DIY Faucet and Shower Projects

When I talk about design, I'm not talking about the appearance of a faucet, instead I'm talking about the thought and planning that went into the water supply system that connects to it. For example, if design isn't right when a high flow shower system is installed (e.g., small size supply pipe), then the $5,000 shower "power wash" won't have enough to flow. If piping layout isn't good, drains can repeatedly get blockages. If a landscape patio "fire ring" is limited by the ½" stub out intended for a small BBQ, the flames will be smaller than the design.

Good design can get higher grade products for less money! A good design will be less trouble than a poor design.

Some examples:

• Single hole lavatory faucets are a good design. They provide only one hole to cut, and clean around, and only one to install, no tubes to connect below the basin, less to leak, and cost less too! Wide spread lavatory faucets require three holes in the counter top or sink basin and are expensive. Wall mount are even better, as wet hands will drip into the basin and not on the area at the base of the faucet. However, this is a design-in feature, not a faucet-only choice.
• Distribution of hot water (multiple water heaters) is better than long distances to run and wait for hot water.
• Design of the laundry at the highest point in the house is a good design, as it uses the volume of the laundry water to flush out other waste (that has been reduced in volume due to plumbing code requirements). This keeps the entire drain system healthy.

These are just a few simple examples of the hundreds of things to consider. Let me help you design and lay out your project, and give you some suggestions on good, efficient, and cost effective design choices that will enhance the pleasure you get out of your home systems.

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Trendy finishes sell faucets, and lots of them. That is how volume name brand faucets are sold in a wide market. This requires selling to the lowest price availability and to the people willing to pay. Marketing names do studies to find what buyers want, then mix and match the prices with the finishes and shapes (colonial, tuscan, etc.). After the most wanted finish is determined, they only put that finish on the "top of the line" series.

All of this marketing cost money, and lots of it. This money comes from what the manufacturers do not put into the product.

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Washerless faucets typically have a 1/4 turn from off to fully on, they do have rubber working surface (but not a washer or compression to seal). To seal they use rubber working surfaces that rotate against each other to allow flow or not. These are generally better than washer type faucet (but not as good as ceramic valves).

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Ceramic-valve faucets typically have a 1/4 turn from off to fully on, and do not have rubber working surfaces or washers. To seal they use a perfectly flat pair of ceramic surfaces that rotate against each other to allow flow or not. These are generally the best.

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