Our bathroom faucets (on two side-by-side sinks) are failing (impossible to turn off entirely) and we have been told by three different plumbers over the years that they cannot be repaired. Apparently they are some whacko Italian brand that was installed 20+ years ago. So this means new faucets. I have read with interest the rationale for letting my current very honest plumber (previous guys retired) buy them for me at his plumbing supply house (vs Home Depot, Lowest, etc) and I am perfectly willing to do that. But if I go on the Delta site (since Delta seems so highly recommended here) I find some of the more attractive faucets listed as being available only from Home Depot or Lowes for the exact same price as faucets not so designated. Needless to say, I am confused. Are these the same plastic-filled junk faucets everyone here is complaining about? Do I just give my plumber a photo of the sort of faucet I want (this is an 83 yr old house and the current faucets are cross-handled with the little porcelain C & H like in the old days) and let him figure it out? Or what? Thanks.
how to specify faucet to plumber
- Thread starter ronke
- Start date
Redwood
Master Plumber
Interesting question...
If you tell the plumber what to install or, provide the faucet his guarantee will be limited on the product. You can't guarantee junk if that is what was specified.
Generally the actual water touching portion of the faucet comparing big box to supply house is the same stuff. However the trim and drain pieces may be substituted for cheaper plastic parts to meet the pricing requirements of big box.
They use on lav sink faucets a pop up drain assy. that IMHO is pure plastic junk!
If you tell the plumber what to install or, provide the faucet his guarantee will be limited on the product. You can't guarantee junk if that is what was specified.
Generally the actual water touching portion of the faucet comparing big box to supply house is the same stuff. However the trim and drain pieces may be substituted for cheaper plastic parts to meet the pricing requirements of big box.
They use on lav sink faucets a pop up drain assy. that IMHO is pure plastic junk!
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsor
Paid Advertisement
Basement_Lurker
One who lurks
It's unfortunate that some of the nice looking units from manufacturers are only available to the BBS that they have an arrangement with. It seems that everything is changing over to plastic internals as much as possible these days, which really sucks. However if you choose a reputable brand such as Moen or Delta, they will stand behind their product with a lifetime warranty for replacement parts.
hj
Master Plumber
- Messages
- 33,613
- Reaction score
- 1,057
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Cave Creek, Arizona
- Website
- www.terrylove.com
faucets
Sometimes it is like the big stores that offer to match anyone else's price on the SAME item, but when you check the same item elsewhere has a different model number so they do not have to price match. Faucets are often the same way. The model number changes to show the configuration that company asked for.
Sometimes it is like the big stores that offer to match anyone else's price on the SAME item, but when you check the same item elsewhere has a different model number so they do not have to price match. Faucets are often the same way. The model number changes to show the configuration that company asked for.
Jimbo
Plumber
1. I would be very surprised if you cannot find a commercially available model in essentially the same style as the particular model you see at the box store.
2. Welcome to Prop. 65. Much of the country has not been aware of California's lead law. It is been phasing in, hence the warnings on product containing brass parts. But it is now approaching full implemetation, and faucet will not be allowed to contain ANY brass in components which toucht the water. Delta is one of the first to be totally on the bandwagon, with what they call the Diamond Seal. It is a ceramic cartridge with a twist...diamond inpregnated for hardness. And the faucet comes with plastic integral supply lines. They had to do this by law, and other manufacturers will be on board soon with their own take on this.
You don't have to like our wacky CA laws, but since about 10% of the entire population of the US lives here, then as CA goes, so goes the country. Manufacturers generally will not make separate products for CA and "other". They did that for years with cars, but now I think cars are pretty much all alike.
2. Welcome to Prop. 65. Much of the country has not been aware of California's lead law. It is been phasing in, hence the warnings on product containing brass parts. But it is now approaching full implemetation, and faucet will not be allowed to contain ANY brass in components which toucht the water. Delta is one of the first to be totally on the bandwagon, with what they call the Diamond Seal. It is a ceramic cartridge with a twist...diamond inpregnated for hardness. And the faucet comes with plastic integral supply lines. They had to do this by law, and other manufacturers will be on board soon with their own take on this.
You don't have to like our wacky CA laws, but since about 10% of the entire population of the US lives here, then as CA goes, so goes the country. Manufacturers generally will not make separate products for CA and "other". They did that for years with cars, but now I think cars are pretty much all alike.
thank you all!
Since I am in California, too, I would be affected by Prop 65 in any case. I think I will just tell my plumber I would prefer Delta or Moen and maybe suggest non-binding models, and let him get me whatever he can find at our local Hirsch. Since the bathtub in the same room has the old fashioned faucets, it would be nice if the sinks could vaguely match.
Since I am in California, too, I would be affected by Prop 65 in any case. I think I will just tell my plumber I would prefer Delta or Moen and maybe suggest non-binding models, and let him get me whatever he can find at our local Hirsch. Since the bathtub in the same room has the old fashioned faucets, it would be nice if the sinks could vaguely match.
Nate R
Member
Jimbo
Plumber
It's the lead, but I don't know if they make any "No lead" brass. Up until now, prop 65 required a warning label :" Warning: the state of California has determined that if you drink from this faucet, you might keel over dead" but now we are getting into the advanced phase of the law where the lead is actually banned.
Similar threads
