Faucets: Know Your Faucet
Most people have seen all kinds of faucets. But who can really name them all? After you read this article…you! Now you may be wondering what the point is of knowing what kind of faucets you have. But when it comes time to repair, you’ll be happy you do!
The Ball Faucet
A tried and true faucet, this is one of the most common varieties in kitchen sinks. It has one handle that moves up and down, left and right. The ball’s position controls both the temperature and pressure of the water flow.
Unfortunately for you if you have one, ball faucets tend to leak more than cartridge or disc faucets.
The Disc Faucet
The second type of one handled faucet on the list and the newest advancement in the field of faucetry is known as the disc faucet. It moves freely, like the ball faucet, with a smaller range of motion and consists of two flat discs. When the faucet is turned on, the upper disc moves away from the lower disc allowing water to flow.
These faucets are elite and the least leak-likely out of the four.
The Compression Faucet
The oldest on the list, the compression faucet is the first two-handled faucet on this list with separate handles for hot and cold water. These faucets use a compression stem and washers to press against a valve seal and allow water to flow.
These faucets are simultaneously the least expensive and the least trustworthy on the list.
The Cartridge Faucet
One, two, red, blue (okay…not red or blue), cartridge faucets are varietal. They are the only type of faucet on the list that can either have one handle or two. They are also sometimes indistinguishable from compression faucets with one tried and true difference. Compression faucets require you to “compress” the washer to close the water flow – meaning the action of turning off and on your water may be difficult or require a tighter grasp. Cartridge faucets on the other hand have a smooth turn.
Whatever your faucet type, here at Ohio Buckeye Plumbing we take care of it all! Give our experts a call at (440) 283-9377 and we will have your faucets flowing in no time!