Everything you should take into account when you’re looking for a new kitchen faucet is covered here in the Buying Guide for Kitchen Faucets. Now I’d like to talk about the 7 must-haves that you should look for in a kitchen faucet, whatever design or style you choose.
The last faucet I bought was a dismal failure, and the experience made me think about what to look for in a really good kitchen faucet. I came up with a shortlist of characteristics that were absolutely essential to me. Because I’ve tried so many different models and makes, I’m familiar with the small differences in various models, and the characteristic pros and cons that each one has. Here is my list of the 7 Must-Haves for an Excellent Kitchen Faucet.
A Brand Name
To tell the truth, I haven’t actually purchased a no-name faucet before. Trying to save money by buying a generic kitchen faucet is like buying a financial investment without using a reputable investment firm or bank. The ticket price may be cheaper, but in the end you will lose out. These faucets tend not to last long and before you know it, you’ll be dealing with water wastage from dripping and leaks. The faucet may even break long before it should.
When you buy from a reputable manufacturer, you pay not only for the brand name but for the up-to-date technology, customer service and reliability too. Brand-name products almost always have better warranties, so in the long run you’ll save more money if you pay a bit more up-front and buy a decent brand.
A Good Fit with your Kitchen Décor
You may think that this is a low priority, but if you’ve taken the time and spent the money to make your kitchen look exactly the way you want it to look, you should also put a high priority on style as well as function when you choose a faucet. The faucet is the one appliance in your kitchen that you will use more than any of the others, and it will always be front and center in your kitchen. So it’s definitely important not to ignore the style and appearance of the faucet, and make sure it goes well with the sink and countertop as well as the other fixtures in the room.
Straightforward to Install and Operate
It should never be difficult to install your kitchen faucet. If you’re at all handy with DIY skills and have the proper tools, a faucet should take no more than 10 minutes to install. You just need to put the hoses through your sink holes, hook up the faucet and put it into place. Then you fasten the screws or nuts and connect the hoses to the correct supply lines. You’ll be glad to hear that brand-name faucets now include washers and rubber gaskets to provide water-tight connections, so you will not have to do any extra work tightening everything.
If you can, try a faucet out before you buy it. If this isn’t possible, read several online reviews so that your choice will be an informed one. Know the difference between pull-down and pull-out faucets, which both use magnetic connections to secure the spray head to the spout. Single handled faucets use just one lever to adjust temperature and flow. All of these faucets are easy to use, but make sure the one you buy is properly designed and well-made.
No Leaks – Ever!
If a faucet is designed well, it will contain high-tech washers and gaskets. Today you can get faucets with ceramic valves or even diamond covers, making them virtually indestructible. Ceramic and diamond discs usually last for a lifetime, so you won’t ever need to replace your faucet’s valves. These features also make temperature control more precise.
The Right Amount of Clearance
A too-short spout will make it hard to fill your biggest pots and pans. But low faucets may be okay if you’ve got a pull-out or side-spray and a double sink or very deep sink. Look at your sink configuration and choose something that works for you.
Some people go overboard and end up with a faucet that’s too tall, making it hard to wash your pans. In general, the spout should be 8 inches or less above your counter top.
The Ability to Direct a Stream of Water Away From Your Sink
It’s a definite plus to be able to fill vessels on the counter or stove, whether you buy a pull-out or pull-down sprayer or install a side-spray. It may not sound that important, but it really can be annoying to have to put everything inside your sink in order to fill it with water or rinse it out.
Easy to Keep Clean
If your faucet shows every little smudge and if it discolors or scratches easily, it’s not worth your investment. Look for a kitchen faucet that maintains its finish and looks good for a long time, and that’s easy to keep clean from day to day. To get an idea of how a faucet will perform, read some customer reviews.
There are Many Ways a Faucet Can Go Wrong
Even if the durability, function and design of your faucet are all fine, it can still cause you problems. You need to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and what you really require from your faucet. Ignoring style and function in an effort to save some money can lead you to buy the wrong faucet.
Don’t forget how central the faucet is to your kitchen. Even though you want to get a good deal, you should also place a high priority on durability and style. Nobody wants to live every day with a bad or inappropriate faucet in their kitchen!