Ceramic disc kitchen sink faucets are emerging as one of the most popular type of faucets on the market today. This is because they are extremely durable, can handle many different types of water, and are virtually maintenance free. They are also very easy to use, making them good for children or for elderly people who are suffering from arthritis.
Ceramic disc valve faucets consist of two discs that are made from ceramic that have been fire-hardened to make them even stronger. These discs sit on top of each other and the top disc moves while the lower disc remains at a fixed point. The top disc moves across the lower one, essentially allowing water to pass through or blocking it from doing so. The discs are flattened so that they sit on top of each other perfectly, making a watertight seal. This means that drips and leaks are very rare in kitchen sink faucets that function off of ceramic discs.
Other than their amazing sealing abilities, ceramic disc valves are also extremely hard. In fact, they are so hard that they are very similar to the hardness found in diamonds. Because of this they don’t get the mineral buildup, corrosion, or line debris that is often seen in other kitchen sink faucet valve construction. Because of the hardness, even small rocks or peeling from a galvanized pipe will not affect the construction of ceramic disc valves. However, it may take a tiny bit of effort to dislodge the material. This can be done by easily shifting the handle back and forth a few times until the material has become dislodged. It’s important to remember that the handle of a faucet that contains ceramic disc valves is never forced closed.
There are also many control options when it comes to ceramic disc valves in kitchen sink faucets. Turning the faucet from full rushing water to turning it off can be done easily with as little as a half-turn or quarter-turn of the faucet. This is why it’s so good for children or elderly individuals. There are also ceramic disc valves that can be operated by three-quarter turn controls. These provide greater water flow and allow the homeowner to have more control when adjusting the water flow.
Even though ceramic disc valves in kitchen sink faucets provide many more features and peace of mind knowing that they will never need to be replaced, they don’t cost much more than kitchen sink faucets that contain standard or traditional valves. Ceramic disc valves usually don’t cost more than $100 and even if they do, this is getting into some high-end faucets. Although ceramic disc valves rarely, if ever, need to be replaced, this can be done easily by changing the ceramic cartridge. This repair also doesn’t cost very much and is usually only $15 to $25.