Tales of the Often Underappreciated Kitchen Faucet

Hi, my name is Leaky (I hate that nickname but you gave it to me). I'm your kitchen faucet. I don't think you realize how important I am in your life. Stop and think for a moment how many times you touch me everyday. What about your children? They're up here pulling on my handle all the time with their grubby little hands, sometimes yanking too hard and causing me to loosen my screws a little bit more each time. I love your children, but they don't handle me with as much caution and some adults do.

Most of the time I go completely unnoticed. Sure, you use you all the time, but you don't really give me your undivided attention unless I'm dripping and annoying you. Hey, I get runny noses just like everyone else in the family, give me some doctoring!

I remember when you first saw me. I was sitting on the store shelf next to my brothers and sisters, and you were commenting about how much we cost, what features we had, what color we were and if we would be a good fit for your kitchen. I was so excited when you stopped to read my tags because I knew I was the perfect kitchen faucet for you. Then you crushed my hopes a little with your comments about how expensive I was. Good grief! I cost about $125 but your children are running you close to $10,000 a year! I see you look at them lovingly, but I just get a passing glance.

You compared me with my brothers and sisters and after a lot of grumbling you figured out what I knew all along. I was the perfect faucet for you. I am royalty you know. I'm related to all the best family lines; Moen, Kohler and Delta all have influenced my creation in some fashion.

I don't think the general public understands how important I really am. You go to the store expecting to pay about $20 for a faucet and then get angry when you see that quality costs money. We're no different than any other appliance or gadget in your kitchen; the best of us are higher priced. We also come with a lot of neat features such as multiple handles, hot and cold settings with a hundred variations in between, some of us are even gold plated! We protect your kids with anti scald devices and give you the one thing you can't live without: water. Why shouldn't we demand a fair price for our services?

Go on, enjoy your day, but would you please just once stop to notice my beauty and service to your family? Speaking for all ignored kitchen faucets we would all appreciate it. Thanks.

For more information on kitchen faucets visit http://www.kitchenfaucetsguide.info a sister site to http://kitchen-cabinets.diyhomeremodeling.com

London Bathroom Fitters - How To Choose Combination Faucet Part 1

Nowadays starting the repair of a bathroom may get into number of difficulties because inexpert buyer may be unable to make head or tail of sanitary equipment variety. There are a lot of different combination faucets, starting with standard functional models and up to design models which hardly can be named as sanitary equipment as they are objects of art. A lot of buyers consider combination faucet to be not only the hot and cold water mixing device but also one of the main elements of bathroom design. Industrial manufacturers continuously satisfy us with novelties which meet diversified tastes and needs of population and embody the boldest ideas of designers. So how can one choose the most suitable combination faucet?

First, you've got to remember the purpose of that purchase. Combination faucet is not just a bathroom decoration, so it shall function properly, i.e. to mix hot and cold water.

Number of combination faucets installed in the bathroom is important, too. It would be better to choose independent combination faucets for bathtub, shower, wash sink and bidet because combination of several functions by one combination faucet is not beneficial for the quality of their performance. If you have rather small bathroom and you don't have a shower cabin, then you may choose one combination faucet for bathtub and shower and one faucet for a wash sink.

Types of combination faucets according to places of installation. So, what's the difference between combination faucets for bathtub and shower? First of all, combination faucets for shower are more compact, they do not have the tap and bathtub/shower switch. Water flows right into the shower fittings and is mixed there, so you receive the water of required temperature.

Combination faucets used for bathtub are usually with low tap, rotating or fixed. Combination faucets with hand spray and height-adjustable shower holders as well as wall-mounted combination faucets are usually used with bathtubs. Some models are equipped with electronic control system. There is one more difference of bathtub combination faucets: they are designed for three/four apertures. It looks like several handles - for filling of bathtub, for hand spray and so forth.

Bathtub and wash sink combination faucets are very much akin to bathroom combination faucets, but the buyers, when choosing the combination faucet, usually take notice of sanitary equipment compatibility in the bathroom but not of its technical features. There are models with special drainage set which is used to open or close the plug hole by a small lever placed on a combination faucet.

Wash sink combination faucets may be as well designed for one or several apertures though combination faucets designed for one aperture are much more popular because of their easy installation. In order to make your wash sink maintenance easier and more pleasant there are combination faucets equipped with special absorbing tap.

Bidet combination faucets are to the large extent similar to wash sink combination faucets, because in most cases they are installed on a skirting board and designed for one or three apertures. The difference is that the bidet set contains aerator with a ball joint enabling to change the jet direction and over-simplifying the use of combination faucet.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of Builders London: bathroom, kitchen installation - web site offering all aspects of builders services. London bathroom fitters: How to choose combination faucet. Part1

How To Fix That Leaky Bathtub Faucet - Fast!

Fixing a leaky bathtub faucet - or any other leaky faucet for that matter - can be an expensive job - UNLESS you can do it yourself!

In this article we want to look at the most common reason for a leaky faucet and show you how to fix it quickly and cheaply.

Preparation

It almost goes without saying that you should turn the water off first! Where to find the handle that does that? Just look under your sink and see where the pipes run. Somewhere along their length you will see either a handle or a wheel you can use to shut the mains supply off. In nearly every case you will need to turn it clockwise to shut.

One other preparation is to block the sink drain - just to prevent a nasty accident with something loose (like a screw or a small nut) disappearing down the drain never to be seen again. Use the plug you normally use, or put some cloth into the aperture. No good being wise after the event!

And - even though it goes without saying - make sure you have bought a replacement washer (or two) from the local hardware store - you don't want to be looking for that when you have the faucet in pieces do you!

Action

Locate the screw that is holding the handle of the faucet in place (it may be hidden behind a small plate or cover and that cover needs to be prised off using a small screwdriver or similar). Then undo the screw.

The next job is to get the handles off. Use a screwdriver to do this - you might need to use a little bit of force to prise it but it will come.

Now you will see the old washer (don't worry if not, we will put one in place anyway). Take off the old washer and replace with the new. Notice that the hole in the washer should just be a touch bigger than the central post that the handle turns.

Now retighten the handle, but only hand tight i.e. only until it stops turning without extra force needing to be applied.

Next, turn on the water again and see what happens! If there's no leak you're home and dry (excuse the pun!). If it still leaks, try tightening the handle a little more.

If it still leaks after that- then the problem is elsewhere and you'll need to get a plumber after all. But al least it was worth a try!

(And by the way - if you notice a big build up of lime around the handle - clean that off with a special removal product from your hardware store - it will pay you in the long run).

Things needed

A screwdriver or two - maybe one flathead and one Phillips or cross-screw. Also two washers (maybe take the old one off ahead of your visit to the store to be sure of getting the right one, or just buy a pack of mixed washers - not an expensive buy).

David Woodford is a freelance writer and owns info4u-services which helps people with free advice to help solve everyday problems. To find out more about fixing your faucet and other DIY jobs around your home, visit http:/http://www.fixleakyfaucet.com it will REALLY help you.