Kitchen faucets are one of the busiest things at home, but did you know the nitty-gritty behind your faucets?
This article will help you understand how kitchen faucet works.
First, let’s tackle the fundamental kitchen faucet parts before we dive deeper into how water comes out of it.
Basic Kitchen Faucet Parts
1. Handle
The faucet handle lets you control water flow and temperature by rotating or turning the knob or lever in a specific direction.
There are many kitchen faucet handles, but single-handle and double-handle faucets are the most common ones, which we will tackle later in this article.
2. Valve
The valve also controls the shower faucet. It is known as the heart of every functioning faucet.
But unlike the handle, valves are situated on the interior of the faucet.
Both the valves and handles primarily regulate water flow from the supply tubes to the spout.
Moreover, kitchen faucet valves also come in different types, which are the following:
- Ceramic disc valve
- Compression valve
- Cartridge valve
- Ball valve
3. Body
Hot and cold water are mixed in the faucet body through a pipe joining two separate valves before passing through the spout.
4. Spout
The first thing you’ll notice in the kitchen faucet is the spout or the part where water comes out.
Faucet spouts come in various designs, such as the following:
Straight spout
This faucet spout style provides a long reach with a low profile.
Gooseneck spout
The Gooseneck spout has a high-arc shape that is convenient for filling deep pots.
Shepherd’s Crook design
This faucet spout is literally shaped like a crooked staff, creating a more eye-catching design.
Articulating spout
Articulating faucet spouts have a semi-flexible hose that lets you direct the water stream at a larger range of movement.
Pull-out spouts
Pull-out faucet spouts have a retractable spray head with a longer hose that you can pull out of the faucet body.
Pull-down spouts
Pull-down spouts have a head that can be pulled down into the sink but come with a shorter, magnetized type of hose to stay in place when not in use.
Hands-free spouts
Hands-free spouts are the newer, more innovative versions of faucets that you can turn on with the help of a foot pedal or motion sensor.
5. Mount
A faucet mount (or deck mount) keeps everything in place and is connected to the sink.
It usually comes with an escutcheon to cover the holes in the sink and make the faucet look elegant and clean.
Simple Explanation About How a Faucet Works
Phase 1: Turn the handle to open the water flow
At this stage, the valve that is directly connected to the handle (lever or knob) clears all the pathways for water to pass through the body to the spout.
Phase 2: Hot and cold water mix
In the faucet body, the hot and cold water are now mixed depending on the user’s preference.
Phase 3: Water temperature adjusts
Depending on the brand or features, your faucet adjusts the water temperature if it reaches too high by turning off the hot water and raising cold water pressure, thanks to the faucet cartridge.
Phase 4: Water flowing out in the spout
The water now passes from the faucet body through the spout and down to your sink.
