Ball faucets are very common in kitchen sinks and were the first type of washerless faucet. They are identifiable by their single handle that moves over a rounded ball-shaped cap right above the base of the faucet spout. The ball faucet has a single handle that controls a special plastic or metal ball inside the faucet body. This ball has chambers or slots in it, along with rubber O-rings and spring-loaded rubber seals. Depending on the ball’s position, the ball/lever assembly controls the flow and mixing temperature of the water coming out of the faucet. Though the exterior part of the faucet itself is just as durable as other types of faucets, the inner workings may not be as durable and will need more maintenance than others. Because of the number of parts that make up this type of faucet, ball faucets tend to leak more than other washerless faucets such as the cartridge faucet or disc faucet. On the flip side, because it is an older technology, the ball faucet is one of the least expensive types of faucets. Ceramic disc faucets are the latest development in modern faucet technology. They are identifiable by their single lever over a wide cylindrical body. The disk faucet mixes hot and cold water inside a mixing chamber called a pressure balance cartridge. Two ceramic discs at the bottom of the chamber will raise and lower to control the volume of water flow. The temperature is controlled by a side-to-side rotation of the handle. These faucets are high-quality, very reliable, and do not need to be repaired very often. However, because the faucet is newer technology and highly durable, it is also more expensive than other types of faucets. You will barely need to move the lever to run your water. These faucets are very sensitive to touch, making them ideal for people with arthritis or hand grip challenges. Double-handle cartridge faucets look almost indistinguishable from a compression washer faucet. However, you can tell the difference by how the handles feel when used. A compression faucet requires you to tighten down (compress) the washer to close the water flow. With a cartridge faucet, the action is smooth and consistent. With a half-turn, the handle goes from the off to the on position. The faucet turns off without added pressure being required as with a compression faucet. The cartridges are considered durable and easy to replace, which means this type of faucet could need less maintenance than other types. However, depending on the manufacturer and model of your sink, the cartridges may be costly to replace; some may cost over $100. Compression washers have been around since the beginning of on-demand indoor plumbing. They are found in older homes, and updated versions are often used in utility sinks in newer homes to this day. These faucets are typically the least expensive to buy, but they are not as durable long-term as most of them are prone to leaks and maintenance. On the bright side, replacement parts are very inexpensive. Compression washer faucets are identifiable by their separate hot and cold water handles and their action requiring you to tighten the handles down to close off the water flow. These faucets work by using a compression stem, which is a type of glorified screw with a washer at the end of it pressing against a valve seat. Consider your sink configuration, as well. If you want to replace a two-handle faucet with a single-handle faucet, you can do that too, just make sure the baseplate of the new single-handle faucet will adequately cover the extra holes. However, if you only have one hole, you will need to stick with a single-handle faucet. If you are trying to decide on buying one type of faucet over another, consider these five additional factors:
