Time For A New Kitchen Faucet. Recommendations?

[Flogger]

Delta has excellent customer service and they stand behind their limited warranty. In 2001 I paid 159.99 for a single handle pull out spout kitchen faucet in biscuit. Due to my hard water problems, (even with a softener), in a couple of years the enamel or whatever finish it is, badly flaked off. No questions asked, they sent a new one. Few years later, same problem. I called and asked if I could pay extra and upgrade to stainless steel, (nickel). Bless their heart, they upgraded me for free. Since then things were going along okay until at times it became extremely difficult to rotate the spout from left to right and back. I figured there must be a hard water build up inside the valve housing and I tried taking off the handle and the bonnet and pouring straight vinegar down around the problem area. This seems to help free the calcium build up. However, I'd had to do this so many times, the threads in the handle which hold the set screw wore out. I called Delta and they said no problem. They sent me a new handle and a new cartridge because the agent figured the stem must be worn out, too. I put the new handle on, but I still have the problem with the stiff rotation. Looking at the parts diagram I see there are a couple of O rings which I believe are worn and causing the undue friction. The last time I tried removing the nut which holds in the cartridge, even after soaking over night with vinegar, I could not budge it with my crescent wrench. I'm afraid I'll break something and then wind up turning a mole hill into a mountain.

I can't blame Delta, they have bent over backward to help me. I think their stuff is very well made. The bath tub/shower valve I put in back in 1980 has never leaked and still works like new.

If you remove the spout, clean it up and lube it with plumbing grease you'll be happy. My Delta is 15+ years old and I am needing to do the spout for the second time.

 

[Pilot]

If buying new, compare the flow volumes. California makes the rules and manufacturers conform to California regardless of where the product goes. So here in Oregon where we get 40-70 inches of rain a year, we are stuck with low flow faucets.

 

[SandburRanch]

Operational problems can be mostly solved for a long time ( hard water included ) by dis assembly and applying a liberal coating of water proof plumber's grease on any moving parts ( and their mating surfaces ) of new faucets, all assembly threads included. There are many brands to choose from and a small tub will last a lifetime.
Plumber's Silicone Grease | Oils, Lubricants & Hand Cleaners | Hercules

 

[72RR]

My house was built in 1964 using Kohler faucets & fixtures; I have lived in it since 1994. The few times I have had problems, Kohler has mailed replacements parts to me at no cost. When remodeling back in 94/95, I put in two Price Pfisters that lasted less than 5 years before I had problems with them; good luck getting parts for them. I replaced them with Kohlers. Three years ago I installed a Moen in out laundry room re-mod, no problems as of yet.

 

[SweBota]

Hansgrohe and Grohe makes very high quality products, I've used them both since 30 years back. We have installed about a dozen of this one and never had a problem:

Focus - Einhebel-Küchenmischer für offene Warmwasserbereiter | Hansgrohe Deutschland

/Marcus

 

[JDgreen227]

A bit late here but it's hard to go wrong with Delta or Moen if you spend at least $200+. My kitchen has a Delta pullout faucet and I have only had to rebuild it one time in 13 years...I really like the quality, BUT: My sink is one of those with a large right hand bowl and a smaller left hand bowl, and I would prefer the spout would extend further into the larger bowl area...since both the faucet and sink were special ordered I would have had to pay a restocking fee to return either....look at the attachment and you will see what I mean...hopefully it will prevent someone else from making the mistake I did.

 

[2458n]

You want a Kohler, My house is 60 years old and parts were available. Chrome is still bright.

 

[AchingBack]

If you remove the spout, clean it up and lube it with plumbing grease you'll be happy. My Delta is 15+ years old and I am needing to do the spout for the second time.

Because my bonnet in my Delta kitchen faucet is frozen inside the hub assembly, I am unable to replace the O-rings. This causes the hub assembly to stick on one side of the sink or the other, depending upon it's position when you last used it. I've tried soaking overnight in vinegar, applied generous amounts of Marvel mystery oil, all to no avail. Today, after deciding to try loosening it once more, I could see I was close to rounding the shoulders on the bonnet from using my crescent wrench; my big channel locks put a firm grip on it, but they also left some nice jaw marks in the brass.

Delta is such a great company. In my frustration, I decided to call them and ask if they'd send me a plumber. After thoroughly explaining the situation to the customer service rep, she stepped away to talk with a supervisor. The final result is - I'm getting a brand new stainless steel faucet with the pull-out spout. Who could ask for more from a company? This is the second time they gave me a new faucet. The first time was due to a problem with the biscuit finish on my original one. The first time it failed they sent a new escutcheon. When the finish began flaking away and exposing the brass, I called them again. I asked if I could pay the difference to be upgraded to the stainless model; a huge price difference at the time. No, they said; we are upgrading you at no cost.

Oh happy day.

 

[KubotainNH]

My house was built in 03. I put mostly American Standard faucets except for the kitchen one which was Glacier or something like that. They all have lifetime warranties. I've had no issues with any but the kitchen ones. The company replaced the handle on it once because the button for spray fell apart. I eventually switched it to American Standard to see if it would last longer. After a few years the enamel started pealing. They sent me a new one with a quick call to an English speaking person. None of my faucets ever have leaked, it's usually more of a cosmetic thing on the kitchen one. The kitchen faucets take a beating so I guess I'll keep getting free handles when needed. Very easy to unscrew it from the hose.

 

[newbury]

Reviving this thread because I need a new high arc 4 hole kitchen faucet/spray combo and after pouring over reviews on websites I'm concerned about PRESENT quality versus past.
Both Delta and Moen seem to offer great customer support.
But I've read some reviews that say the top of the line Delta at Lowes was chromed plastic for the base. At HD one response wrote:

The sprayer is made of a non-metallic material

Since they don't stock these expensive (~$200) it has to be shipped, so what's the 2017 best faucet in the TBN opinion?