Delta Faucets

[CivicFan]

Today I had to go back to Delta faucets. Some 4 years ago when we did the kitchen remodelling, we replaced a trusty old Delta faucet with a snazzy looking Price Pfister. The thought was that a widely available brand name should be reliable. Plus, it's a faucet and repairing it is not a big deal. It looked good, the wife liked it so we got it.

Well, the idea that it would be reliable and if anything went wrong would be easy to fix was not quite correct. Within a year the internal valve broke so had to get a replacement. The it started leaking. Then it stopped.

A couple months ago it started leaking badly if intermittently.

Long story short, got really sick and tired of the recurring problems so went back to Delta. It's got a much cleaner design, no extra parts to buy as all you need is in the box and it's more environmentally clean without any lead components in it. I don't know what 'diamond coated' valve is but I hope that they have maintained their reliability.

Had I invested those $200 four years ago in the stock market instead of wasting on Price Pfister, I would have $100 in my account now.

You live, you learn, I guess.

 

[tom slick]

I ran into a similar issue with an american standard faucet. it was leaking after 1 year. nobody carries parts for it, including HD, Lowes, Ace, True Value, and Ferguson could order it. Replaced it with a delta, common parts available everywhere.

I prefer Moen, Delta, and Kohler.

 

[mpvue]

the big box stores carry a cheaper line of stuff made just for them. it's hard (impossible?) to get replacement parts for them.
it's best to get faucets from a regular plumbing supplier; maybe more expensive, but better items. I saw a cutaway comparison once comparing a HD faucet to one from an independent dealer; it wasn't pretty.
same thing w/ power tools. HD sells porter cable, but you won't find those same tools in an independent porter cable dealer. it's like a parallel universe.

 

[tom slick]

Local plumbing supply shops are "wholesale only" no public allowed although the Ferguson will sell through their showroom at an extra markup.

I've repaired quite a few power tools and have yet to find a difference between major brands sold at dealers or box stores if they are the same model.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I have Price Pfister kitchen faucet for almost 10 years without leaking, the chrome finish of the head was fading so I called Price Pfister services they shipped the replacement head free of charge without question.

 

[GMBoy]

I had similiar experiences with Moen. Bought really nice chrome&gold fixturs with the promise of long life and easy repairs. Bull. These faucets needed the cartridges relaced 2x a year! And it's not like a 10cent washer, but nearly $20 each and a pain to change.

Delta has always been a low cost, but reliable faucet. Parents have had them for years - still no repairs made.

 

[chas3]

i have been unable to find the new 'ceramic' valves anywhere locally regardless of faucet brand. if i needed to fix a faucet, i guess i would have to order online. i guess no one stocks these valves because they are supposed to last atleast a decade before replacement.

 

[H2GURU]

Wow, great post. I had all these same things happen to me! House came equipped with Delta but over the years a needed "something better" and turned to American Standard and it leaked in 11 months. Also tried the Moen as the material seemed much better but its GUTS were also junk as it was replaced after 2 years. Next time I'm going back to DELTA! The only caveat I have is over the years cities and towns are adding more corrosive chemicals to kill the more prevelent bacteria in the drinking water and it may ultimately not matter which manufacturer you use?

 

[Papa Bear]

Sounds like your intestines may fail before the ceramic stainless steel.

 

[JTK]

Civic- I'm glad you started this post! I'm in the midst of a bathroom (nightmare as usual) tear out and re-do and have yet to pick out a sink and shower faucet. I haven't had problems with the Price-Pfisters or store bought Moens we've bought in the past and Deltas seem to do well too. I would surely hesitate to spend the $$$ for a 'real' Moen again though. We went that route with a simple kitchen faucet. IIRC, it was about $350. The simple Swanstone sink and faucet cost me $700 from a Kitchen and bath shop, with the supposed 'real' stuff.

Joel

 

[benjamming]

Kohler has provided good service for us thus far. We bought from Ferguson through the back not showroom. They knew me from a local business where I worked.

 

[junebug]

I have 54 Delta faucets in my apt. bldg. All are 34 yrs. old and still working fine. Do need to replace the cartriges about every 10 yrs.Delta is good stuff and parts are available.

 

[junebug]

I meant "cartridges" or "guts" Parts at Hardware Hank or some at Menards.