Kitchen faucets?

**peanut** · 12-02-2009, 11:27 PM

We have a plumbing problem. Our kitchen tap now leaks more water than our spout has pouring out of it when we turn on the water. The problem seems to be the cold water tap. For now we are plugging the sink the water is all leaking into (when it's not leaking down the back of the counter to rot out the cupboards below!).

We talked to a plumber and he sent us to a store to look at new faucets. I just about died! The ones I liked were $1000 and $620CAD respectively! I was shell shocked. DH suggested we come home and look on-line. Sure enough the same $620 faucet was $324US on-line. But we'd have to pay shipping, duty and taxes on it...plus the exchange rate on the dollar.

So we tripped over to Home Depot and Rona the other day to look. Home Depot had some nice looking stuff by the same companies (Delta, Price Pfister, Moen) as the expensive store...but it was all $200-400CAD.

Why is it cheaper there? Is it just the store? Or do the companies make different levels of quality? We were warned not to put a cheap set in because they don't last. Just what qualifies as cheap? The $70CAD Canadian Tire ones? They looked pretty flimsy! But surely we won't need to spend $600-1000 for a decent quality faucet??!!!

Anyone know anything about these things?

**frugalfranny** · 12-02-2009, 11:38 PM

I only know that I like Moen........and my plumber rec. Moen.

I stick with them if they have the one handle style which I like.

My plumber and contractor said to not get one of the ones with the pull out spray hose - the ones that pull out from the main faucet........in any brand. I was informed that they would not guarantee it if I picked that kind.

Also, my sister has had one of the above mentioned and had nothing but trouble with it - finally changed it out.

Good luck.......sorry you are having plumbing problems peanut........reminds me, I have a faucet that needs a new washer. UGH ......

**sinopa27** · 12-03-2009, 05:56 AM

I am having the same problem. In fact, I posted it. Wow....the prices are ridiculous there!! Moen has a lifetime guarantee. Mine is a Moen. I tried calling them to see what I have to do but you have to leave a call back number. They return calls tues through thursday. I also found out that Moen isn't found everywhere. They are better quality.
Good luck!! Keep us posted.

**pop goes the weasel** · 12-03-2009, 06:46 AM

My faucets are about 10 years old and I paid 15.00 for them. Nothing fancy or anything and we have really bad rusty water. There was noway I was paying what they wanted for faucets.Most of the time the warranty won't cover hard or rusty water damage anyway. The other day my MIL got up and went to take a shower. She got in, turned it on and didn't notice til the water hit her that the entire spout had fallen off when she turned it on and water was spraying everywhere. So off she went to the other bathroom, keep in mind this is at 5:30 in the morning, Checked to make sure everything was intact and got in. Turned on the shower and the entire shower fixture fell off. She ended up washing her hair in the kitchen sink and the cats, all 6 of them, decided to help mom wash her hair. By this time I would have crawled back in bed lol

**Russ** · 12-03-2009, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by peanut

.

So we tripped over to Home Depot and Rona the other day to look. Home Depot had some nice looking stuff by the same companies (Delta, Price Pfister, Moen) as the expensive store...but it was all $200-400CAD.

Why is it cheaper there? Is it just the store? Or do the companies make different levels of quality? We were warned not to put a cheap set in because they don't last. Just what qualifies as cheap? The $70CAD Canadian Tire ones? They looked pretty flimsy! But surely we won't need to spend $600-1000 for a decent quality faucet??!!!

Anyone know anything about these things?

Companies make different levels of quality and HD buys at such large volumes they get cheaper prices.
Quality wise- you would probably get brass fittings and brass washers, a thicker chrome plate etc..

**KeithBC** · 12-03-2009, 01:02 PM

You can get a perfectly good faucet at Home Depot for $80-200. Anything over $200 is being marketed as high-end luxury items. You are mostly paying for the word "designer" on the box. I installed several of the inexpensive ones and have not had any trouble with any of them.

**Greebo** · 12-03-2009, 01:06 PM

Even $80 seems high to me...

**Mummy2** · 12-03-2009, 01:44 PM

I heard a garden hose is helpful!
Sorry i couldnt help my self......

I like the no frills Canadian Tire ones always have. Home Depot has some nice reasonable priced oned as well. I wouldnt go designer.

**craftypam** · 12-03-2009, 03:53 PM

I have bought inexpensive faucets and more expensive ones; I don't see a difference in how long they last. I do have a moen in my kitchen with the cartridge in it and we have replaced the cartridge and did not have to replace the whole faucet. I have recently seen faucets at Home Depot for under $100. Noticed because ds needs one.

Peanut,
Can you turn the water off under your sink between using. I know it would be a pain; but it would stop from rotting the wood.

**pollypurebred39** · 12-03-2009, 05:08 PM

We paid $100 for our kitchen one years ago. We just replaced it about 6 months ago with a $30 one from Home Depot and frankly I could not tell the difference between the two.

**Greebo** · 12-03-2009, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

We paid $100 for our kitchen one years ago. We just replaced it about 6 months ago with a $30 one from Home Depot and frankly I could not tell the difference between the two.

Sure you could.

One left you with money in the bank!

**peanut** · 12-04-2009, 01:26 PM

Thanks everyone!

Craftypam, no we can't turn the water off between uses. This house was built in 1928 and, despite a 1970s renovation, has no shutoff valves under the sink. If you want to turn the water off you have to go down into the basement and turn it off for the whole house...one of the things that will have to be fixed...

We liked some sets we saw at Home Depot...so will probably buy there.

Not sure about having the spray right in the spout though, or if maybe a separate sprayer is best. Any feedback on that everyone? Does it make a difference?

**craftypam** · 12-04-2009, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by peanut

Thanks everyone!

Craftypam, no we can't turn the water off between uses. This house was built in 1928 and, despite a 1970s renovation, has no shutoff valves under the sink. If you want to turn the water off you have to go down into the basement and turn it off for the whole house...one of the things that will have to be fixed...

We liked some sets we saw at Home Depot...so will probably buy there.

Not sure about having the spray right in the spout though, or if maybe a separate sprayer is best. Any feedback on that everyone? Does it make a difference?

frugalfranny answered that above. She said plumber would not guarantee if she got the handheld one that pulled out of the faucet

**Jayceef** · 12-04-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by peanut

We have a plumbing problem. Our kitchen tap now leaks more water than our spout has pouring out of it when we turn on the water. The problem seems to be the cold water tap. For now we are plugging the sink the water is all leaking into (when it's not leaking down the back of the counter to rot out the cupboards below!).

We talked to a plumber and he sent us to a store to look at new faucets. I just about died! The ones I liked were $1000 and $620CAD respectively! I was shell shocked. DH suggested we come home and look on-line. Sure enough the same $620 faucet was $324US on-line. But we'd have to pay shipping, duty and taxes on it...plus the exchange rate on the dollar.

So we tripped over to Home Depot and Rona the other day to look. Home Depot had some nice looking stuff by the same companies (Delta, Price Pfister, Moen) as the expensive store...but it was all $200-400CAD.

Why is it cheaper there? Is it just the store? Or do the companies make different levels of quality? We were warned not to put a cheap set in because they don't last. Just what qualifies as cheap? The $70CAD Canadian Tire ones? They looked pretty flimsy! But surely we won't need to spend $600-1000 for a decent quality faucet??!!!

Anyone know anything about these things?

Peanut just wanted to say that I feel your pain. Our faucet was leaking too a couple of weeks ago. Luckily DH is very handy and was able to put a new one in himself. I think it cost $115-120 dollars and we got it from Menards. I think that is a really high cost for a faucet, but not sure about Canadian prices. Hopefully something works out for you.

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-04-2009, 06:36 PM

You can install the shut off valves while you have the water off. Home Depot sells retrofit valves for about $10 each. They just screw on, there's nothing to it.

My mother has had the same hose sprayer on her sink for 42 years, same cheap faucet as well. Never had a problem.

I found better prices on faucets at Canadian tire than home depot, and they go on sale all the time.

You don't need a plumber for this.