Different Types of Faucets and How to Identify Them

Faucets are essential elements of functionality and aesthetics in a home. Whether you are gearing up for a DIY repair project or planning to design your new bathroom or kitchen, knowing about the types of faucets and their features will help you pick the right one for your needs. In this article, we have given an overview of the four most used faucets in homes.

Ball Faucet: Ball faucets are the first-ever washerless faucets designed. Commonly found in kitchen sinks, these faucets have only one handle for controlling both hot and cold water. The single handle rotates over a rounded ball-shaped cap, also called the lever ball assembly, which is located above the base of the faucet spout. The ball is made up of metal or plastic and has chambers with rubber O-rings and spring-loaded rubber seals. By adjusting the lever ball assembly, you can align the slots with the inlet seats in the faucet and control the temperature and the flow of water.

Ball faucets are prone to leaks as compared to washerless faucets due to number of small parts, but they are inexpensive to repair.

2.Cartridge Faucet: Cartridge faucets can have one or two turnable handles that start or stop the flow of water. In a single-handle cartridge faucet, the handle moves up and down to control the water flow and rotate side to side to control the temperature of the water while in a double handle cartridge faucet, each handle (hot and cold) has a separate cartridge that controls the flow of water. There is a hollow metal cartridge inside the faucet that blocks the water flow from cold and hot water inlets. When you turn on a cartridge faucet, the cartridge is pushed forward and allows the water to flow through both inlets. When you rotate the faucet slightly, it allows you to adjust the temperature of the water by blocking the hot and cold-water inlets as dictated by the angle of the rotation.

Cartridge faucets are expensive than ball or compression faucets, but their durability make them fit for a long term investment. With time their cartridge seal may wear out, which could be easily replaced.

3.Disk Faucet: One of the latest developments in faucet technology – ceramic disk faucets have a single lever on top of a wide cylindrical body. There is a mixing chamber inside the faucet known as the pressure balance cartridge that mixes hot and cold water. When you move the faucet up and down, the ceramic disks at the bottom of the chamber control the flow of water and the temperature is controlled by moving the handle side-to-side.

These types of faucets are quite durable and high quality. They rarely leak due to the damage caused to the neoprene seals at the water inlets and repair without much effort.

4.Compression Faucet: Compression faucets are the oldest type of faucets. They have separate on and off handles. You need to loosen the handle to allow the flow of water and tighten the handle to turn off the flow. These faucets work using a compression stem, which is a screw with washers at the end. They are located at the valve seat where the water flows into the faucet. When you turn on the faucet, the compression stem lifts from the valve to allow the flow of water and when you turn off the faucet, the same compression stem seals the valve to restrict the flow of water.

Compression valves are one of the most economical valves available and repairing them is also a very straightforward process. You just need to replace the valve and washer.