Facts on Faucets

Faucets are used to control the flow of water, and come in a variety of styles, colors and prices. You can find them made from plastic for a very low price, or you can easily spend hundreds on them. There are single- and double-handled ones, along with faucets that are "hands free" and work off of sensors. The intricate parts of faucets play an important role in their durability and function. It is not so much who designed and manufactured them, but what materials were used in the making. It is extremely important to use properly working faucets to help in the conservation of water. A faucet can make a statement in both style and water preservation.

Significance

Faucets labeled "WaterSense" can cut the amount of water used in a house by over 500 gallons a year.

Features

Faucets with an "Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Approved" label are easier to operate than ones without this label.

Effects

A leaking faucet can waste more than 90 gallons of water a day.

Considerations

The longest lasting and easiest faucets to care for are ones with solid brass spouts and controls.

Warning

Faucets that are colored with paint or enamel come in a large variety of hues, but they will also easily become scratched or chipped.

Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency--WaterSense Statistics and Facts
• DIY Home Improvement--Faucet Facts
• This Old House--The Facts on Faucets
• Consumer Reports--Sinks and Faucets