Selecting a Kitchen Faucet
Choosing a new kitchen faucet largely depends on existing plumbing. The process of changing a faucet is relatively easy when you have the proper tools. There’s three important details you should look out for when you begin shopping.
Faucet Holes. Not every kitchen faucet and sink design is compatible with each other. Start by looking at your kitchen to determine the pre-drilled faucet mounting holes available. Even if you’re buying a completely new faucet and sink, you’ll still want to pay attention to the amount of holes. If there’s a mounting plate underneath your faucet, look under the sink to see how many holes the mounting plate covers. There’s usually one to four mounting holes, if there are three then two are for the handles and one for the spout. A fourth hole will be for an accessory such as a soap dispenser. Corner mounting holes may call for a longer spout to reach the opposite side of the basin. A pull-down spray nozzle is a great option for these kinds of sinks.
Check Water Lines. Make sure your new faucet is compatible with the water supply lines. Note the size of the existing water line and shut-off valves under your sink. Most valves should have the size etched onto them. If you’re unsure of the water lines, measure them with a measuring tape. Many newer faucets come with 3/8-flex lines, if the water shut-off valves are 1/2-inch you’ll need to change the valves before installing the faucet. It’s usually a good idea to replace the shut-off valves when installing a faucet since an old valve may fail when you need to shut off the water for leaks or other repairs.
Consider the Finish. An out of place plumbing fixture can break the entire aesthetic of a kitchen. Match the faucet with other accessories such as the dishwasher air gap, built-in soap dispenser and sink-hole covers. For example a shiny chrome finish will look out of place against a matte brushed nickel finish. Take it a step further and consider the other accessories in a kitchen such as cabinet drawer pulls and appliance finishes.
Source: the Spruce