Recommendations for kitchen faucets?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-24-2010, 06:48 PM

We installed a Peerless faucet with sprayer in the kitchen about a year ago. Everything was fine until about a month ago.

The pipes starting banging. The only place it was doing it was in the kitchen. We figured that air got into the pipes, but we couldn't figure out how.

So earlier today as I was washing dishes, I asked DH if the air could have gotten into the pipes via the faucet. More importantly, the sprayer was spraying water through a part on the handle that had been machined together. When we had the sprayer turned on, there was no thumping in the pipes. When we had the sprayer turned off, but held upside down, the water would jet out of that little machined area on the handle.

We discovered that the faucet and sprayer need to be replaced. We'd like to go with a faucet that doesn't have a sprayer because I really don't need one. We'd like it to look nice, but not cost us a lot. Are there any recommendations for faucet manufacturers? Which ones should we stay away from?

Thanks!

**Russ** · 01-24-2010, 07:30 PM

I'm glad you found the issue. That one will go in my memory of home repair oddities.

As for the faucet, I recommend Moen brand. I have had 2 Delta's, both had plating issues within 2 years.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-24-2010, 07:47 PM

I really do like the look of the Moen faucets and the ones in the house, that are Moen, are still functional.

DH wants to wait until we replace the counter to get a new faucet. I don't blame him. We're torn between one that has a sprayer and one that doesn't. I think if we do, Moen's gonna be our choice.

I wanted one like MIL has, and she absolutely hates hers. I'll have to find out why.

**frugalfranny** · 01-25-2010, 02:14 AM

I ABSOLUTELY swear by Moen. Won't buy any other.

And with my VERY HARD water, I empty the screens every two to three months, but have one faucet (bathroom) that is over 35 years old!!!

A contractor that did some remodeling for me said to NOT buy any faucet, no matter the brand, that has the pullout sprayer. My sister had one and had nothing but trouble with it. It started leaking soon after installation - hose broke - she finally replaced it. If you want the sprayer (and I like them) get one that goes on the side - separate from the faucet!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-25-2010, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I ABSOLUTELY swear by Moen. Won't buy any other.

And with my VERY HARD water, I empty the screens every two to three months, but have one faucet (bathroom) that is over 35 years old!!!

A contractor that did some remodeling for me said to NOT buy any faucet, no matter the brand, that has the pullout sprayer. My sister had one and had nothing but trouble with it. It started leaking soon after installation - hose broke - she finally replaced it. If you want the sprayer (and I like them) get one that goes on the side - separate from the faucet!

I definitely think that'd be the option for us to go with. DH wants one, but I don't care for one. The sprayers on both faucets we've had in the kitchen since we bought the house have gone bad on us. I'm starting to think I have the kitchen faucet sprayer curse.

I think if we're waiting to install the countertop, I'd get a really nice one that's Moen only. Peerless is no longer on my list of desired products for the house.

**frugalfranny** · 01-26-2010, 01:28 AM

Good luck with whatever you pick.

Ask some plumbers what they like, if you know any. My plumber rec. Moen too. Say the same thing about the sprayer IN the faucet.....don't do it.

You might also check the consumer report website to see what they say.

**cab54** · 02-16-2010, 07:31 PM

Moen. Wonderful.

**druthb00** · 02-16-2010, 08:00 PM

The new Deltas have lifetime warranty finishes, the older models did not. I would not ever buy a Moen after working in a plumbing/heating supply store for 5 years. The plumbers in Chicago swore by them, the ones in NW Indiana hated them. I guess a difference of opinion there. The faucet brands we had the best luck with in our showroom as far as little to no problems were Delta, Danze, Grohe, Kohler. We had numerous problems with American Standard, Moen (a line we dropped), and Price Pfister. I have a Price Pfister at the apartment I'm currently in and the sprayer inside the faucet is already drooping, we're the 1st tenants here. Delta on the other hand has a new technology with many of their gooseneck (good for big pots) faucets, there's actually a magnet that makes the spray head stay connected to the faucet when not in use. Whichever way you go, I would definitely head to a local wholesaler in the area and peek around, ask for advice if they have a showroom. Many of the people in these places have been in the business for years whereas the college kids at Lowes haven't. The best thing you can do is go with a brand that one of the wholesalers trusts and has replacement parts in store for. It'll drive you crazy if you have well water when your seats and springs in the faucets go out every other year and the company in town doesn't have the $3 part to fix it in stock. Just my two cents

**NewLeaf** · 02-17-2010, 09:57 AM

I have Moen "goose neck" type of faucet w/sprayer on the side. I love it for big pots. I have never had a problem.

**Trishagirl** · 02-17-2010, 10:50 AM

I have a Price Phister but the problem I have is the sprayer stopped working but don't need to use it anyway, I like moen too though. I have hard water also and irony water and no water softener.

**mama2James** · 02-17-2010, 10:52 AM

We just bought a Price Pfister, the tall, curved style with a seperate sprayer on the side and a single control for pressure and temp. I like the tall design for filling pots and pitchers, and the single control that I could operate with the side of my wrist or my forearm was important to me. I hate touching faucet handles when I've been preparing meat!
Dh originally said he like the sprayer that's part of the faucet, but when we got to the store, almost all of the display models had the sprayer all loose and dangling. There were a couple with the magnet inside the head to hold it in, but those were out of our price range. We figured, the simpler the design, the longer it will probably last.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-17-2010, 11:22 AM

I really do love the goose neck faucets, which is something I've been wanting for a very long time. We have such issues with filling pots.

DH won't budge on the sprayer portion. He says he wants one because it makes it easier to clean out things. It actually sort of does, especially when I rinse out the bottom of my trash can after I've put baking soda and vinegar in it.

I'll contact a few places and see what their recommendations are also. I think we're either leaning towards Kohler or Moen. I'm curious about the warranty thing with Delta, so I'll check into that too.

For now, we put a hose clamp on the sprayer and tightened it. It's working! So our purchase isn't imminent anymore; now we're just doing our research. I'm gonna check my BIL's Consumer Reports account to see what their recommendations are, as well.

**mama2James** · 02-17-2010, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

DH won't budge on the sprayer portion. He says he wants one because it makes it easier to clean out things. It actually sort of does, especially when I rinse out the bottom of my trash can after I've put baking soda and vinegar in it.

I totally agree on having a spray, I love it! I just don't like it as part of the actual faucet...seems like they haven't figured out how make them correctly.