Tips in Choosing a Faucet

So you have to pick a faucet. How hard can that be? The truth is that choosing a water dispensing fixture can actually get just a little bit confusing. Aside from the great many designs to choose from, there are also more practical technical concerns to take note of. Here are some tips to think of when you shop for faucets.

Check the Holes

Bathroom and kitchen faucets may have design differences. Some faucets just seem more fitting for one or the other. Design considerations aside though, both bathroom and kitchen faucets share common features. They are chosen according to their number of holes and the distance between their holes. Faucets can have one, two or three holes. They have to correspond to the number of holes on your sink. The distance between the fixture holes should also correspond to the distance between the holes in the sink.

Ask About the Valves

Before buying a faucet, ask what kind of valve it has. Valves control water flow. The oldest types are the rubber and ball valves. These have to be periodically replaced. Otherwise, leaks can become a common problem. State of the art faucets no longer carry these kinds of valves. If you buy new faucet models, you do not have to worry over periodic valve changes. Modern faucets however typically come at a steeper price.

Choose Fixtures that Save Water

These days, conservation should be on everyone’s minds. If you can help it, you should try to save as much water as you can. This is both to conserve limited resources and to help you reduce your water bill. One way to do that is to install aerators on your faucets. Aerators limit the quantity of water that comes out every time you turn on the tap.

One other alternative to aerators is to use modern automatic models. You get to conserve water with this type since it will only provide water flow exactly when you need it. It automatically turns off if the sensors don’t detect your hand or a basin underneath it.

Be Creative

You don’t have to be stuck on the available models. You can simply choose faucets based on your preferred finishes. They come in brass, chrome or enamel. You can then simply mix and match handles and bodies to get the faucet that specifically fits your taste.

Your faucet isn’t just a fixture. It is a crucial part of your bathroom basin or kitchen sink. Choose your fixture wisely.