What Type of Faucets Are There?
The styles of kitchen and bathroom faucets may seem limitless when you go to choose one for your home, but in actuality, there are four main types of bathroom and kitchen faucets. Each of these types channels the water through the faucet valve in a slightly different manner. These valves affect the cost of the faucet as well as how long you can expect it to last. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cartridge
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A cartridge faucet is a mixing faucet. The faucet valve mixes hot and cold water that comes out one spout. Depending on the model, a cartridge faucet may have one handle or it may have separate handles for hot and cold water. The hollow cartridge sets inside the spout. As you turn the handle, the holes in the cartridge align in a pattern that dispenses water at the desired temperature. Over time, the cartridge wears out and needs replacing. A dripping faucet is the prime indicator that the cartridge needs changing.
Compression
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A compression faucet often has two handles used to mix water to the desired temperature. In addition to kitchen and bathroom use, compression-type faucets are often the style installed in freeze-proof outdoor sillcocks. In order to open and close the faucet valve, the handle tightens and loosens pressure on a stem valve covered with a rubberized O-ring or washer. This O-ring may deteriorate as it ages and may need replacing.
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Ball
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Ball faucets have one handle. Inside of that handle there is a slotted ball that sets in a socket on top of a pair of springs. As you turn the faucet handle to the left or right for hot or cold water, the ball rotates inside the faucet's cap to mix the water to the desired temperature and dispense it out the faucet's spout. Leaks in this type faucet happen when one or more of the various seals or the mixing ball wears out.
Disc
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Disc faucets often come with a lifetime guarantee because they seldom need repair. A disc faucet has a cartridge made of a ceramic material that is extremely hard to damage, which is why these faucets are so durable. The upper part of the round disc cartridge opens and closes to mix the water, while the lower portion of the cartridge remains stationary. While leaks from the cartridge are rare, in some instances, the seals that hold the disc cartridge in place do sometimes fail. While the seals are inexpensive to replace, the ceramic cartridge is expensive.
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References
- Photo Credit faucet image by Lynne Davis from Fotolia.com
