Kitchen Faucets, also known as taps or valves, are plumbing fixtures designed specifically to control the flow of water into kitchen sinks. With sizes and shapes based on accommodating a variety of kitchen tasks from washing dishes to rinsing vegetables, kitchen faucets commonly feature tall spout heights and pull-out spouts that allow for a greater range of motion around the kitchen sink. Kitchen faucets are commonly made of brass, stainless steel, plastic, or zinc and are available in a large range of styles that work with any desired kitchen aesthetic.
Kitchen faucets originated as simple taps, drawing water directly from outside sources. Over time, as plumbing advanced, faucets moved indoors, with hand pumps being common in the 19th century. As cities developed water systems, turnable handles controlling water flow became standard. The 20th century saw an array of designs and materials, from separate hot and cold taps to single-handle mixers. Innovations also led to features like pull-out sprayers, making kitchen tasks easier.
The future of kitchen faucets is promising with tech-driven enhancements. Touchless operations, using sensors, are gaining popularity for their hygiene benefits. Smart faucets, integrated with voice assistants, can dispense specific water amounts or temperatures. Water conservation is a pressing challenge, pushing for designs that minimize wastage. Eco-friendly models, aerators, and water filters are in demand. Additionally, styles are diversifying with customizable features, allowing users to select finishes, sprayer types, and mount options to fit their unique kitchen aesthetics.
The first factor to note when installing a kitchen faucet is that there exists a variety of types all of which can have different installation instructions. The steps are as follows: place gasket over the faucet holes and set the watertight plate, feed the lines of faucet through the hole, install washers and nuts and connect the water supply lines (making sure they are tight), remove the aerator and let the water run to clear the faucet lines, then finally turn the faucet off and position the aerator back.
To fix a leaking kitchen faucet, it must be disassembled with parts examined for damages. First turn off the water by use of the shut-off valves to allow for maintenance. Second, switch the faucet handle to the running or “on” position to release any remaining water or pressure. Then close the drain and remove the aerator for close inspection. Parts may possibly be in need of replacement.
There is not a set standard faucet size used for a kitchen sink although this is important to check. The two factors to consider are functionality and proportion. A higher spout is recommended as it provides more space to stack pots for washing. However, a spout with considerable height may not fit depending on the physical restraints of the space. The reach distance or horizontal dimension from the spout to the connection of the faucet to the sink also needs to be considered to make for the best position of the water stream (typically targeting the drain).
