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296

I've needed to replace the kitchen faucet in the house for a while now. It's not repairable, it's just worn from 20 years of daily use.

I'm looking at things, seems like all of them leak or quit or are just crap. Those built-in spray head units are popular right now, I haven't found a one of those that doesn't have reviews like "pretty much lasts a year." The handles on the selector break off. The spray heads quit. They're partially plastic and the finish just comes off.

The old two handle units? Leaks, cheap ass metals corroding away quickly, even ones where the cartridges just snap and you can turn the handle 360°. Most put cheap-ass plastic lines directly on the units, so if you get a bad crimp or a hose that's bad, you throw it away.

The only ones I've found so far that won't break the bank are mid-grade commercial units. They're not pretty, but they're made from brass just like the old ones. That's probably going to be the one.

I've needed to replace the kitchen faucet in the house for a while now. It's not repairable, it's just worn from 20 years of daily use. I'm looking at things, seems like all of them leak or quit or are just crap. Those built-in spray head units are popular right now, I haven't found a one of those that doesn't have reviews like "pretty much lasts a year." The handles on the selector break off. The spray heads quit. They're partially plastic and the finish just comes off. The old two handle units? Leaks, cheap ass metals corroding away quickly, even ones where the cartridges just snap and you can turn the handle 360°. Most put cheap-ass plastic lines directly on the units, so if you get a bad crimp or a hose that's bad, you throw it away. The only ones I've found so far that won't break the bank are mid-grade commercial units. They're not pretty, but they're made from brass just like the old ones. That's probably going to be the one.

(post is archived)

[–] • 2 pts

IIRC @Twodivinehipsters has had issues with a faucet replacement too.

[–] • 2 pts

I can believe it. It's hard to believe how junk this stuff is.

I found an old-school Moen commercial unit. It's not cheap, but it's just two cartridges and a tube. That's probably what I'll use.

[–] • 2 pts

Mine blew durning a party what a mess as water shot out of the line. A lot of this junk made in China. So nothing last as long as it should have.

[–] • 2 pts

Avoid the chink modes on Amazon. I have to replace one that is barely 3 years old. Back in the day faucets lasted 20-30 years.

[–] • 0 pt

We had faucets in our cabin that lasted 60 years, and they were used when installed, and we have very hard water. Same with the fridge, it was a model from the 30s, and lasted until about 20 years ago, my mom replaced it because she wanted a bigger fridge with a freezer bigger than a shoebox, but it still worked great.

[–] • 2 pts

I am a handyman and have installed 100's of kitchen faucets. american standard sucks the least. also surprisingly the glacier bay McKenna faucet is actually made pretty well. the install is much easier as the main nut needs no tools to tighten. I've been putting that model in for a few years in homes now and have not had to replace any yet.

[–] • 0 pt

Installation isn't a problem, just trying to find a good two-handle unit.

[–] • 1 pt

Disregard, my apologies.

[–] • 1 pt

No prob, I will keep the suggestion for someone else who also needs to do a faucet replacement.

[–] • 2 pts

There are commercial grade and there are cheap Chinese shit grade. Anything big box will be shit. You’re going to have to pay for quality…

Mine has lasted 4 years and is going strong; only a minor, cheap repair. A magnet that holds the pull down arm had corroded, but it was an easy fix and remains a simple way of holding it.

https://www.build.com/delta-9159-ls-dst/s1696034

Here’s one like the one we got. Quality, and good engineering. The retraction is just a strong rope with a weight…you pull it down, the weight comes up. You put put it back, the weight and magnet hold it in place. So much better than the springs and crqp I saw at Home Depot.

Anyway - the site I linked has good stuff…worth checking out.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

I know it's personal preference, but I despise those pull down sprayers. The one I'm looking at I'll probably have to find a supply house here in town that has it, or order it direct from the manufacturer.

[–] • 1 pt

Before this one, I’d have agreed with you. The simplicity of it and utility it offers has changed my mind…

Regardless, the site is worth exploring; in my research on new house stuff, I learned about quality vs shit. This site has quality…at a cost, but it’s built to last.

[–] • 1 pt

Let me rephrase that. I despise sprayers.

[–] • 1 pt
[–] • 0 pt

I need a two handle unit, and those are not being made for someone who wants to use their stuff.

[–] • 1 pt
[–] • 1 pt

The first one doesn't appeal to me. I need big paddle handles, I don't know what they're trying to accomplish there.

The second two are specialty faucets. They are meant to mount on a wall escutcheon, not a sink.

Probably end up with something like this: https://www.moen.com/professional/products/8287

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

I agree. The only solution I have come up with (begrudgingly) is to just have a Moen pull down faucet. At the very least, (unless they have changed it on me and I don't find out until my next replacement) all of their parts are compatible. I was able to replace the faucet head for less than $20 with stuff they had in stock at Home Despot.

That cross compatibility thing is huge for me. When I moved into my house, the previous owners had a shower faucet by Gerber (yes the baby food company briefly made shower faucets) and their scheme was to use proprietary sized washers and other parts, so you had to go to them for replacement parts. Gerber stopped making these faucets years before my unit went, and it was impossible to find any replacement parts, so I had to hire a plumber to come open the wall and get all of their fittings out, and replace it with something that uses standard parts.

That is my only suggestion with all of this rambling that I have done. Whatever you decide on, make sure that it will ALWAYS have standard replacement parts, even if those parts are from someone else.

[–] • 0 pt

The one I am looking at is literally a standard cartridge that has been made for years.

I understand about the proprietary shit...my house has a Chrysler furnace when I moved in, and it (and the AC unit) were completely unserviceable 20 years later.

[–] • 1 pt

Well shit, a new AC and heater are much bigger problems than having to walk to another part of the house to shower. I'm sure you are just as weary now as I am about any company making anything you want to buy, wondering if that manufacturer will be around to make needed parts.

[–] • 1 pt

I should have written that differently - the unit was 20ish when I moved in and was completely obsolete, seeing as how Chrysler hadn't made furnaces in a long time.

[–] • 1 pt

We have discovered the same. We have replacing faucets, appliances and fixtures with commercial equipment instead.

[–] • 1 pt

Shit, just get some copper pipe, fittings and valves. Sweat it together, no sweat.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

Preach, Brother Bird! Agreed. NIB units are total and complete garbage.

[–] • 1 pt

I recently replaced a moen with the faucet spray thing with a two handled delta and spray hose. I just bought a mid range one like 130 bucks. It isn't fancy but suits my needs hopefully it will last decent amount of time. The moen had cheap plastic parts in spray apparatus. I didn't feel it was worthwhile to try and fix.

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