BC Bathroom Faucets

Archive for the ‘About Faucets & Bathrooms’ Category

If you enjoy the unique qualities of your old faucet, but need to replace parts to keep it functioning correctly, you can look for parts from a couple of different sources.

Homes from yesteryear carry with them the character left there by the occupants of the past. Along with that character, you might find a few malfunctioning items, one of these may be the faucet. While you might think the only option is to run out and pick up a new faucet, there are other options. Antique plumbing dealers may be few in number but their stock is not.

Prior to 1940, many manufacturers made parts that were different in size, threading and even materials than their competitor’s products. Meyer-Sniffen, for example, made their products out of pure nickel rather than plated in nickel, creating a much heavier faucet. Crane made their hardware so distinct in design it would only fit Crane’s faucets. Still other manufacturers double or even triple threaded their hardware, making it impossible to replace with other makers hardware.

Rather than discarding that antique faucet, you can find replacement parts locally by looking in your phone book for an antique plumbing dealer or throughout the US by running an online search for “antique faucet replacement part dealer”, or take a look at the dealers listed at the bottom of this article.

If you cannot find the part you need, you may be able to have one custom created. For this, you will need a machine shop’s assistance. You can either look for a machine shop in your area or look online for “machine shop faucet” to find machinists with faucet part experience.

Whichever road you take to find your replacement part, keep in mind that faucets do occasionally need replacing. If you find the parts will cost more than replacing the faucet with a new period-style one, you should consider purchasing a new one.

If your handles are antique porcelain they pose a danger if not maintained properly. This is because the firing of decades ago was hotter and turned them almost glasslike. They have been known to shatter after years of wear and use, so make sure you replace them at the first sign of cracking.

Whether replacing just a faucet, remodeling an entire bathroom or building a home from scratch to be used by a handicapped person, there are significant considerations when choosing a faucet.

Besides design factors, you must take into account the operation style of the handles and the placement of countertops and faucets.

Countertop Placement
The countertop and sink in the bathroom sink must be within a reach. They are usually installed thirty inches from the floor. The edge of the counter and sink should be no more than twenty four inches from the wall. Any plumbing underneath the sink, if exposed, should be placed or attached as close to the wall as possible, to avoid being tangled.

Handle Requirements
Faucets should require no more than five pounds of force to turn on or off if manually controlled. Manually operated faucets must have lever or push-type single hand operation, and may not require firm grasping. Faucets that are electronically controlled are required to stay on for at least ten seconds, according to the American Disability Act requirements.

Special Shower Requirements
Shower faucets should be low and spout should be detachable from the wall. Handles must meet the same handle requirements as sink faucets; single handed operation without grasping. The ADA does require that shower handles be installed on the wall opposite of the installed seat, if there is one.

There is some great news if you are shopping for a faucet to be installed in a home with a handicapped person – you don’t have to print out all of the requirements before shopping. Most small manufacturers and all the major ones that produce bathroom faucets and shower fixtures list if they are ADA approved or not right on the box.

Find the look you like then check the box. If it’s ADA approved, you shouldn’t have any problems installing it in a handicapped-friendly home.

At its most basic level, a faucet ensemble acts as a spigot and valve system to control the flow of water.

Vintage bathroom faucets are a popular style statement but not everyone likes the retro look. Thankfully, there are more styles and looks for bathroom faucets than ever before.

At its most basic level, a faucet ensemble acts as a spigot and valve system to control the flow of water. Many of the older crank-style sets reflect this original purpose with little aesthetic embellishment. Modern bathroom faucet and fixture sets achieve their functional purpose without compromising on beauty.

Finding a bathroom faucet that matches the style and atmosphere of your bathroom is more than a matter of taste: sometimes, especially in close quarters, you have to consider the space you have as well. Here are some of the different faucet styles that you may find:

* close-set ensembles are standard issue sets where the faucet and hot and cold handles are placed closely together.
* spread-fit faucets have separate handles and spouts, but unlike close-set ensembles, spread fit faucets can be adjusted so that the spout can be placed to one side of the vessel (sink or tub) and the handles in a different location.
* single-lever faucets have a single spout and handle combination that controls both hot and cold water streams. They are useful in kitchens and baths because they are easy to use and adjust than two-handle systems.
* wall-mounted ensembles are self explanatory – they are mounted on the wall, and are useful in accommodating unusually shaped or vintage farm sinks, or where horizontal space is limited.

They come in a variety of finishes including chrome or colored epoxy, solid brass, stainless steel, nickel and an assortment of brushed and polished metal finishes. A basic chrome single lever or close-set two handle ensemble is probably the least expensive option, while wide-spread or designer bathroom faucets tend to cost more.