close up of stainless steel faucet with the water running out of it

Faucet Types For Your Home’s Needs

November 12 2019

Faucet Types

If you are thinking of replacing your faucets and have been to the store to check them out, you’ve seen that they are anything but alike. These days, there are four primary faucet types.

You may have noticed that the faucets in your house are not alike. When faucets are running smoothly, people tend not to give them a second thought, but when we run into a faucet problem, that gets our attention! It provides an opportunity to get the faucets that look great in your home or work space and work well for you.

And you don’t have to wait until you have a problem to replace your faucets. Here’s some information about the four different faucet types. It’s a good idea to know something about how each one works so that you can make an informed decision.

Compression faucets

Compression faucets are the oldest of the four faucet types. They are the ones people are most familiar with because they grew up with them. Any version of a compression faucet will have separate knobs that turn. You control how much water comes out of them. It’s a lot like turning a screw.

Compression faucet types connect to stem assemblies. These sit directly over the faucet’s valve seat, which is where the water flows in. When you turn the handle and close the faucet, the stem assembly is driven down to the valve seat. The washer compresses and cuts off the flow of water.

Ball faucets

Ball faucets came along as a more modern look and became the first washer-less faucet type. A ball faucet has only one handle for both hot and cold water. Usually found in kitchen sinks, ball faucets are increasingly popular in bathrooms too. With a ball faucet, the temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the water all depends on where you have positioned the handle.

Inside the body of the ball faucet is the lever ball assembly. This assembly sits on a system of inlets and springs right where the water will flow through. The ball has slots built into it. These align with the hot and cold water, which flows through the faucet.

Disc faucets

Another faucet recently designed not to rely on washers is called the disc faucet. This one is much more durable than either the compression or ball faucet types. The body of a disc faucet is considerably wider and they are cylindrical. The handles of a disc faucet move up and down and side to side like ball faucets, although their free motion isn’t as great.

The cylindrical body contains two ceramic discs. The upper disc rotates with the handles, while the lower disc stays locked in place. Because both discs are perfectly flat, they form a watertight seal when pressed together.

Cartridge faucets

Cartridge faucets can feature either one or two handles. They are similar to compression faucets, but you don’t have to turn the faucet handle until you have the water flow you desire. With a cartridge faucet, the handle should rotate from ‘off’ to ‘on’ in one smooth motion. Single-handle cartridge faucets move not only up and down but also side-to-side to control water flow.

Inside the faucet is a hollow metal cartridge. This cartridge seals the faucet, making it impossible for water to flow from either the hot or cold water lines. To start water flowing, you simply push the cartridge forward.

It’s good to know about faucet types if you are looking to replace your plumbing with some of today’s newest and trendiest applications. Stop by our showroom in East Hanover or contact us to find a full range of faucets and faucet types to suit you.

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