Best quality brands of kitchen faucets

May replace a kitchen faucet - an Am Std "Elite" single handle, plain, arched spout faucet, bought 2004. Wasn't a cheap faucet. Tired of repairing it regularly.

Who makes best guts in faucets now? Looking for most durable interior parts, least problems. Probably a 2 handle w/ reasonably high goose neck. No "pull out", no electronics, no flashing lights. Turns on/off, accepts side sprayer, doesn't need rebuilding every 2 yrs.

All other things being =, do 2 handle, ceramic disk faucets have less problems than single handle? A same Am Std line, same age - 2 handle lav faucet is problem free - used way more than the shower. Messed up & made a good one?

I still get free Am Std parts - after arguing. That's just it, since '04 I've replaced every replaceable part on kit. faucet - 1, 2 & 3x (cartridge & other - 3x). Between replacing, I have to dismantle & silicone grease it or can't lift handle.

I don't know if they're all this bad now (had to replace ENTIRE guts of a < 10 yr old Am Std Williamsburg single handle shower faucet. Everything on it leaked; press. bal. valve went bad - caused pipe bumping. ONE adult uses that bath.

Our water has 0 (zero) general hardness;
very low dissolved solids, compared to reports from different states.

All 3 faucets have ceramic disks, not standard then. That's the only thing that doesn't leak, stick, break. The # times I repaired the kit faucet, you'd think we run a restaurant.
* Several times Am Std "lost" lifetime warr receipts. Last summer I sent receipts for 2 bath faucets (the *2nd* time) - before they'd send parts. Fine.

Now, they say there's a "note in the system - receipts *were* received - never "entered" & that employee's gone - no way to get in his email account." Huh? "Would I send them again (a 3rd time)?" Not even please or sor-ree. They also lost the kit faucet receipt, but have records of ALL parts they've sent. Right.

Thanks.

 

Switch to Price Pfister. Lifetime warranty. No hassle. I have a client for whom I went to see if I could repair her pull out faucet. It was cracked. I told her to call Price Pfister for a replacement. She said it was 25 years old. No matter. PP didn't have her part, but, instead, sent her a brand new faucet. I gotta go over, now, and replace it.

 

Chandler, thanks. I got email notice that another person replied - but don't see. Was it deleted? My thought on Price Pfister. 25 yrs ago, may've been decent - were couple in this house. Not sure they are now.

Am Std & Koehler used to be top shelf (maybe Kohler still is, if spend some $)? But my AmStd faucets (2 actually) lasted no time. Had to replace kit. faucet cartridge in 2 yrs & it was so tight (w/ grease), they had to send "undersized one." Parts are free - my time isn't.

I'd guess at PF's avg prices, they'd be no better - maybe worse. I don't want a faucet I have to do something to at least every yr. Yes, they all send free parts (& how can they afford that for 10, 20, 30 yrs?). Because most repl. parts I've seen are kinda like cracker jack toys. I'm fairly sure the mfgs bank on people losing receipts, moving / dying, re-modeling, etc. If you aren't in those categories, then they "lose" receipts you sent. One time is a mistake. 3 or more times is SOP.

Even Am Std offered to replace this one, if I send receipt "one more time." I think b/c they've sent SO many parts. Quite possible now, w/ all the gadget faucets & electronics - very $$, if you don't buy high end in any brand, they put cheapest parts, O-rings, etc., they can.

So far, not found a "real" comparison of *internal parts* quality / design. All people discuss is how pretty, or wave your hand to turn on water. Wonder how hard those solenoids are to replace?

 

I've installed kitchen faucets for 15 years. I chose Delta for my own home, the 9192 in stainless.
I have never had a problem getting parts from delta (for other of my faucets). The 9192, I don't plan on fixing anytime soon.

I would recommend Moen also.

You said you didn't want a pull-down, but I would recommend it. No way would I have a side sprayer. The hoses are way too stiff.

 

The hoops you are jumping through don't make sense. If you are a staunch American Standard follower, then so be it. I was just trying to get you a better product with better customer service. I don't trust battery operated touch control faucets. They are always on and a malfunction could cause problems. I don't recommend them at all.

 

Thanks guys.
Hanyone, I haven't had any trouble getting parts either - on any brand, if I had the receipt. But needing SO many parts, free or not, in a short time is an issue. I've also heard quite a few people say several companies had an attitude about free parts, even if they had the receipts. Then others say they were never asked for one.

I can't justify / afford $250 - 300 for a piece of pipe w/ a valve that water comes out of, just cause it has a pull out sprayer. It's warm here most of the yr & the hoses aren't stiff.

Chandler - I think you misunderstood about Am Std. I'm not hung up on them. But what "hoops?" I just don't think PF would be a step up in quality, in my price range. If I could determine that Kohler or another brand actually had better guts, I might get one of their plainer models, if it reduced repairs dramatically. I'd have to disassemble one. But that doesn't tell how well the o-rings & any non-metal parts hold up over time.

I came across a lot - dozens - of discussions on the theory that many faucets made for box stores had inferior guts to identical models at supply houses. Many said it was a myth (called the mfgs - like they'd tell the truth). Others said they'd held, looked at same models from both places & there was a difference. That somewhere - in the SKU or something, there had to be different number. Course, some people on the internet may stretch the truth.

 

Delta has never asked me for proof of purchase, only the approximate purchase date.

If you are looking for a faucet I would recommend Moen or Delta. They have it down to a science and the parts rarely fail.
You don't need the $350 version, but from my experience a good faucet usually runs around $140.00 or so.

 

With anything, from faucets to tools, I want something that will last, not so much interested in free replacement when it breaks.

I have a friend that had a Price Pfister faucet installed when she had the kitchen remodeled. That faucet had a pull-out sprayer and it was the hose connection that failed after only a few years. While she may have been able to get new parts, or maybe even a complete new faucet from PP she STILL would have had to deal with the repair. I told her that a new Moen faucet would be the better way to go.

We bought a new Moen from the big box and I installed it. That was about eight years ago and still no problems. I have no problems with any of the Moen faucets that I installed in my home, most of them about fifteen years ago.

One caveat, Moen does NOT like hard water. If you have hard water plan on pulling the cartridge every year for cleaning and re-lubrication. It is about a fifteen minute job.

 

We have Moens in most of our units, though not all of them had Moen installed originally.

 

Any of the name brands are high quality. Moen, P-F, AM Std. Delta, Grohe, Kallista, Waterstone, etc...

Water quality, daily use and proper installation does affect longevity. All will replace for free without a receipt if made after 1997.

After looking at typical models available in most big box and average plumbing stores, high price will be for name and glitter (finish). Bells and whistles (touch on and off and junk like that). The innards are the same.

As technology gets better, all items are designed to closer and closer tolerances and to perform to just within the limits of their intend use.

They can afford to give lifetime replacements because the manufacturing cost are very low. The products are design to perform well in most environments. Most innards are the same between models (one cartridge will handle all two handle and one cartridge for all single handle) regardless of how it looks from the outside. The vast majority of units do not fail and many people want to change style after many years of use.

To address the comment about things being made better years ago, I will say this.

I've used this example before. The Roman bridges of ancient times still stand and are still usable in many cases. Today's bridges are designed for a 75 year life span. Since 75 years is now an average life span for many it looks as though most bridges are made cheap. Yes they are and for good reason. COST! Is it bad or good? Doesn't matter. It's the way it is. Better technology reduces over design and cost and as a result appear to be made "cheap".

 

Re: Delta 9192 - I hope it does last - for the price. If because of inflation, that's how much you have to pay to get one that does NOT need repairing in 1 - 2 yrs, then every 2 yrs after (for something), then I may be repairing faucets.

Like many things today, they're over hyped, over priced & not made to last.
For every Moen, Delta, AS model I've looked at reviews, there are people saying Delta self destructed in short time, so got a Moen or AS. And vice versa - for same models on either brand. So for now, I have no faith that buying a $150 - 180 U, V, X, Y or Z brand will mean less repairs overall.

Unless paying several 100 (& that's NO guarantee), not sure brand matters - there's little quality control on most mass produced, fairly inexpensive items. Used to a decent faucet lasted yrs before needed a new (two, not 10) washers & maybe seat. Then nothing else for yrs (still have one in our shower). New faucets DON'T appear to be this way.

Here's a $600+ Kohler, that a lot of people report early issues - several w/ SAME issues. Just sayin', price is no guarantee in faucets. https://www.amazon.com/KOHLER-K-690-...yStar=one_star

A significant % of buyers say most brands / mid range models start needing significant repair, replacing parts in 2 yrs or less, then it's continuous. Exactly what I've found w/ the AS Elite model. It was > $100 on sale, way back in '04, so not cheap.

Some people say Co. x, y or z doesn't ask for receipts. Another person says they do ask & may give a hard time, if they have the receipt or it took 3 wks to get a part.

I called, then wrote Kohler about an older lav faucet - if they'd replace it due to finish issues. Said they needed pics. Sent them some. Some woman said needed to send in receipt. I simply asked, if I dig for the receipt, are you going to replace it? She hem & hawed every possible way to not answer, in several emails. She never did give an answer. Finally, I asked to speak to supervisor. It's not a hard question.


This is similar to what I & many other people have experienced w/ several companies.
Sometimes they send parts w/ no hassle & sometimes they "lose your receipt" they had for several yrs & say no more parts unless resend receipt - 2nd or 3rd time.

 

I not only install a variety of brands of new faucets, I also have the luxury of seeing all the old ones that are being replaced.

Just a tip. Most of the old faucet valves still work pretty good. The biggest problem and reason for failure I see is lack of maintenance.
The faucet should be cleaned once in awhile. This helps keep it swiveling well and the levers or handles moving easily. You can even apply plumbers grease if necessary.

 

OK, lets set the record straight. What you are seeing, reading and hearing is the exception to the rule. Very few if anybody sits downs and writes a review about a product that performs as intended for a reasonable period. Have you? I have Moen and P-F faucets (even a PEERLESS that gets abused in the basement) in my house and never had a problem. I never wrote a note stating as such. In fact any product that performs as intended is never written about unless someone specifically asked about it or for an opinion.

Example, I will never touch a Frigidaire product, knowing full well that they come off the same assembly line as most other popular brands using the same parts. I had a bad experience with them. And I talked about it. Most people like the product but have no reason to boost about it. I own a Hansgrohe Shower for over 35 years and they stand by their product freely sending me new parts for free. Nobody knows about it. I will no longer ask for parts because it's embarrassing.

The majority of posters of this sight will vouch for Moen and the other popular brands of plumbing. At our store we sell Moen, AM STD, Delta and Peerless. Seldom does any of these come back except for the occasional Peerless.

They are designed to last for the job intended, but not over designed. And that is because of better technology and an effort to reduce cost. Over hyped? Yes! That is today's market place. Get use to it. (BTW... "MOEN, buy it for looks, buy it for life." If they can't fix it they will replace it with something comparable). Call it hype or whatever, I can prove it not just by me but many customers.

Your remark about mass produced products is in error. Mass produced products that are quality (most well known brands) go through stringent QC inspection. If not for mass production you would not have nearly the products you take for granted including most foods.

Believe me you do not want a faucet that was made 50 years ago. You would be replacing washers, and gland packing at least every year. It's called maintenance.

Remember, you're dealing with people. Emotions run high. How did you approach her when you called? Maybe she had a bad day. When and if this happens (and I give this advice to all my customers), if you don't get a decent warranty answer, then call again the next day and get a different person. Never failed yet.

Many customer service people don't know the engineering of a product. I was told by Moen that a shower fixture must not be any less than 60" high from valve set or it would in fact constantly drip. I asked for and Engineer / Designer and was told I could go as low as 48". Why? Because 60" is the typical standard and that is what the customer service people are told.

Again only the exception to the rule. What about the many thousands of other customers and units that are sold? Did you hear from them? And any company that offers lifetime warranty does not require a receipt. There are laws about that. See my above statement about calling again. Or if you want take them to court.

I don't mean to dis you and I understand your rant, but post like yours paint a broad picture that just is not right. Are there exceptions? Yes. VW comes to mind at the moment. But that does not paint all auto companies are cheats and swindlers. Nor does it mean VW makes a poor product. If you were given a VW or offered one at a very low price would you refuse it because of poor judgement by the upper management concerning emission claims? Hell most cars never meet emissions or mileage claims after you own it for a year.

 

You might look at a new faucet and think it's cheap because of it's simplicity, but the simplicity is what makes them good.
The best manufacturers use ceramic disc technology and have reduced moving parts and water connections to a minimum. There's very little that can fail.

 

FWIW I put a Grohe kitchen faucet in my own home about 16 years ago and haven't had to do anything to it at all ever. Of course Grohe may have changed since then, but I'd probably go with them again, if I ever have to.