A leaking faucet can become a real problem if left unchecked, it can cause water damage to your sink and is generally annoying to put up with.
Whether it’s the faucet in your bathroom or kitchen, if it isn’t working like it’s supposed to then it may be time to do something about it!
But before you go and throw away the whole faucet for a new one, it might be worth trying to replace the faulty part.
But trying to find the right part for your model of faucet can be extremely difficult.
It’s common knowledge that most manufacturers only stock parts for certain models, so being able to identify the correct model of your faucet is essential.
Let us help you identify your faucet with these handy tips below, so that you can feel that unique sense of accomplishment when you manage to repair your faucet without replacing the whole thing, saving yourself time and money!
Is It Time For A Replacement?
The sad truth is that it may be time to replace the whole faucet if it has been leaking excessively for a long period of time.
Faucet replacements can often be expensive so it is definitely worth trying to fix the faulty parts before shelling out for a completely new one.
If the faucet is just leaking or dripping occasionally, it may be fairly easy to fix the faucet.
Squeaking noises can indicate that the problem is with the stem valve and may need a coating of grease to resolve the issue.
Low water pressure or even irregular water flow can also indicate that there may be some problems within the faucet.
Identifying The Manufacturer
In order to determine the particular brand of your faucet (see also ‘ Top 7 Faucet Brands In The USA’ ), there are a few steps to take.
This is an essential part of being able to purchase the correct replacement parts as often, manufacturers will only sell parts for a specific model.
A good place to start is with the logo, sometimes the logo may be bold and easy to locate and other times, it may be small and elusive.
If you can see that your faucet is dirty or grubby, it is worth giving it a scrub as this may reveal the logo beneath the dirt.
If that doesn’t work, try looking on the other parts of the faucet to see if the logo is hidden somewhere else.
Finding The Model Number
Once again, manufacturers tend to only sell parts for specific models, so finding the model number on your faucet is essential to getting the right parts.
Often, the model number will be next to the logo, but if this is not the case, try looking at the spout, escutcheon etc.
The Broach And The Stem
The next step is to try and determine the number of splines in the broach, which is the part fitted onto the bottom handle, right next to the stem.
The splines are the grooves in the broach and you will need to know how many there are as this will help with identifying the faucet and furthermore, help identify the proper cartridge replacement, if you need one.
Spline and broach combinations are commonly used together and can be found on the internet for reference.
Once you have removed the broach from the faucet stem cartridge, make sure the water is also turned off to avoid things getting very messy!
How To Identify Parts
Once the broached end has been located, you can try and use various faucet stem identification charts to make things easier.
These charts will help outline which cartridges, stems and kits there are for each model and may help to identify which model your faucet is.
Another useful tool is broach charts, which can also help identify the manufacturer and faucet stem identification apps, which can help with identifying the model of your faucet.
Is It Worth Replacing The Entire Faucet Or Just The Broken Parts?
This is a common question that most people have and ultimately it depends on whether the repairs that you are able to make would resolve the issue.
If you find that you are continuously replacing your parts, be it the stem, broach, valve or anything else, and the issue is still not resolved, it may mean that it’s time to replace the whole faucet.
However, if you are able to identify which old part is causing the issue and fix it by replacing the part, there is no need to throw away the whole faucet.
Maintenance
Maintaining your faucet with a wax coating can help stop the parts from stripping when being installed, so it can be a really good idea to seal your faucet and its various parts with a simple furniture wax, to ensure longevity.
There’s no need to go overboard, however; a light coating will do the trick.
