About Cartridge Faucets

Cartridge faucets are a specific type of faucet. Faucets also are known as water valves or water taps. Cartridge faucets are a common feature in most homes today. It is vital to use properly functioning faucets to assist in the preservation of water. This type of faucet is easy to maintain or repair.

History

Faucets have come a long way since the original screw-down tap device was designed in 1845. The company, Guest and Chrimes, patented and manufactured it. The design was transformed to a gate valve (stop tap) faucet that performed better in low-pressure water systems. The first single-handle design was created in 1937 by a young Al Moen. Many changes were made to it before it sold in 1947. This style was customary by 1959 in millions of homes in America and around the world. Moen, Delta and American Standard have made numerous improvements to the faucet since this time. These are the top performers in the industry.

Significance

A cartridge faucet is simple to use and fix. The most common maintenance is replacing the cartridge located inside the handle. It is the only moving piece of the faucet. When a cartridge faucet begins to drip or leak, a cartridge change will most often take care of this problem. How to repair a cartridge faucet is detailed under the Ace Hardware link in Resources below.

Function

A cartridge faucet is a type of water tap. A tap (valve) is used to control the flow of water. This type of faucet has a movable stem cartridge that controls the flow. It is controlled with an up-and-down motion for water volume. Moving right or left adjusts the temperature. A cartridge faucet is used in bathrooms, kitchens and other sinks in both homes and businesses.

Types

Cartridge faucets can be either single or double handled. You can feel the difference of this type of faucet opposed to other styles. The appearance can be similar, but the inner workings differ. A cartridge faucet is smooth and constant. A compression faucet requires additional pressure to stop the water flow. The other two most commonly used faucets are the ball type and disc faucets. You can find numerous styles, manufacturers and parts for cartridge faucets in the Resource link for Faucet.com.

Features

Cartridge faucets consist of numerous parts. It has an O-ring to stop water from escaping through the faucet base. The aerator avoids splashing and aerates the water. A curved spout is used for water release and a body covers the cartridge and ring. The cartridge and stem are the inner workings of the faucet. The final parts include a handle and cover. There is a good illustration of a cartridge faucet in Resources in the Visual Dictionary.

Resources

• Ace Hardware -- Repairing Faucets and Valves
• Faucet.com -- Faucet Products
• Visual Dictionary -- Cartridge Faucet