*
I need to buy a kitchen faucet for our remodel and boy am I confused! I want a single lever style, but whether to get a pull out spray or one with a separate spray is new to me. The last time I bought a faucet was about 13 years ago.
Here are my 3 questions:
1. What is your experience with the service and reliability of the following brands of kitchen faucets (please add a brand you recommend if you’d like): Kohler, Moen, Delta, American Standard, Blanco, Newport Brass?
2. Do you prefer pull-out sprays, or a spray that is separate from the water spout?
3. I’m learning that faucets now come “washerless” with some kind of ceramic disk. Is this a good thing? Is it more expensive to repair due to the parts?
Replies
*
1. The brands you mention are all (mostly) good quality. I'm not familiar with Blanco or Newport Brass, so I can't comment on those. Price Pfister is another brand to consider, but acording to some here PP faucets are best considered, well, "PeePee". Most major brands now offer some pretty decent (like lifetime) warranties too, at least for finish. Verry good, especially if you go for a polished brass look.
2. Personal preference, as far as I am concerned. Provided the pull out spray can reach as far as the stand alone spray, and do everything the stand alone does, I don't see the advantage for stand alone. The pull out spigot offers a cleaner look, IMHO, but others may not like 'em.
3. Yes, washerless faucets are a good thing. As I recall from when I used to sell faucets and things, all the higher end stuff was washerless. You actually might have trouble finding a decent faucet that isn't. When they do go bad, it's about $10-15 bucks for a cartridge, but they don't go bad nearly as often as washered faucets. There's less that can go wrong on ceramic disc faucets than the older types.
(I feel it prudent to warn you I am not a plumber or contractor, just an avid DIY, and it's been 5 years since I was in plumbing sales.)
*Speaking from my experience as a plumber. I have installed a lot of different brands of pull-out spray faucets. The brand I have found to be the most reliable is the Grohe. Not to say some of the other manufacturers you mentioned don't make a reliable pull-out, its just a lot of the early pull-outs had problems. And I have leaned my customers to the grohe for the past few years. So I don't put the other brands in much anymore, so they could have fixed some of the problems they had and have a better faucet now.
*I would have to agree with Kevin, Grohe makes a quality faucet. Chicago Faucet makes bullet proof fixtures as well.http://www.chicagofaucets.com/home800.htmlhttp://www.grohe.com/
*I have nothing to add to # 2 & 3. Sound advice. I have one other comment. Delta parts are readily available which is good if you need repairs.
*We have enjoyed Grohe in our home for 12 yrs now and have used many in the kitchen remodels I have done. Finish and guts have all lasted with just an o-ring on the sprayer faucet needing replaced. The supplier gave me a new head, instead. Several style of Moen have been trouble free also. Delta, same thing. Had some problem getting sprayer head pts on a Blanco (good looking styles available). All these bought from plumbing supply not discount houses. Any problem with anything from the supply house and it's taken care of. Don't feel like battling with a trained associate. I continue to recommend Grohe, Moen and Delta as they seem to last.
*Personally, I prefer a separate hose for spray; the pull out looks neat but is more effort each time you want to use the pull out. Each little bit of extra effort adds up quickly.
*First, I prefer a seperate spray head - it allows more water volume from the spout itself.Second, I'm having trouble with a Newport Brass model. Paid $1500+ discounted through the plumber and it's been a pain ever since. It has this fancy antiqued nickel finish. Well it appears that inside the faucet assembly this finish keeps breaking off in small pieces and plugging up the innards while causing a high pitch whine. The plumber has replaced the unit twice (3 in total) and the problem keeps occuring. The plumber is so disgusted that he won't take my calls anymore. I'm about ready to pull the damn thing out and replace it with a Grohe or Delta.
*DeeVee-As a professional handyman, I get to see and repair a lot of faucets. Delta, Peerless and Moen are the most popular brands I see. The first two use the ball and socket method of control and replaceable seats and springs. They seem to require a little more repair for spout leaks, but, are easy and cheap to fix. I do have occasional problems with the diverter part on the ones with the separate spray head. I like the Moen, the cartridge is usually long lived and replaceable for less than $20. I have installed several of the new pull out types and the customers seem to be pleased with them. And, it eliminates the diverter part all together. The Grohe faucets seem to be well made, but, parts don't seem to be as readily available and are not budget priced. The local plumbing house likes to recommend Gerber faucets and I've had good luck with them, too. Ceramic faucets are especially good if you have grit in the water, the ceramic material is harder than the grit and just grinds it up.Just remember, you get what you pay for, stay away from the lower priced units or you'll be replacing it again too soon. In the KC area, a chrome finished name brand faucet, single handle for a kitchen will set you back around $75. More than that buys more cosmetics, ie fancy looks, fancy finish etc. So, a lot of the decision depends on your check book and any special needs. Good luck!
*I know a lot of people like Moen. I don't. Not exactly sure why but I think it has more to do with their cheaper lines being crap. Also the pressure balancing Tub & Shower valves have needed lots of repairs. Nearly all of them get stiff in a year or so. I personally find Moen a pain to service compared to Delta for example..Am I alone in this or....BTW, just because you or your brother has one and likes it means nothing to me. Unless you see as many faucets as I do you really don't get a good picture of what I am talking about. PS Peerless is a cheaper version of Delta. Made in the same factory by the same people! It is the homeowners line.
*I like the pullout "sprayer" style. It also works in several other modes. When it is out I can use it in the non-spray mode to fill large pots. And when it is in the spout I can put it in spray mode when I am cleaning vegies.
*
I need to buy a kitchen faucet for our remodel and boy am I confused! I want a single lever style, but whether to get a pull out spray or one with a separate spray is new to me. The last time I bought a faucet was about 13 years ago.
Here are my 3 questions:
1. What is your experience with the service and reliability of the following brands of kitchen faucets (please add a brand you recommend if you'd like): Kohler, Moen, Delta, American Standard, Blanco, Newport Brass?
2. Do you prefer pull-out sprays, or a spray that is separate from the water spout?
3. I'm learning that faucets now come "washerless" with some kind of ceramic disk. Is this a good thing? Is it more expensive to repair due to the parts?