If you just take a moment here and think the number of times we use our kitchen taps every day you’d realise it’s oft one of the most used items in our kitchen. Whether you’re looking to put a compelling finishing touch to your kitchen or update the existing scheme, choosing the right kitchen tapcan be quite the challenge. After all, how do you choose between those slick chrome kitchen taps and those gorgeous brass fittings or perhaps the extremely seductive matt black designs? There are certain things you must know before you purchase one; from helpful smart features to routine functions and everything in between ensure your tap has got it all!

Are kitchen taps universal?

While there are certain things you must consider vis-a-vis height and dimension, there are no standard sizes or types for kitchen faucets. If your sink is not too deep perhaps you’d want to go ahead with a tall faucet. With kitchen taps there’s no one size fits all. From single lever taps to deck mixer taps, pull out kitchen taps and pillar taps, the types are way too many to be considered a universal standard. Ensure you integrate your kitchen taps seamlessly, matching the tap material with storage canisters, cabinet handles and perhaps even cookware. Ensure your tap is compatible with your home’s water pressure as well. Often you can get kitchen taps with filtered water especially if you’re living in a hard water area. 

Why are kitchen taps so expensive?

If you thought purchasing a new kitchen faucet may seem like an expensive purchase, you may want to think again. Faucets are comprised of various tiny parts inside them that vary greatly in quality. They are made of different materials which affect the price in turn. Solid brass for instance offers a superior finish and durability when compared to other materials. Your faucet may have certain inbuilt features that are likely ti impact the price. Style, colour, shape and quality all are crucial factors that make your kitchen faucet more expensive than usual. You may also want to consider the shipping and installation money. However, the right (and expensive) one will help you dodge potentially harmful points, leaks, and malfunctions of ill-fitting, inferior quality hardware.

How long should kitchen taps last?

The lifespan of kitchen faucets are dependent on a lot of factors but on average they should last you for around 20 years. They are crafted to be durable. Determining if it’s time to repair or replace will also be affected by damages and cost. Things like leaks can usually be fixed with a repair than an entire replacement. All that needs to be done is removing the handle and tightening the adjusting ring. Similarly squats also don’t warrant a replacement but a repair. But of course like all good things in life, they don’t last forever. They are likely to break down and suffer wear and tear from use over time. If your home especially runs on hard water it can cut down on your plumping’s lifespan drastically. 

How to clean kitchen taps?

First, know the finish of your faucet. It’s vital as it determines which cleaning products and tools are best to take on the task at hand. For most finishes, using abrasive brushes or scrub sponges is not a great idea. A cleaning cloth for most cases should suffice. 

• If they aren’t particularly dirty, you can use dish soap and warm water. Simply rub the sink fixture with the dish soap and dry with an unused cleaning cloth. Buff the faucet with the cloth to make it truly shine!
• If they have a bad grime problem that just won’t budge, you can try using white vinegar. Add half a cup of white vinegar to half a cup of hot water. Dip a cleaning cloth and rub the solution over the grime. However first you may wanna try it out on a small section to ensure it doesn’t damage the faucet’s finish.
• Baking soda is extremely efficient at cleaning most surfaces. Spray a small amount to an old toothbrush and add a small drop of water. Scrub around your faucet and other relevant areas on the fixture with the solution to remove stubborn, nasty stains. 
• Lemon can help remove limescale buildups from your taps. 

How to install kitchen taps?

Depending on the style of your kitchen sink and the number of holes, the process may vary but it’s fairly easy nonetheless. 

• Prep for installation by checking the number of holes, clearing out products and supplies under the sink. 
• Shut water off at the supply valves. Try using a pair of pliers to improve your grip. Disconnect water supply lines and remove faucet connections to remove the old faucet if you have one.
• For single handle faucet, the built in supple lines will come labeled as hot and cold so you’ll need to connect these to corresponding water supply valves. 
• Anchor the hot and cold valves and connect water and flush lines. 
• Form a seal between faucet base and the countertop using a putty to attach it. Most faucets have an O-ring in the base and don’t require a sealant. 

If you need help with the installation process, it’s always better to seek professional help. Especially if you’re relatively new to this. Kitchen taps need to be a lot of things, but most importantly they need to be robust and durable, with smooth handling to easily adjust the flow of water and temperature. If you’ve got yourself a stylish, one-of-a-kind faucet that ticks all the boxes, you’re all set to cook to your heart’s content now!