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Kitchen
Faucet Maintenance
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The kitchen is the heart of many homes. This is the room
where
the family prepares and shares meals together. Because
so much
time is spent here, the fixtures and accessories need to
be
functional and fit with the style of the room. Kitchen
faucets
in the sink and kitchen islands are made with style in
mind.
With so many choices, you are sure to find the right fit
for
your home. Most people match the fixtures to style of
kitchen
cabinets.
Styles of Kitchen Faucets
The sink faucet use to be merely functional; the purpose
was to
deliver water to sinks for cooking or cleaning. Nobody
really
thought about what it looked like or if it matched the décor
in
the room. Those days are over. Kitchen fixtures are now
available in a range of finishes and styles to match
every
home.
Some of the available finishes include:
+ Brass (natural is more popular than polished)
+ Weathered brass
+ Nickel
+ Bronze
+ Antique copper
+ Brushed nickel
+ Stainless steel
+ Porcelain
+ Chrome
+ Black
The brushed and weathered look is more popular than the
shiny,
polished finishes. The polished chrome faucet is most
often
used in contemporary style kitchens now. Elaborate
Victorian
designs are available for more formal looking kitchens.
Their
use as a design feature has resulted in fixtures being
one of
the most popular upgrades for people purchasing a new
home.
If your home has boring fixtures that seem out of date
or don't
match your home, replacing them is easy and inexpensive.
Just
make it part of a small home improvement and decoration
project. The price for replacements varies and the
finish plays
a role in the price. Chrome is the least expensive and
most
durable material used. Other materials can be quite a
bit more
expensive and require extra care. Visit your local
plumbing or
home improvement store to see the various styles
available. A
plumber can do the job for you in about fifteen minutes.
Installation Procedures
The new faucets are easier to install than older models.
Most
manufacturers include all connections and fittings
needed to
install the unit yourself. Complete installation
instructions
are included with the faucet. Look for complete kits
that come
with the flexible hoses needed to attach to your water
supply.
If these aren't included, you will need to purchase them
separately. Don't be alarmed if you notice particles in
the
water when you finish installation. This is just
particles
trapped in the fixture from manufacturing and
installation.
They will rinse clear if you let the water run for a few
minutes.
Kitchen Faucets: Repair and Maintenance
Repairing and maintenance is easier than ever before and
can be
done by a handy homeowner. Rubber rings can be easily
replaced
at home when needed. Before working on the sink, turn
off the
water and cover the drains. Properly cleaning and
maintaining
your faucet will extend the life and keep it in good
working
order.
Check the manufacturer's directions for cleaning the
finish.
Most can be cleaned with mild soap and water or window
cleaner.
Don't use harsh cleaning products, which can damage the
finish.
Polish matte finishes with a furniture polishes. Check
the
label to be sure the product you use is safe for the
material
of your fixtures.
Shower and Bathroom Fixtures
The combination of style and function found in kitchen
fixtures
has extended into the bathroom as well. There is a wide
variety
of choices available in shower faucets. You can choose
the
standard wall mount faucet or go for a removable head.
Many can
be adjusted to regulate the water flow according to your
preference.
There are two basic choices in handles: pull out and
individual
knobs. Some people find one handle to be more convenient
and
easy to use. Two handles are more stylish and a variety
of
styles are available in the handles. You should choose
according to the style of your sink or bathtub. Faucets
can be
matched for the tub and sink, if you choose.
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