Faucet quality question

[Danno1]

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Hi guys, I'm in need of a new kitchen faucet and am wondering what is the best make. I'm not looking for all the high-tech stuff. Just a basic well built to last faucet.

TIA. Danno.

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[Notgrownup]

I’ve always like MOEN or Delta but the higher end stuff, not the Box store stuff. My kitchen spring loaded sprayer was ordered at Ferguson plumbing house,I believe it was around $500. I can tell the difference. The 15 year old MOEN faucet I gave to my SIL along with the Kohler porcelain sink is still like new and she was tickled. My wife would slap me if she knew I posted this picture of the dirty area but it’s very well used daily a lot.

 

[Snip's]

I changed our kitchen faucet this Spring...
I decided to buy from a plumbing house instead of a big box store... I felt BBS contract to get faucets based on cheapest construction...
Went with Moen... All brass construction with ceramic valves... I wanted a better quality part so I wouldn't have to mess with it again...
It was not fun getting the old faucet out... Gland nut was corroded and hard to get to... Had to finally use a cut wheel angle grinder...
Old fauced was from Lowe's, and probably 10 YO... What looked like brass was really anodized aluminum on the pipe connections...
I installed the new faucet and used anti-seize where appropriate... I was glad it's done... Tight space, uncomfortable working under there...
Would not like having to make a living as a plumber... Hats off to them...

 

[ObnoxiousFumes]

Check out Wolverine Brass, solid cast brass construction, ceramic valves, they are amazing. And heavy! Lol
Literally just found out about them yesterday as I’m putting in a boiler for a guy who sells their faucets. Kinda pricy but they’ll last absolutely forever.

 

[zak77]

I got a Moen from one of the big box store, not my choice, and it's been a royal PITA ever since. I think i've replaced just about every part of the faucet over the past 8 or so years, although free from Moen, but it's not cool having a part of the faucet split open 2 days before Thanksgiving. So if you do look at one, get the better made versions.

 

[housewolf]

Moen, Delta, & Kohler each make good everyday faucets. I know Moen & Delta, not sure about Kohler but probably, make a budget line that isn’t near the quality I’d be wanting in my home. I’d stick to an all (lead free) brass body. I know Kohler & Moen have excellent customer service and I’d assume Delta does too since they compete well with the other two.

If you want a tank, Chicago is what you seek. I have a couple of Chicago faucets in my guesthouse I demo’ed out of a hospital 30 years ago. No idea how old they were when I removed them. Chicago is more commercial/industrial so may or may not be aesthetically pleasing in your home.

build.com is Ferguson’s online store. Prices aren’t what a plumber with an account can get, but they are generally better than retail

 

[FrankLee]

Probably 20 years ago, I bought a Delta hi-rise arc, single handle kitchen faucet with a lifetime warranty.

Last week, the spray diverter started acting up. Called Delta and they are sending a bunch of new rebuild parts. N/C.

Delta's lifetime warranty is legit.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a Delta kitchen faucet. It was in my house when I bought it 40 years ago so I'm not sure exactly how old it is, probably 45 or 50 years. I had to put a rebuild kit in it once many years ago, and I just noticed it's starting to drip again so it's time for another rebuild kit. As I recall, installing the kit is maybe a 30 minute job. That's basically one service every 20 years or so, which I think is pretty good. They still have essentially the same faucet today, Home Depot sells it for just over $100.00.

 

[Danno1]

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Those Delta stories are impressive, although I was leaning more towards Moen or Kohler.

Stuart, do you think the one avail today is still the same quality as what was made 40-50 yrs ago???


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[four.cycle]

I refuse to work on any MOEN products after an incident several years back. All the parts have to be special-ordered, and they are expensive. They work great when they work, but attempting to repair a faucet set in my sister's bathroom had me contemplating murder.
I have since informed everyone whose house I ever worked in: "If it's MOEN, call a plumber."

Delta makes a good kitchen faucet. I've lived in several houses with Delta faucets. You'll have to put new seals in it every few years, but the parts are readily available at any hardware store.

The last kitchen faucet I bought was a "mad hurry" affair - just get it fixed and over with - and I went low-end with a $50 Chinese-made set from ACE Hardware. Installed it about 4 or 5 years ago and it hasn't given me any trouble so far. (It simply didn't make sense to buy a fancy-schmantzy faucet when I have literally scrubbed the white porcelain off the bottom of my cast-iron double sink.)

If I have to replace it, I'll spring for more money and buy another Delta.

 

[hans109h]

I've had the best luck with MOEN, and really enjoy their customer service. Find something on their website that you like and call them up and ask if you can get access to their discount offers which will save you 20-30% if I remember right.

Hans

 

[dcg9381]

I also have had good experience with moen, even dealing with old valves - their customer service has been great at identifying parts. There is a "lifetime" warranty that I've had great results exercising (yea, you have to keep records) but they've had no problem identifying and then shipping "older" parts for free with minimum hassles. (warranties are first party only)

 

[dogdog]

Delta's lifetime warranty is legit

Not really, I have had the worse time trying to warranty their kitchen faucet that is leaking at the shutoff, had to buy another one so I can pull parts off. Took them about 6 months to just respond they will be sending the part and another 6 to actually get it (don’t even remember if they actually send the part that was between 2020 and 2021 time frame) I think that guys name is “Jeff” or something pos. What makes it difficult is in between the same model faucet I (FIL) bought. They have different revisions of that same faucet making parts ordering from their website a pita.

For the op go kholer, but go to their website and call them up. At least last time I did for the shower valve with intergal control they were very helpful.

***
This is the faucet do not get. And as others have mentioned don’t get from big box stores

Delta Everly 2-Handle Standard Kitchen Faucet with Spray in Stainless 21741LF-SS - The Home Depot

Incorporate a low profile design for a sleek modern look in your kitchen by using Delta Everly Two Handle Standard Kitchen Faucet with Spray in Stainless.

www.homedepot.com

 

[loganb]

Main thing to be aware of is they all have different grades, so what you're getting at big box is not what you're getting at a professional plumbing supply house. Exterior castings may be the same, but the internals get changed to hit the price point marketing says they need to hit. Metal for plastic etc...which depending on your water quality/mineral content may be ok, or may be a source of frequent frustration

As mentioned earlier, Ferguson has a public facing website but also has a ton of locations that you can set an appt and if they can't sell direct they can connect you with someone you can buy from.

 

[bluedog225]

Get an old fashioned Chicago Faucet. Industrial type. Done.

I installed in 1995 after going through a couple of cheapies.

It’s 100% good as new. Cartridges are rebuildable. Or buy new for $30 on amazon and have a spare.

No leaks, no drips, no bs, no issues.

 

[four.cycle]

Main thing to be aware of is they all have different grades, so what you're getting at big box is not what you're getting at a professional plumbing supply house.

YES!
Ran into this one on a MOEN kitchen faucet at oldest sister's house.
"Proprietary" stuff - made by MOEN for Home Depot exclusively.
Home Depot does not carry replacement parts.
Rosen Supply mysteriously had the kit I needed in stock, but the guy who found it was kind of surprised they had it, because it wasn't supposed to be in their inventory. (I bought a piece somebody else had special-ordered.)

And ALL the faucet manufacturers do this: MOEN, Delta, etc - they make one for Lowes, one for Home Depot, and one for the plumbing supply houses, and the guts are all different.

 

[jkeyser14]

This is a timely thread. Last night my Moen kitchen faucet had a plastic fitting on the pull down sprayer hose fail and turned into a geyser that flooded the base cabinet. It was a builder grade Moen Brantford line faucet that was installed 7 years ago when the house was built.

I called Moen this morning and they are shipping me a new faucet for free. So the lifetime warranty is excellent, but that doesn't change that the plastic fittings on their lower end faucets leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Pennsylvania 39]

I recommend a plumbing house if you want to best quality. Remember it's your home and you deserve the best
Take care. Slim

 

[Stuart in MN]

Those Delta stories are impressive, although I was leaning more towards Moen or Kohler.

Stuart, do you think the one avail today is still the same quality as what was made 40-50 yrs ago???

Unfortunately I can't say...they look the same, but obviously I haven't had one apart to inspect it closely.

 

[P0234]

I recommend a plumbing house if you want to best quality. Remember it's your home and you deserve the best
Take care. Slim

If you are the type of person that never changes anything, yes good advice. Most people reno a kitchen/bathroom well before even the box store Moen/Delta/Kohler stuff even comes close to wearing out.

 

[Danno1]

If you are the type of person that never changes anything, yes good advice. Most people reno a kitchen/bathroom well before even the box store Moen/Delta/Kohler stuff even comes close to wearing out.

Ya, I'm not the most people kind of guy...


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[FrankLee]

Delta's lifetime warranty is legit.

Not really

Yes. Really.
I called Delta on Friday, 8/30, and parts arrived today, 9/5. And they included two sets of seals/springs.

 

[velocipede]

The last time I called Moen for warranty on a bathroom faucet that had corroded they wanted a copy of the contract between me and the home builder plus photo's of the faucet. I can see the damage photo's, but the contract for building the house?? Amazing. No more Moen for us.

 

[pbon]

I bought a couple of kitchen faucets in the last few months, one at an Ace Hardware franchise and one directly from the manufacturer. Both were name brands but I forget which — Delta, Moen or Kohler. What I noticed was the the name brand ones I removed were much higher quality — less plastic and metal/braided supply lines instead of plastic. And one was the exact same model but 15 years newer.

I just bought an outdoor brass hose bib from Home Depot for $8 that looked like a toy compared to the one I bought 10 years ago. I returned it and found the heavy duty model that I removed on Amazon for $16.

America loves cheap and disposable now. I don’t expect the new faucets to last as long as the old ones. Next time I will look at plumbing supply store options.

 

[four.cycle]

The last time I called Moen for warranty on a bathroom faucet that had corroded they wanted a copy of the contract between me and the home builder plus photo's of the faucet. I can see the damage photo's, but the contract for building the house?? Amazing. No more Moen for us.

Thanks for reminding me!
At my mother's old house (in Fircrest) the kitchen sink had a "MOEN" faucet with a "sprayer" that was hooked to a long hose that came out of the faucet. The connection between the manifold and the hose started leaking.
We finally got the thing extracted so I was able to figure out WHICH part we needed, and then I called MOEN on the phone.
They needed not just the MODEL NUMBER of the faucet, but the DATE on which it was sold - apparently there was some production change at such-and-such date.

Are you kidding?

My late step-father was a "saver" of all things concerning receipts, sales contracts, warranty papers, and owners manuals. He had two four-drawer filing cabinets full of that stuff. (The big 5-foot-tall units like you'd have in an office building.)
My mom dug around and voila! Found the original paperwork for a faucet they'd had installed some 10+ years prior.

By all means: if you're one of those who retains every receipt, every warranty, every owners manual - then by all means go with MOEN.

For me: ANYTHING else.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

24 years ago we redid the kitchen and got a quote for a SS sink and faucet from a Plumbing Supply house and were sticker shocked. We cheaped out and installed a Lowes SS sink and a Lowes Delta faucet and that faucet lasted for about 10 years. I replaced it with another Lowes Delta unit and got about 10 years out of #2. I then installed a Moen from Costco and liked it a lot. So much that when we redid the counters and backsplash 2 years later I put in another Costco Moen and moved the original kitchen Moen to the laundry room sink.

Back in 2000 we also redid 3 bathrooms and installed Grohe faucets in all 3 - they have worked flawlessly. The Grohe shower in the middle bath valve didn't last as well and it was replaced last year by a plumber with a Wolverine brass valve and diverter that seems to be high quality so far. Parts for the Grohe 20+ year old shower valve were hard to find.

I hate plumbing in general and I hope that I'm out of this house before all the recently redone stuff needs work.

Cheers

Jim

 

[maplewood]

To echo what some of the people above said, there's an obvious, immediately noticeable difference in quality from big box store to a place like Ferguson. No point talking brands IMO until you know what "grade" the person is discussing. You can literally feel the difference just touching the faucets. We bought a Kohler from Ferguson a few years back. Thing is built like a tank, you could use it as a hammer if you wanted to... but it was also pushing towards $1000. Hasn't given us any problems. We didnt want to swallow the cost for barely-used bathroom faucets, and one of them crapped out inside of 6 months with barely any use. The better places like Ferguson have a wide variety of prices though, from a few hundred to a few thousand(!). Highly recommend it, just don't bring your wife!

 

[Norcal]

Don't buy any off breed faucet, and during a bathroom remod went quick & easy for a Delta bath faucet at HD for $100, (now $127) because of the plastics used had trouble with leaks with the aerater, replaced it with a Hans Grohe I bought at the local Restore for $15 & no more troubles. The Delta was made in China, buying it was against my better judgement, wasted a hundred bucks + tax, I tried to find the COO on a Delta bath faucet & was unsuccessful unlike buying a tub/shower valve, found a domestic anti-scald valve with built in stops through Build.com, who are locally headquartered, & valve was shipped from a Bay Area warehouse.

 

[The Cobbler]

I like Moen. easily repaired, with the right tools to pull the cartridges parts are free.

 

[Bill Bowman]

We put a Grohe faucet in the kitchen in 2004. My **** got pretty tight when I paid for it, but it still looks and operates like new. And that's with well water running through it.

 

[housewolf]

I’m having an issue multi quoting but I’ll give my experience with a couple of the replies.

If you are buying an expensive ($400+) faucet & go to Ferguson, you can set an appointment and go to the showroom. Don’t buy from this salesperson. You’ll pay full retail, and may walk out with much more than you intended to buy. Showroom salespeople are usually attractive, well educated, well trained young ladies that are very good at what they do. When making a purchase at Ferguson, know what you want by model number, the retail price, then try to negotiate a better price at the counter. You’ll need to know exactly what you want when you go to the counter. They aren’t going to bring out six faucets and let you choose. build.com is probably the most economical way for a laymen to buy from Ferguson.

Sprays - they all have pretty cheesy spray attachments. I have a very expensive Kohler in my house and I’m sorta okay with it. If you don’t need/use a spray, don’t buy a faucet with one.

Grohe is more mainstream today than they were 20-30 years ago but long term parts availability & CS is something to consider. They are a well built faucet but I would not consider their lowest priced models, or any other brand besides Chicagos, for that matter. Chicago makes nothing with budget in mind.

If you plan on living a long life at that home, aesthetics are second to quality, never want to deal with it again, & don’t mind $1K+, Chicago deserves consideration.

 

[dcg9381]

If you are the type of person that never changes anything, yes good advice. Most people reno a kitchen/bathroom well before even the box store Moen/Delta/Kohler stuff even comes close to wearing out.

I put Moen in every single "difficult" to reach location (IE, mainly shower valves and diverter valves). I've lived in places with "well water" and even with a softener, the service life of valves is substantially decreased. Wrote all the model numbers of every valve/diverter down, filed the receipts. When we switched to rain water, the working life on shower plumbing is no longer a concern.

For "easy" stuff (kitchen faucets) I did buy quite a few knock-offs from off the boat (that had solid feedback). I have zero support/warranty expectation and often I'd rather just replace the whole damn faucet rather than spend an hour taking one apart, calling for a replacement part and getting all that sorted. So far (3 years) all the "off the boat" faucets have held up, but I consider them throw away anyway.

 

[Tunajoe]

Stay away from Brizo which is Delta’s hi end product.
Junk!

 

[75gmck25]

If you are buying relatively high end plumbing parts, go to Fergusons or online to get the part number of exactly what you want. Then check prices online and find the best price. In my experience, Fergusons or other local supply stores are then very willing to match the online price if its for the exact model number and its readily available for that price (no closeouts, open box, etc.).

Be very cautious about assuming that Amazon may have the "best price". For some reason, hard mechanical parts like this are often cheaper at places like supplyhouse.com or build.com than any vendor you find on Amazon. I've found the same pricing situation for classic car parts and tools - Amazon vendors are often more expensive.

 

[LopezBart]

We put a Grohe faucet in the kitchen in 2004. My **** got pretty tight when I paid for it, but it still looks and operates like new. And that's with well water running through it.

We have one as well; I saw one in the kitchenette at work and liked how it worked. Yes, not cheap, but has worked well for us despite the hard water we have (cold tap is hard, hot is softened).

 

[Bert_]

I put a central brass in my kitchen a couple years ago. 2 handle. It's decent. Looks like something from 50 years ago which is fine by me.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Get an old fashioned Chicago Faucet. Industrial type. Done.

I installed in 1995 after going through a couple of cheapies.

It’s 100% good as new. Cartridges are rebuildable. Or buy new for $30 on amazon and have a spare.

No leaks, no drips, no bs, no issues.

Chicago Faucet make great stuff. This one is a little more stylish

 

[BillK]

Late to the party but I have had great service from both Moen and Price Pfister. My kitchen faucet is PF. Probably at least 20 years old. It started leaking about a month ago and all it took was an e-mail and I had a new cartridge in about 3 days. The Bathroom faucet at my shop takes a beating and it started dripping a few months ago too. I installed it when I moved into the building in 1990. Another quick e-mail to Moen and I had the parts in hand in a few days.

Both faucets were from Home Depot or Lowes and were definitely not high end. They were both lifetime warranty and I also had the original paperwork for both.

If you really think about it there is not much to go wrong with them other than the cartridges.

One thing I will stress is to keep your instructions and receipt.

 

[thammel]

This is a timely thread. Last night my Moen kitchen faucet had a plastic fitting on the pull down sprayer hose fail and turned into a geyser that flooded the base cabinet. It was a builder grade Moen Brantford line faucet that was installed 7 years ago when the house was built.

I called Moen this morning and they are shipping me a new faucet for free. So the lifetime warranty is excellent, but that doesn't change that the plastic fittings on their lower end faucets leaves a lot to be desired.

I had the exact same thing happen to our moen faucet and got a new one for free...but the new one had a better fitting that should last. The original one wasn't cheap but I don't recall the cost...probably 200-250.

 

[Mike65]

We have always had good luck with Delta faucets. We have a high arc faucet that my wife wanted for our kitchen when we remodeled it. It is great for filling large pots especially with the deep farmers sink.