Tarnish Free Brass Faucets

Changing a kitchen sink faucet might not be for you if you are claustrophobic and/or are 6 foot 5 inches tall and weigh 240 pounds or more. The space inside a kitchen sink base cabinet is often limited. Add a disposal to the brew and it can be a real challenge.

The job really isn't too hard to do but you can develop a backache or headache from strained muscles. By the time you are finished, you will feel like Harry Houdini trying to escape from a straight jacket.

One Simple Tool

If you are attempting to change out an existing faucet, you must have one necessary tool - a basin wrench. This weird looking tool has a spring loaded swivel head that allows you to loosen and tighten faucet body and faucet supply tubes in the narrow space between the sink bowl and the back of the sink base cabinet.

Forget about using traditional wrenches in this dark space! You may be lucky and find an adjustable wrench that will work, but a basin wrench will do the job in a flash. Purchase one at a plumbing supply house.

Is the Water Really Off?

Boy did I learn something important about 20 years ago! Turning off a shutoff valve under a sink doesn't always mean the water is off! In fact this just happened to me recently in our second floor hall bath. I shut off a 12 year old valve so I could change out a faucet cartridge. But when I turned on the faucet to insure the water was off, guess what? There was still a decent flow! Don't make this mistake! If you cut into a supply line or loosen a supply tube nut backed up by a faulty valve, a flood may ensue.

Is It REALLY Tarnish Proof?

Have you seen old technology brass kitchen faucets? They can really look bad in a short amount of time. A kitchen is a harsh chemical environment. Tomato juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc. can really cause problems with traditional brass.

The new tarnish free brass faucets are really great. The beauty, however, is only skin deep. But that is all the deeper it has to be. At the surface, the brass is really not brass. It is a brass alloy. The brass faucets are bombarded by special metals in a vacuum chamber. This process creates the tarnish-free alloy.

The finish will not corrode, tarnish, nor discolor. It is quite abrasion-resistant. Steel wool will not harm the finish but those kitchen Scotch-Bright pads will! So, watch how you clean the faucets.

Filtering Faucets

Water quality is a big issue in many parts of the nation. You should be concerned as water can contain all sorts of chemicals. One of the most common chemicals that is used to kill bacteria in water is chlorine. It is effective but often can leave an odor or bad taste in water.

For years you have been able to buy under sink filters, inline water supply filters, and even large add on filters at the point of use. You can now get a new kitchen faucet that has a hidden slim filter in the tubular faucet arm. This nifty filter is designed to remove chlorine taste and odor from water.

This filter will only work if you turn a discrete knob at the end of the faucet. This way you can use water that still contains chlorine to clean and rinse dishes and for other cleaning chores. When you want filtered water for drinking or cooking you simply twist the knob and filtered water flows from a tiny diversion port next to the main aerator. You can't mistake the two flows, trust me!

Who Makes It?

At the time this bulletin was published, only one company made such a faucet. It is:

• Price Pfister
  818-896-1141

You can bet that the other faucet companies will respond to this challenge!

15 Kitchen Faucet Installation Tips

Read the Instructions

If I've typed this once, I've done it a thousand times. It is vital that you follow instructions in order and to the letter. If you don't pay attention, you can damage some parts and actually have to disassemble the faucet. For example, you might forgot to put on the spray trim nut BEFORE you attach the hose to the base of the faucet......been there / done that....

Right Tools

You often must have a basin wrench to install a kitchen sink faucet. This handy wrench is made to fit in the narrow channel between the sink and the back of the sink base cabinet. Two adjustable wrenches, a screwdriver, and a flashlight will usually be all that you need to complete the job.

Plumbing Supplies

Don't start the job without pipe dope or liquid Teflon thread sealing compound, plumber's putty, extra supply tubes - an assortment, extension tubes (known as Delta tubes here in Cincinnati), and paper towels. The Delta tubes are simply bendable tubes that have a male end and a female end. These tubes are simple compression type fittings that allow you to reach from the faucet to the shutoff valve in case your regular supply tubes are a tad short.

Faucet Spray Attachments

These devils usually have to be installed first. You need to install the holder in the sink top. Use plumber's putty under this coned shaped housing. The putty prevents water from leaking into the sink cabinet. Put the hose down the holder and bring it up into the center faucet hole of the sink. Connect the female nut of the hose to the male port on the faucet body. Use pipe dope or liquid teflon here! Failure to make this connection NOW instead of AFTER the faucet is in will save you a migraine headache.

Set the Faucet

This is really simple if you are installing a new sink. Why? Because I always mount the faucet to the sink before the sink is installed in the top! If you are changing out a faucet, you will be on your back. Most faucets come with a gasket that fits on the bottom of the faucet. Be sure you put it on right side up and facing the right direction. Also be sure the faucet is pointed towards the front of the sink! Look for the name brand on the face of the faucet base as a guide.

Supply Tube Connections to the Faucet

Using the new nuts provided by the manufacturer, attach the supply tubes to the faucet body. These are simple compression fittings. As you tighten the nuts, you will make the connection leak proof. You don't have to be Hercules to get a leak proof joint. One turn past finger tight is often plenty.

Supply Tube Connections to the Valves

This is where most leaks originate. The supply tubes must enter the valve compression port head on - not at an angle. If you are changing out a faucet, you will need to buy a new compression nut and brass ferrule. You will not be able to salvage them from the old supply tubes. If you use plastic supply tubes, they require a special plastic ferrule. Don't try to use a brass one here. I guarantee a leak!

Tighten Compression Nuts With TLC

Tighten the compression nuts on the valves slowly and with care. Make sure the supply tube is not bent as it passes the compression nut on the valve. One turn past finger tight is good enough before you turn on the water.

Remove the Aerator

Before you even think about turning on the water, remove the faucet aerator. Look for a black washer that might be stuck up in the faucet arm. If you forget this, it might be blasted out of the sink when the compressed air in the lines is released.....been there...done that.....

Failure to remove the aerator will usually cause an ugly flow of water, Disturbing old water lines or working with new copper will undoubtedly send grit, flux, etc. out of the pipes once the water is turned back on. It is really tough to clean those little filters in the aerator!

One Valve at a Time

Turn the water on one valve at a time. Turn the valve slowly. If you have to turn the water back on at a remote location, do it ONLY if a helper is at the faucet to warn you of a major malfunction in your work. 5 - 10 gallons of water could be everywhere before you can make it back to turn the water off! Check for leaks and then turn on valve number 2!

Veggie Spray Air Locks

If you have a spray attachment and no leaks, be sure to discharge water through it once you have flushed the faucet lines. The trapped air in this hose can sometimes cause sluggish water flow at the faucet.

Low Flow? Trouble is not in your Pipes

Do you have low flow once the faucet is in? This could be a result of a flow restrictor within the faucet ...... It is a water conservation measure.

Reinstall the Aerator

Once you have flushed the lines for 5 or 10 minutes, you can reinstall the aerator. If this is new construction let the hot water flow for 2 - 3 minutes to help flush out any hardened flux in the lines.

Shut Off Valve Packing Nuts

Once the water is back on, you may have a slow drip in the center of a shut off valve. This often happens because the valve packing was disturbed. You will see a nut that surrounds the valve stem. Turn it clockwise 1/8 turn or less to stop the leak.

No Leaks? Great, But Test for the Slow Ones.....

Small pin hole leaks can take hours to develop and drip. Install paper towels on the floor of the sink base cabinet to act as targets and a handy device to tell if you have a leak. Always look high for a leak. The leak may run down the supply tube and make you feel the connection at the valve is faulty when in fact the leak is where the supply tube meets the faucet. Feel with your hand to locate dampness if necessary.

Related Articles: Brass Kitchen Faucet, Brass Faucet Manufacturers

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