Page 48 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

THE HOMEOWNER’S HANDBOOK EIGHTH EDITION

Plumbing10

Technology plus behavior change saves water.

Faucets and fixtures are more

miserly than ever before, Durable Faucet Features

but your behavior plays an Faucet Body and Finish

important role, too. Solid stainless steel is durable,
hygienic and resists chipping
and scratching. Physical Vapor
HE FAUCET AND fixture industry has consistently Deposition (PVD) finishes, which are
delivered the eco-friendly goods. Their products molecularly bonded to the surface,
get more efficient and more durable almost every are durable.
year, yet remain remarkably affordable. Every year, Inside the Faucet
bath, kitchen and laundry gadgets help us reduce Stainless steel components will last
T water usage by about 5 percent. But as a nation, much longer than plastic. Ceramic
we’re still slipping—using about the same volume of fresh water disc cartridges are far superior to
every year. compressed rubber seals and are
But it’s not just our water use indoors that needs belt tightening. standard on most faucets.
Lawn irrigation accounts for up to 35 percent of water use in many Spray Hoses
homes. A combination of native landscaping, rainwater harvesting, If your faucet has an extender, make
graywater systems and smart irrigation controls can greatily reduce sure the hose is made from braided
water waste. stainless steel rather than plastic.
Indoors, it’s important to make sure all the faucets, fixtures and
showerheads in your home are on their best behavior. That means IMAGE: MGS SPIN D FAUCET
installing the most durable, water-stingy, appropriately priced models
available. If you’re not sure how to recognize these parameters, here’s low-cost ones—now come with limited lifetime warranties that cover
a quick overview. all part failures for the original owner. Still, who wants to chase down
warranties? The easiest solution: Spend a little more up front for a
FAUCET FUNCTION brand that cares about its reputation, and chances are you’ll get a
Better Technology better made, more durable product.
In modern faucets, ceramic washers have largely replaced rubber
ones. These diamond-hard discs should last forever. But in our FAUCET FINISHES
experience, that’s not always the case. We’ve seen less expensive New Durability
faucets and shower handles, even ones with ceramic discs, develop Ever heard of physical vapor deposition finish? It’s just one of
leaks within a year or two of installation, possibly because other parts the high-tech finishes being used on faucets. With these advanced
of the assembly are not as tough. Fortunately, many faucets—even
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FLEX HOUSE SPONSOR Rachio Wi-Fi Smart
American Standard Sprinkler Controller
FloWise Showerhead This sprinkler controller offers “set
The FloWise three-function showerhead uses a it and forget it” intelligence that can
turbine to rotate the head. This provides the user compensate for weather, season
with a full, satisfying spray, while only using 1.5 and the unique characteristics of
gallons of water per minute, well below the limits irrigation zones. It can also track
set by the EPA’s WaterSense program. water use over time.
www.americanstandard-us.com www.rachio.com

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