Kitchen sink faucets come in thousands of different colors, finishes, shapes, and sizes. But even though the choices of faucets may seem endless, the different types of faucets can be divided into four main different categories. These four different types are: cartridge, ball, compression, and disc. These different types of kitchen sink faucets actually have nothing to do with looks but they affect how the water flows through the faucet through a valve. These categories of valves all have different price ranges, different durability qualities, and they will all work differently, some better than others.
Cartridge faucets are constructed from a metal or plastic cartridge that is hollow with many holes and seals directly against the stem of the faucet. Depending on how the cartridge holes line up with the stem of the faucet is how the water pressure and flow rate is controlled. These types of valves in kitchen sink faucets are generally very good however they can still be prone to damage. Because of this they can sometimes drip and leak. If this happens, it’s a simple matter of replacing the cartridge.
Compression faucets have two different handles. As the handle turns it raises or lowers a washer, which is a type of seal, and pushes it against a valve at the bottom of the stem. This is what stops the water from flowing out of the faucet once the faucet is turned off. Compression faucets are the only faucets that use washers in their operation. Other types of faucets use O-rings or neoprene seals to control the flow the water.
Ball faucets literally operate on a ball. On this ball sits the handle that can be turned to either hot or cold water and can be pulled up to be turned on or pushed down to be turned off. This ball has slots on it that fit snuggly between inlets within the faucet. The slots can easily go in and out of the different inlets, which is what makes these types of kitchen sink faucets so easy to operate and also allows you to quickly change water temperature.
Kitchen sink faucets that work on a disc operation have two discs that control the flow and temperature of the water. One of these discs sits on top of the other and moves from side to side. The lower disc however remains at a fixed point and provides not only for a good base but also a watertight seal that won’t allow water through once the faucet is turned off. Should these faucets every fail, and they rarely do, it’s usually these seals that are to blame.
There are many different types of kitchen sink faucets that can be used. Some are better than others and because of this, some also cost much more than others. However, it’s important to remember that even if one particular type of kitchen sink faucet is a little more expensive than another, it’s probably because they don’t require as much maintenance and care as the other kinds.