A faucet may seem like a simple contraption, usually taken for granted in kitchens.
However, it is important to know all the components of a kitchen faucet just in case something goes wrong so you can save a lot of money knowing what to fix and avoid being outsmarted by plumbers.
There are a lot of things that make up a kitchen faucet. The following is a list of parts and hardware I have compiled for your understanding.
Gaskets
Gaskets are like a lock system to prevent water leakage from the joints of the faucets. They are also known as O-rings or adjusting rings and they are usually made out of either metal or rubber.
Escutcheons
These are widely used by plumbers and they are basically a decorative piece to remove the eyesore that is the opening for attaching pipes. They are also used to protect that opening from any external contamination. These escutcheons come in all shapes and sizes.
Flanges
Flanges are like joints. They are the screws of the kitchen faucet that hold the parts together.
Aerators
In order to minimize the usage of water, aerators are installed in kitchen faucets. This is one of the most important parts of a kitchen faucet as it plays a role in helping the environment.
Aerators help control the amount flowing through the actual faucet. They are basically a mesh screen through which water is separated into lots of tiny streams.
Shut-Off Valve
Shut-off valves are another method in controlling the flow of the water.
It is special and different from aerators because it actually helps to stop harmful fluids from flowing out of the faucet.
Controls
The controls of the faucet mainly consist of levers or handles. Of course, you need a way to turn the faucet on and off and so, handles and levers do just that.
They are easily replaceable and come in a variety of styles and shapes.
The Spout And Spout Assembly
The spout is basically the drain of the kitchen faucet. It is the hole through which the water flows. The spout assembly is the parts of the kitchen faucet used to regulate the spout.
Faucet Stems
Faucet stems, also known as compression stems, are two individual pipes that gradually joined into one pipe when it reaches the end of the faucet, the end through which the water flows.
Usually one of the two pipes have hot water flowing through them and the other has cold water.
Washers
Washers are a type of load distributing hardware that is used to connect aerators to compression stems in kitchen faucets.
They look like small metal discs with a hole in the center and they help prevent damage to the parts being connected. Washers can be found to be made out of plastic, metal, or rubber.
Stem Screws
In order to install washers at the very end of the faucet, you need stem screws. Stem screws help keep washers stay in place.
Sprayer
A lot of kitchen faucets come with sprayers. They are like a detachable hose to spray water. This is perfect for cleaning hard to reach places.
Hose Guide
A hose guide is a special kind of fitting for faucets to help regulate the direction of the flow of the water and the ease of maneuvering the water.
Mounting Nut/Bolt
Another one of the important components of a kitchen faucet is a mounting nut. It is a hardware that fastens the kitchen faucet to the sink.
All in all
With technology advancing every day, kitchen appliances are becoming much easier to handle. However, it is important to educate yourself on the basics so you can fix things yourself and save money.
I hope that this anatomical break down will help you better understand the components of a kitchen faucet.
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