The kitchen is one of the most utilised rooms in the house since it is where food is often kept and cooked. Some houses even include a kitchen table where the family may assemble for meals. With this much usage, it’s not surprising that the kitchen faucet may wear down over time and exhibit indicators that it needs to be fixed or replaced. Mineral deposit build-up, corrosion, and leakage are all common issues with kitchen faucets.
To prolong the life of this fixture, you may change pieces like as the cartridge, aerator, or O-rings, but after repeated repairs, it’s advised that you replace the complete faucet. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to wait for your present faucet to break before replacing it. Sometimes you want to alter the design of your kitchen, or you notice a new kind of faucet that is more appealing than your regular faucet.
Whatever the reason, it is essential to do research on new faucet items before purchasing them and learn more about the many features and variables that may impact your ultimate selection. Continue reading to learn how to purchase a kitchen faucet.
Before You Replace Your Kitchen Faucet
When you discover a leak coming from the side of your kitchen faucet, a continuous drip, or symptoms of mineral buildup, you should explore what caused the issue so you can make an educated choice about whether to fix or replace the faucet.
A leak in a faucet may typically be repaired by changing the O-ring or cartridge, therefore repairing the faucet is likely less costly than replacing it. However, if the faucet continues to leak, it is advisable to replace the fixture rather than continuing to spend money on new components.
Similarly, mineral accumulation in the house is often produced by hard water. While you may replace the faucet, this will not address the issue. Before replacing the old faucet, a water softener must be installed to avoid mineral accumulation on the new faucet.
Considerations When Purchasing a Kitchen Faucet
A kitchen faucet can normally last 15 to 20 years if properly cared for and maintained, so it’s vital to understand more about the numerous product features and considerations that might influence your selection, including as flow rate, sink arrangement, and finish.
The Flow Rate (GPM)
The flow rate of the fixture is an important consideration when shopping for a new kitchen faucet. Flow rate is commonly measured in gallons per minute (GPM) and refers to how much water flows through a faucet in one minute. Older faucets had typical flow rates of 2 GPM or greater, but thanks to water conservation measures, most faucets today have flow rates of 1.8 GPM or less.
Before rushing out to the local home improvement shop or buying a replacement faucet online, check your local building regulations to see if there is a flow rate restriction on your kitchen faucet. In certain regions, a low-flow faucet with a maximum flow rate of 1.5 GPM is required. A low-flow faucet has the disadvantage of taking longer to fill pots or buckets, but the low flow rate will help you save money on your water bill.
Configuration of the Sink
The location of the faucet is nearly as significant as the faucet itself. If you are installing a new sink, you may choose the proper sink configuration while shopping for a faucet, but if you have an existing sink, you must first determine the sink configuration before selecting a new faucet.
