Have you been in different homes throughout Tampa and noticed that every faucet you come across seems to look and work a little different? That’s because they are. There are actually four main types of sink faucets you will find in Tampa homes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this Cass Plumbing blog article, we’ll take a closer look at the four kinds of sink faucets so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes time to purchase one for your home.
Compression Faucets
These are the oldest type of faucets, and they use washers to create a watertight seal. Compression faucets have distinct, adjustable handles for hot and cold water. To let water flow, you simply untighten the handles. The more you untighten, the more water flows out. To turn off the water, simply tighten the handles. Each compression faucet handle connects to a stem assembly which is a screw that has a washer at the end.
When you tighten the faucet, the stem assembly is moved down to the valve seat, from where water flows to the faucet. As the stem assembly is lowered, it forces the washer to compress, which creates a seal that prevents water from flowing. When you open the faucet, the washer is forced off the valve seat, allowing water to flow.
Ball Faucets
Ball faucets are similar to compression faucets, but instead of using washers, they use a rotating ball with a hole in it to control the flow of water. This ball is called the lever ball assembly and is housed within the faucet’s body. Another difference is that ball faucets have a single handle that controls both hot and cold water.
The ball has slots and chambers in it that are connected to the water supply line. As you turn the handle, the slots align with different passages, allowing water to flow through or blocking it off. Ball faucet handles can rotate up and down, and from one side to the other, so they’re very easy to operate. You’ll mostly find them in kitchen sinks.
Cartridge Faucets
To get water, you have to turn a cartridge faucet handle. You move single-handle cartridge faucets up and down to turn them on and off, while you move them from side to side to control temperature, just like disc faucets. One simple and easy movement is often enough to turn them on or off.
Cartridge faucets are unique. They can have one or two handles and they don’t have any washers or balls. Instead, they have a hollow metal cartridge inside the faucet that controls the flow of water. Inside the faucet’s body is a cartridge, which controls the flow of both hot and cold water. As you move the handle to open the faucet, the cartridge moves forward, opening the water lines.
Disc Faucets
Disc faucets are the newest type of faucet on the market. Unlike compression faucets, they do not have washers. Disc faucets are wider than compression and ball faucets and are also more durable. They have one handle that moves up and down and side to side like ball faucet handles. Although they don’t have as much freedom of movement as the ball faucets. You can identify them by their single-lever design, which is very sleek and stylish.
Disc faucets have two ceramic discs inside the body of the faucet. The lower disc is locked in place while the upper disc moves with the handle. As you turn the handle, the upper disc turns away from the lower disc creating a space between them. This space is what allows water to flow through the faucet. When you turn the handle in the other direction, the discs close, and water is blocked off.
These are the four main types of sink faucets. When you know the type of faucet you have, you can easily find replacement parts and get the faucet repaired if needed. If you’re not sure which type of faucet you have, take a look at the illustrations above. You can also bring in a sample of your faucet to a hardware store or plumbing supply store and they’ll be able to help you out.
For All Your Faucet Repair or Faucet Replacement Needs – CALL CASS!
If you have are in need of faucet repair or replacement, the experts at Cass Plumbing can help. We’ll present you with all of your options. Reach out to your local Tampa plumbing pros at Cass Plumbing to take the first step toward getting the perfect faucet for your home or business.
Call Cass Plumbing! Cass Plumbing is the recommended plumber for Hillsborough, Pinellas & Pasco Counties by BestPlumbers.com.
They have earned an A+ Rating by the Tampa Bay Better Business Bureau, they have over a thousand 5-star reviews from satisfied customers online, and the have been in business for over 2 decades. You can reach Cass Plumbing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (813) 265-9200. Call Cass Plumbing for all your plumbing needs!
