St Pete Plumbing is a complex mesh of pipes that brings clean water into your home and carries waste water away. Understanding how it all works can help you keep your plumbing working properly, and spot potential problems before they become serious.
Start by learning about your home’s water supply line and shut-off valve. This will give you some basic knowledge to help you troubleshoot issues like low water pressure.
Faucets are manufactured in a wide range of styles, colors, and finishes. Some designs require special materials, a complex manufacturing process, or a finishing process to achieve a certain look. In addition, the shape of a faucet affects the way it operates and how easy it is to use. The most common material for a faucet is brass, though die-cast zinc and chrome-plated plastic are also used. Some manufacturers offer faucets with low levels of lead, a feature that can be important to some homeowners.
The first step in making a faucet is to cut and shape the metals. This is done by a method called forging, in which the solid metal is forced into a die under extreme pressure. This is an ancient process, dating back to the days when smiths pounded out iron with hammers and anvils. Today, a hydraulic press is usually used instead of a power hammer.
Once the metals are shaped, they are machined to make them precisely fit together. Several types of machines are available, including CNC (computer numerical control) mills, which are fast and accurate but less flexible than manual mills. After machining, the parts are visually checked and sanded to remove imperfections.
Next comes electroplating, in which the faucet is coated with a thin layer of metallic plating. This is a highly corrosive and toxic process, involving dangerous acid solutions and generating hazardous waste by-products that must be disposed of properly. In fact, one company that used to be based in Brooklyn was caught illegally dumping its hazardous electroplating waste into the city sewer system and was fined mega dollars.
Some faucets are made from stainless steel, a choice that some consumers like because it doesn’t rust as easily as chromium-plated chrome. However, cheaper models made from poor-quality stainless steel can rust, and they typically don’t last as long as solid brass faucets.
If you want a stainless steel faucet, choose models with high quality grades such as 304 or 316, which contain 18% chromium and 8-10% nickel. These are austenitic steels, which resist corrosion better than other stainless steels.
Faucet Design
Faucets are available in a range of designs and styles to suit your aesthetic. Before selecting a faucet, consider how it will be used and where it will reside within your home. This information can help you select the best material, color and finish to support your style and function goals.
For example, if your home is designed with a minimalist approach, a sleek brushed nickel or matte black faucet can complement the look with minimal visual impact. If your space is inspired by traditional design, a brass or bronze faucet can provide warmth and a timeless look.
The faucet handles and spout shape are also important considerations. For example, lever handles are easier to use than knobs and more comfortable for children and older adults. They can also be more ADA compliant for public restrooms. Before deciding on a particular faucet, be sure to check the sink’s hole mounting type to ensure it can accommodate the type of mount you want to install. If changing the mounting type requires drilling additional holes, a deck plate can be used to conceal unused holes and prevent debris from collecting in the faucet’s interior.
Aerators are often included on faucets because they help reduce water consumption by mixing air with the stream of water. This process reduces water flow rate while maintaining pressure and can lead to significant savings on your water bill. In addition, aerators help reduce splashing and dirt accumulation.
Many factors go into the design of a faucet, from the handle to the spout and everything in between. The spout shape can influence how water is directed, while the handle design can determine how easy it is to control the temperature and flow rate.
Faucet finishes are also a big part of the design, from the shiny chrome to the modern brushed nickel. Trends come and go, but some finishes are timeless stand-bys like Stainless Steel and Spot-Free Stainless Steel that resist water spots and fingerprints for a durable and easy to clean surface.
To apply a finish to a faucet, the surface is usually dipped in a bath of dissolved metal or coated with a polymer that contains a colored pigment. Some manufacturers are also experimenting with 3-D printing to create unique and customized faucets. American Standard, for example, has recently created a series of unique metal faucets for its luxury DXV line using direct metal laser sintering, which allows them to produce intricate and integrated features on standard plumbing fixtures.
Faucet Parts
The parts that make up a faucet are the hardware that holds it in place and the components that control the flow of water. Washers and O-rings help to seal the faucet from leaks, but can wear out over time. A faulty valve seat can also lead to leaks. It is important to keep these small parts clean to extend their life and prevent leaks.
Many faucets use a cartridge that controls the water flow and temperature. Cartridge faucets are durable but can still need repair and replacement over time. To repair a Moen cartridge, first shut off the water supply valves under the sink and drain the sink to prevent leaking during repairs.
After turning off the water, remove the handle screw with an Allen wrench or a Phillips-head screwdriver. Some handles have a decorative cap over the screw, which can be removed with a utility knife. Once the handle is off, remove the adjusting ring by turning it counterclockwise with a spanner tool found in most faucet repair kits. Next, pull out the cartridge and replace it with a new one. Be sure to get the right cartridge for your faucet type (hot or cold).
Once you have replaced the cartridge, reassemble the faucet. The valve seat may need to be re-sealed. If the hole is worn or damaged, sand it with emery cloth and apply plumber’s grease to the seat before re-installing the valve stem. A faulty seat can cause hot or cold water to mix, or the handle to turn on or off unexpectedly.
Some faucets have aerators that add water to the flow. The aerator screen insert, housing and rubber washer should be cleaned or replaced regularly to avoid buildup of mineral deposits and prevent clogging. Aerator parts are often overlooked, but are essential for a good faucet.
Faucet Installation
A new faucet can upgrade your kitchen or bathroom. You can save money by purchasing and installing the faucet yourself, instead of paying a plumber to do it for you. While professional plumbers have the training, tools and skills to do a quality job, it is possible for a homeowner to install most faucets without much difficulty.
First, follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your new faucet for an easy installation. Before you begin, make sure that the water to the sink is shut off. Most sinks have individual water shutoff valves under the sink, which you can turn off by twisting them clockwise. If your sink doesn’t have these, you’ll need to shut off the main water supply to your home, usually by turning a lever or knob outside.
After the water is off, you can remove your old faucet by removing the mounting nuts that connect it to the water lines underneath. These are typically located in a tight space under the sink and may require the use of a wrench. If they are rusty or difficult to loosen, try applying a penetrant and letting it soak in before trying again.
Once the old faucet is removed, disconnect the water supply tubes from the spout. If you have a single-handle faucet, the tube will go to one side of the shank; for a 2-handle faucet, it will go to both sides. The tubing will then need to be attached to the hot and cold water valves under the sink. Before doing so, wrap the threads on both sides of each hose with 3 layers of Teflon tape to create a watertight seal.
After the hoses are connected, you can screw on the new faucet. It is a good idea to apply plumber’s putty around the base of the spout, and you can also use it on the escutcheon (or metal trim piece) if your new faucet comes with one. When you’re done, just test the faucet by turning on the water and ensuring that there are no leaks. Be sure to flush the pipes with hot and cold water before you turn on the main water supply again.