When renovating or repairing the appliances in one’s home, many people forget about their faucets. They’re a necessary and functional part of the sink, allowing you to use running water to wash the dishes or brush your teeth. So it’s important to know what kind of faucet you have if you need to repair it or get a new one. Here are the four types of faucets on the market and what you should know about them.

The Ball Faucet

Most plumbers nampa have installed ball faucets in kitchens and bathrooms because of how versatile they are. They are washerless faucets that are easily identifiable by the single handle that moves around a ball shape to turn the water on and off. Though the exterior tends to be quite durable, the inner workings will need more maintenance than other types of sinks.

  • Pros: uses a single-handle faucet, is the most common type installed in kitchens and bathrooms, and is quite affordable.
  • Cons: tends to leak, has many complicated parts on the inside, and it can be difficult to pinpoint where a leak is coming from.

The Compression Washer Faucet

Compression washer faucets have been around since indoor plumbing was in demand. They are usually found in older homes, but there are updated versions typically used in utility sinks. They are the least expensive to buy, but they are not durable in the long term. Compression water faucets are easily identifiable by the separate hot and cold water handles, where you tighten them to turn the water off.

  • Pros: cheap, fits most styles of homes, easy to repair
  • Cons: uses old technology, higher maintenance than other faucets, prone to leaks

The Cartridge Faucet

The cartridge faucet is somewhat similar to the compression faucet; the biggest difference is the way the handles feel. With the compression, you have to keep turning the handle until the water is closed off; with the cartridge, you only need half a turn for the water to be off. There is no added pressure needed to turn the water off and on.

  • Pros: easy to fix, works smoothly, cartridges are pretty durable
  • Cons: cartridge seals can still fail, hard water deposits can block cartridges, cartridge replacement can be costly

The Disc Faucet

These faucets are the newest development in sink technology and are easy to recognize by the single lever over a wide cylindrical body. Both hot and cold water are inside a mixing chamber, and there are 2 ceramic discs that lower and raise in order to control water flow. Through side-to-side rotation, you can control the level of hot or cold water, making them quite versatile for use in the kitchen.

  • Pros: reliable, can withstand extreme temperatures, high quality
  • Cons: discs can break or erode over time, more expensive to repair, it can take time to get used to the feel of the faucet.

 Conclusion

Keeping this in mind, it’s important that you consult a professional plumber in your area to help you figure out the type of faucet you have and if it needs replacing.

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