Looking to replace my tired kitchen faucet, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any things to look for? I see some touting a "ceramic disc" valve, is
this a genuinely desirable feature or just marketing-speak?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?


Thanks for all input.

When we did ours we looked at features, manufacturers rep and price in
that order and did go with the ceramic disc vs rubber for longevity.

My last house had hard water and the ceramic disc faucet I put in
needed cartridges within a year. I ended up taking them out and
soaking them in vinegar overnight to stop the drip. Don't know if that
is common problem with ceramic or not.

My current house has ceramic in all but the slop sink and they are
great.

wrote...
Looking to replace my tired kitchen faucet, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any things to look for? I see some touting a "ceramic disc" valve, is
this a genuinely desirable feature or just marketing-speak?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?

"Ceramic disc" valves are relatively common these days.

I bought a Price Phister faucet (combination faucet/pull-out sprayer) a few
years ago. The on/off valve never leaked, but I've had to replace the
faucet/spray head twice. I wouldn't pay extra $$ for another.

This time I'm going with Kohler, per the recommendations of several plumbing
suppliers.

Seems like hard-water might be a concern for ceramics:

"...Newer ceramic disk valve faucets can be turned completely on or off
with the flick of a wrist, but they are susceptible to mineral scale
damage in hard water areas..."
From:
http://www.bathroomfaucets.us/

wrote:
Looking to replace my tired kitchen faucet, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any things to look for? I see some touting a "ceramic disc" valve, is
this a genuinely desirable feature or just marketing-speak?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?

You will not find quality in the under $100 price.
That said, 14 years ago I installed a Chicago faucet, separate hot and
cold with "wing" controls like a surgeon would hit with his elbows. But
the most important feature is the very high rise output pipe, like a
chem lab. It is chromed brass. $350.

wrote in message
, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?

Stick with the good brands like Delta or Moen. They have the same guts in
most of their models and are pretty reliable. Don't buy some cheapie look
alike or you will be replacing it in a few years.

I like the single handle for ease of use in the kitchen. Easy to adjust
flow and temperature with one hand. In the bath or shower, that is of less
importance

wrote in message
oups.com...
Looking to replace my tired kitchen faucet, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any things to look for? I see some touting a "ceramic disc" valve, is
this a genuinely desirable feature or just marketing-speak?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?


Thanks for all input.


I've been standardized on Price Pfister on all my rental units. I always get
the ceramic disc and single handle pullouts for the kitchen. Many of my
tenants are rough on equipment where something last 30 years with a
homeowner will only last a year or two with a tenant. Price Pfister so far
no problems (except for one but that was fixed) and service and tech support
are good. For defective parts, just pay for the postage and handling - they
don't even ask for proof of purchase.

I've make the mistake of getting a high end French kitchen faucet. It broke
within 6 months and parts only available from France and they don't or
refuse to speak English. That one went to the junk pile. Price Pfister from
now on and they haven't directed me to India yet for tech support or parts
order. Nothing against tech support from India except I don't understand
some of the spoken words. Had good luck with Delta and Moen too.

"Jack" n wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Looking to replace my tired kitchen faucet, wondering if there's any
particular advantage with the single handle integrated on the faucet
type -vs- the 2-handle hot/cold type as far as longevity and ease of
DIY repair?

Any things to look for? I see some touting a "ceramic disc" valve, is
this a genuinely desirable feature or just marketing-speak?

Any particular brands/models you'd recommend, particularly looking at
the under-$100 range?

Personally, I hate the pull-out PF that came with this place. I have
mineral-laden water, even with a softener, and the thing seems to lime up in
a month. Next time I see a Delta single-handle on the discount rack when
they change out the display units, I'll probably switch it back to a
seperate hose.

aem sends...

docsavage,

I've noticed all my plumbing buddies on the PLUMBING newsgroup
haven't offered any opinions, while the DIYers are full of ideas.

Just use the Delta or Moen faucets. They work in such a way as to
avoid compression of the pieces. Both single handle and double handled
styles work by cutting the water off, and they're both easy to repair.
Actually, most of the name brand faucets work just fine. Just avoid the
cheapies that are more plastic than brass. Some name brands, for my
money, are over-engineered with too many moving parts.

And what the DIYers should do is urge you to seek advice from the
plumbing newsgroup in the future, rather than offering their own
Anecdotal/amateurish ideas. Why, I've heard that even women are allowed
to offer advice on these groups!

"Mike Grooms" wrote in message
...
docsavage,

I've noticed all my plumbing buddies on the PLUMBING newsgroup haven't
offered any opinions, while the DIYers are full of ideas.



I'm sorry Mike.
Ya' know it was a holiday weekend.........

Mike is right, just stick with Moen or Delta and you'll be happier in the
long run. Price Pfister does make a good trotline weight though.:)



Bob Wheatley

Bob Wheatley wrote:
"Mike Grooms" wrote in message
...
docsavage,

I've noticed all my plumbing buddies on the PLUMBING newsgroup haven't
offered any opinions, while the DIYers are full of ideas.



I'm sorry Mike.
Ya' know it was a holiday weekend.........

Mike is right, just stick with Moen or Delta and you'll be happier in the
long run. Price Pfister does make a good trotline weight though.:)

I cannot recommend Delta. After a few years both of them began to drip
and finding the right kit to rebuild them was difficult. So, that's
the first thing you want to look for -- before you purchase the faucet.
Next, one Delta suffered pitted chrome on it after about 10 years.
Delta is the low end.

"Stubby" wrote

I cannot recommend Delta. After a few years both of them began to drip
and finding the right kit to rebuild them was difficult. So, that's the
first thing you want to look for -- before you purchase the faucet. Next,
one Delta suffered pitted chrome on it after about 10 years. Delta is the
low end.



.....And your credentials are.....?



Mine? A 30 Master licensed plumber.
Besides, you need to re-read the OP. The request _was_ for an inexpensive
ftg.



Bob Wheatley

Bob,

Now be easy on this guy. After all, we're not sure why he's called
"Stubby" (but I have a working theory).

Before buying a new faucet, find out how much replacement parts cost (for
fixing leaky faucet).

For old style faucets, the cost is maybe 20 cents for an old style "seat
washer"

For new style faucets, don't be surprised to pay $30.00 for a "cartridge".
Also don't be surprised down the road if they discontinue to manufacture the
cartridges for your faucet and you are forced to buy a new faucet.

"Mike Grooms" wrote in message
...
Bob,

Now be easy on this guy. After all, we're not sure why he's called
"Stubby" (but I have a working theory).


I'm bein' nice....
Was you tryin' to imply he is "short" sighted...? :)
Maybe "short" winded?
Perhaps "short" minded?
Or just "short"?


Bob Wheatley

I've been a homeowner since 1985 and I've lost count of how many
kitchen faucets I've had. I've tried all the major brands, and no
matter what, all the lever types I've had leak within a year or two.
Delta, P/F, Mohen, balls, ceramic disks, cartridges, expensive, cheap,
middle-of-the-road, etc. The only ones I've seen that didn't leak were
the ones w/ H and C knobs. Had one like that in a house I owned for a
few years and never had a problem w/ it.

steve

To me, the main consideration is the availability of parts.
If you go to a Home Depot or Lowe's, what "brand" parts do
they have in their plumbing repair display. The chances are
best that it's Delta and maybe some Price Pfister. I've
become a real fan of Delta as the best compromise between
price and quality. We had homes with different brands of
kitchen and bath hardware, including PF, Grohe and Delta.
Nothing has matched the day in and day out reliability of
Delta. I recently, finally, had a couple bath faucets drip,
so I rebuilt all faucets in the house. They were all Delta
and all parts were obtained with ONE trip to Lowe's, There
was no need to look up a plumbing supply house and try to
buy parts over the counter. There was no need to go from
one store to another looking for parts for less popular
brands. One stop got all the parts and everything was
rebuilt in under a couple hours.

Nonnymus

"3rd eye" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 31 May 2006 08:22:12 -0500, "Bob Wheatley"
wrote:

"Stubby" wrote

I cannot recommend Delta. After a few years both of them began to drip
and finding the right kit to rebuild them was difficult. So, that's
the
first thing you want to look for -- before you purchase the faucet.
Next,
one Delta suffered pitted chrome on it after about 10 years. Delta is
the
low end.



....And your credentials are.....?



Mine? A 30 Master licensed plumber.
Besides, you need to re-read the OP. The request _was_ for an inexpensive
ftg.



Bob Wheatley


Bob, & any other of the pros. Do you think that Groe is worth the
extra bucks?



I have used Grohe on a number of projects and it is fairly reliable once you
get it in (faucets stop up with debris too easily) but my biggest complaint
is they seem to be missing parts new out of the box more than any other
manufacturer that I have seen. That kills a contractor who needs to get the
work done. Most of my projects are commercial so I tend to use more
Chicago/Sloan/Symmons but I (my company) has installed thousands upon
thousands of Moen and their design and quality and dependability have made
them one of the premier competitive priced ftgs. on the planet.
I have Moen 4570CP lavatory faucets and a Delta 174 kitchen sink ftg. in my
own home. That's what I think of them.


Bob Wheatley

Mike Grooms wrote:
Steve,

Have you considered the problem may be with you and not the countless
faucets?

Another gold star for Mike for consistently high level of amusing
smart-assery.

MM

On Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:29:21 GMT, "Mark M." wrote:

Mike Grooms wrote:
Steve,

Have you considered the problem may be with you and not the countless
faucets?

Another gold star for Mike for consistently high level of amusing
smart-assery.

MM


Maybe but I was thinking the same thing, faulty installations.

"Mark M." wrote in
:

Mike Grooms wrote:
Steve,

Have you considered the problem may be with you and not the
countless
faucets?

Another gold star for Mike for consistently high level of amusing
smart-assery.

MM


I don't think he was trying to be funny.

Eric

rob wrote in :

On Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:29:21 GMT, "Mark M." wrote:

Mike Grooms wrote:
Steve,

Have you considered the problem may be with you and not the
countless
faucets?

Another gold star for Mike for consistently high level of amusing
smart-assery.

MM


Maybe but I was thinking the same thing, faulty installations.


Yeah!

Eric

On 05/31/2006 04:51 AM, * Stubby spake thusly:

I cannot recommend Delta. After a few years both of them began to drip
and finding the right kit to rebuild them was difficult. So, that's
the first thing you want to look for -- before you purchase the faucet.
Next, one Delta suffered pitted chrome on it after about 10 years.
Delta is the low end.


We've had a different experience.

Every faucet in our home a Delta faucet. They were all installed new in
1987. No problems whatsoever.

--
Scott
www.angrykeyboarder.com
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