Faucets: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What are the types of faucets?
There are various classifications of faucets. The main one can be considered the separation by purpose. According to this criterion, such models are distinguished:
- Kitchen faucets. Main features — high and movable spout, predominantly single-lever control, countertop installation. Among kitchen models, versions with a drinking water tap, flexible spouts, and pull-out sprays are also found.
- Washbasin faucets. They are characterized by a small straight spout with tabletop or built-in installation, often featuring a bottom valve. A separate variety is the universal faucets, which are used for both sink and bath. They have a long spout that can be turned for hand washing or filling water for bathing.
- Bath faucets. The main features of such devices are a short, fixed spout and compatibility with a handheld shower (the showerhead may or may not be included). Among additional functions, automatic shower/bath switching is in high demand.
- Shower faucets. They generally have no spout at all as they are intended only to deliver water to the showerhead. They imply wall-mounted or built-in installation.
- Bidet faucets. Two main varieties of such models are distinguished. Classic solutions are faucets with a short spout for bidet installation. The second variation is models for a hygiene shower and installation next to the toilet.
You can read more about choosing models by purpose in the relevant section of our material "How to Choose a Faucet."
Another popular classification criterion is the control method.
The most common types of faucets include:
- Single-lever. Here, both pressure and temperature are controlled by one control element. The most common option today.
- Double-handle. They have two "wings," one of which regulates hot water supply and the other cold water.
- Thermostatic. Such faucets have a thermostat — a device that controls and maintains a stable temperature. Users are usually offered 2 controls — one for dispensing water or setting pressure and the other for temperature regulation.
- Touchless. Technological faucets with motion sensors that automatically supply water and cut it off.
More rare varieties can also be highlighted by the type of control — elbow, portion, push-button. You can read more about all these devices in the relevant section of the material "How to Choose a Faucet."
Models can also be classified by mounting method or manufacturing materials. We will not dwell on these varieties in detail. Just note that depending on the installation option, all faucets can be divided into wall-mounted, countertop, floor-standing, and built-in. In terms of body materials, brass, silumin, steel, and plastic models are primarily distinguished.
2. What is a thermostatic faucet and why is it needed?
A thermostatic faucet is a device that automatically adjusts and maintains the desired water temperature. An integrated thermostat mixes hot and cold water in the correct proportions.
How does this work? Simple thermostatic faucets do not have electronics and therefore do not require additional power sources — connection to the electrical network or use of batteries. The thermostat in such cases provides a cylinder with wax content. It is the wax that reacts to temperature changes: it expands when temperatures rise and contracts when they fall. At the same time, the wax cylinder is located next to a movable valve and displaces it when volume changes occur. This, in turn, affects the ratio of hot to cold water delivery. Thanks to such operation principle, the user-defined temperature setting is maintained.
Faucets with a mechanical thermostat usually have two rotary handles. One allows you to set the temperature, and the other simply turns the water on or off or even adjusts the pressure intensity.
In models with electronics, the thermostat requires additional power. This may include a temperature sensor within the design and a display with controls on the faucet body.
Why is a thermostatic faucet needed?
- To easily regulate temperature and maintain its stability with minimal effort from the user.
- To prevent the supply of too hot water and even burns (this is especially relevant for families with children). Thermostats have a boundary upper value that does not cause discomfort.
- To save water. Thermostatic faucets reduce overall consumption.
All of the above makes models with thermostats an excellent choice for showers and baths, and sometimes for washbasins and bidets.
To conclude, note that a thermostatic faucet is not a panacea for cold water in the first few seconds after turning it on. The reason is the cooled remains in hot pipes.
3. What does the throughput capacity of a faucet depend on?
The amount of water that a faucet delivers per unit of time (usually per minute) is determined by various factors. First and foremost, the following affects flow capacity:
- Faucet purpose. Thus, kitchen and washbasin models usually consume less water. Among them, you can find the most economical faucets with a flow capacity of up to 5 l/min, which is usually enough. Average consumption is for shower models. And the highest flow capacity is needed for bath faucets, whose main task is to quickly fill the bathtub with water. Flow consumption in these models usually exceeds 15 l/min, sometimes approaching 50 l/min.
- Type of shut-off element and its dimensions. As a rule, two-handle faucets use ceramic valves. Their flow capacity typically does not exceed 25 l/min. In single-lever models, ceramic cartridges are more often used. Here, water consumption directly depends on diameter and height. For example, for a 25 mm size, flow capacity does not exceed 12 l/min, and for a 50 mm size, 25 l/min.
- Presence and condition of the aerator on the spout. This structural element initially serves to reduce water consumption and "mix" air. Rust from pipes and scale often clog aerator holes, reducing the faucet's flow capacity. However, water hammer and other mechanical damage, including pressure surges in the system, can damage the device and increase water consumption.
Also note, external factors, including the floor your apartment is on, water supply system pressure, pump performance (if water is from a well), pipe condition, etc., also influence the flow capacity of a faucet.
4. What material of the faucet is better to choose?
Brass — an alloy of zinc and copper — is considered the most balanced material for making faucet bodies. Hence, if you need a quick answer to "what's the best choice," it's a "brass model." This type of faucet has the following strengths:
- Good strength level adequate for household applications;
- High resistance to corrosion processes;
- Wide range of models available;
- Reasonable cost.
Faucets made from other materials generally have fewer advantages and more drawbacks. For example, cheap plastic and silumin faucets are unreliable and less durable, failing more quickly. Stainless steel faucet models are often slightly more accessible but may exhibit poorer corrosion resistance, especially if manufacturing defects are present. Meanwhile, other materials, such as copper or bronze, are more expensive and tend to lose their initial appearance over time.
5. Which faucet coating is more durable?
Many types of coatings on modern faucets are characterized by high durability and can promise a lengthy service life. But in practice, longevity also depends on manufacturing quality, and ideally, the applied surface layer should be even and smooth without sags, damage, or color fluctuations.
A relatively inexpensive and durable faucet coating is chrome. An even more extended service life is provided by an exterior layer of the following materials, though this increases the product's total cost:
- Stainless steel (no additional coating if the body is also steel);
- Granite;
- Brass;
- Copper;
- Nickel;
- Gold plating.
Chrome and stainless steel coatings can be considered the most balanced in terms of price and quality (durability).
6. On which faucet is limescale not visible?
Residue, water and detergent stains, fingerprints, and other dirt are less noticeable on faucets with the following coatings:
- Matte chrome;
- Matte stainless steel;
- Granite;
- Painting — preferably white with matte surfaces;
- Nickel.
In general, if you want to keep your faucet clean longer and make typical dirt less noticeable, you should prefer non-reflective matte surfaces over shiny glossy ones.
7. How long does a faucet last on average?
The average lifespan of quality faucets is 10 years or more. However, such longevity does not extend to the simplest and most affordable silumin or plastic models. On the other hand, with brass faucets, a 10-year service life is more of a minimum standard in the absence of force majeure circumstances. In most cases, a quality material product maintains integrity and functionality much longer, where only original shut-off valves may require earlier replacement.
Note that service life also directly depends on operational loads. For example, a kitchen faucet is used frequently, so it wears out slightly faster. A good durability indicator for it is 10 to 15 years. In contrast, shower and/or bath faucets are used less often, thus offering a resource of 20 years or more under otherwise equal conditions.
8. What warranty is usually given on faucets?
Most popular and well-known brands in the plumbing market (Grohe and Hansgrohe, Bianchi, Blanco, Teka, etc.) offer a 5-year warranty on their faucets. For models made of brass and stainless steel, these terms can be considered reasonable. Specific warranty conditions may vary, sometimes limiting corresponding obligations only to the body rather than shut-off valves.
Some manufacturers offer even longer warranties, such as 7 or 10 years. For example, the brand Valvex attracts attention to its most reliable faucets with 25-year warranty commitments.
9. Why does water drip from a closed faucet?
Faucet leaks often occur due to wear of shut-off valve components or clogging. Water may drip when the tap is closed if gaskets and seals fail to ensure tightness. Typically, the solution is replacing the worn component. However, even a new shut-off valve can sometimes be lost.
Less commonly, leaks are caused by cartridges clogged with rust or various deposits. In this case, removing and rinsing the valve with water should help eliminate the issue. Moreover, it is recommended to use main filters before plumbing fixtures.
Other causes of loss of tightness include defects and mechanical body damage, faucet mounting looseness, or installation errors.
10. Which faucet hoses are better?
Special hoses are used to provide flexible faucet water connections. Today, both rubber tubes with braiding and bellows-type metal corrugated tubes are popular.
Which hose is better? The bellows-type connection is considered the most reliable. The tube is made of stainless steel, designed for pressures up to 20 atmospheres, can withstand high temperatures (over 100 °C), and usually lasts over 10 years.
A reliable alternative to bellows hoses is a reinforced connection based on rubber tubes. If stainless steel or polymer (nylon) threads are used as braiding, durability can range from 10 to 15 years. Nylon reinforcement is also a plus, offering high pressure tolerance, temperature fluctuations, and oxidation resistance.
When choosing faucet hoses, also consider temperature indicators. Cold water connections usually have blue stripes on the braiding and are designed for temperatures up to 35 °C. For hot water, either profile (with red lines) or universal (both red and blue) hoses should be used. These are rated for temperatures up to 90 °C. To avoid confusion, it's best to buy two universal tubes. This approach also protects against emergencies in centralized water systems, where due to pressure drops, hot water may end up in cold pipes.
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