumbing problems without hiring a professional. On of the most widespread plumbing issue is that of a leaking spigot. This article discusses some easy to follow tips to solve this problem.
First of all, shut off the water supply so that you won’t get soaked when you open the joints. Try to get an illustrated diagram of the tap and look at it carefully to under the system. A good number of faucet manufacturers provide illustrative diagrams online or may send upon email contact with them. In case you don’t have access to any such diagram, then disassemble the tap and keep all parts separate in their respective order of disassembly. This will help you install the tap quickly later. Else, you may later get confused about which part should come first.
For this article, we will be focusing on repair of compression faucets. There are typically two handles in these faucets. First, reflect on whether the leak is really in the handle. To begin with, it’s wise to block the sink stopper so that screws or other small components won’t accidentally fall into the drain. Then, you will have to remove the cap of the handle. Afterward, open up the screw inside and take off the handle. You can insert a screwdriver beneath the handle and push it upwards a bit to make this removal easier. However, make sure that you wrap some tape around the screwdriver to avoid any scratches around the base of the handle. In most cases, a leak inside the handle is caused due to loosening of the packing nut inside. If that’s true, simply make the nut tighter. Now turn on the water supply and see if the leakage has stopped or not. If you still find water leaking from the handle, the problem is probably with the O-ring. Take out the packing nut and install a new O-ring. This would ultimately stop the leakage if it’s originating from the handle.
Now if the leakage is in the spout, you will need to disassemble that. Take off the screw from the stem. You will find a washer there. Most probably, this washer might have torn out with time so replacing it with a new one may solve the problem. But while you are at it, it would be a good idea to slip in some abrasive pad into the valve and clean it from the inside. You can also insert your finger there to see if the surface is rough anywhere, which usually indicates some damage.
While it’s not very hard to fix a leaky faucet, a beginner can still make mistakes. So prior to starting this task, keep some plumber’s contact info with you
, so you can call him in case of an emergency.