The Four Different Kinds of Sink Faucet
Whether you’re in the market to buy a sink or are just interested in how this bit of often overlooked technology works, there’s a lot to learn! The appearance of sinks can wildly differ, but how a sink actually works depends on what kind of faucet it has. The four most common types of sink faucet are…
Compression Faucet
This oldest type of faucet always has separate handles to control hot and cold water. For each handle, at the end which isn’t visible to the user there is a stem assembly which sits above a valve seat. When you turn the handle, the screw and washer of the stem assembly are adjusted in relation to the valve. If no water is flowing, then that means the washer is totally compressed over the valve, without any opening.
Ball Faucet
Invented in 1945, this faucet is known for having just one handle that controls flow of both hot and cold water. The handle moves side-to-side and up-and-down thanks to a series of chambers and slots that align with seats of the cold and hot water pipes.
Disc Faucet
This comparatively new type of faucet combines aspects of the two above designs while improving on durability. It has a single, usually cylindrical handle that conceals two discs which act somewhat like the washer and valve in a compression faucet. Except the top disc can move side-to-side and a little up-and-down to shift the temperature like a ball faucet.
Cartridge Faucet
Some cartridge faucets have one handle and some have two. Either way, the handle will conceal a hollow metal cartridge that moves in response to the handle being manipulated. The mechanism behaves like a ball faucet, as both the pressure and temperature can be adjusted depending on how the cartridge is turned.
Electronic faucets are also worth mentioning. They were invented in the 1950s, but didn’t see widespread use until the ‘80s. Most of the time they work by using infrared sensors to disrupt a compression faucet and letting the water flow.
Understanding how sinks work is crucial to bathroom installation and repair. If you want any help when it comes to your bathroom, call (219) 322-4906 to get in touch with Reichelt Plumbing, family-owned plumbers servicing all of Northwest Indiana plus South Cook County in Illinois.