What to consider when investing in a kitchen faucet

Waterstone 9750 Extended reach pull down faucet shown in black and stainless steel.

In my opinion, beyond style and finish, there are three very important things to consider when purchasing a faucet: Quality, Warranty and Faucet Reach. 

Before shifting my focus to creating one-of-a-kind custom sinks, I owned a company called Luxury Home Products. It was a large online company that sold ceiling fans, light fixtures, faucets, sinks, flooring, and more. Over time, we noticed trends with certain faucet lines. Our customers were repeatedly having the same issues that required a great deal of their time and money to fix. Unfortunately, I learned that just because a company offers a lifetime warranty doesn’t mean you can easily get the parts.

On one such occasion, a customer had an issue with their faucet. A year prior, they had experienced the same issue. The first time the company sent a replacement part. The second time, they refused the warranty. They stated that “the customer must have abused the part.” I couldn’t help but ask, “How does someone abuse a part on the inside of their faucet?”  When my customers had an issue and I could not get a resolution from the company they purchased it from, I would make every effort to help find replacement parts for them. I found myself frequently visiting this site. I noticed that Waterstone was not on their list. When I asked the owner why he didn't offer their parts, I was told simply, "We don't have calls for Watestone parts."

Waterstone takes care of their customers." 

That information helped solidify my decision.  I cancelled all my other accounts and decided to focus on a company that had always followed through on their promises: Waterstone. It has been over a decade since I first started selling Waterstone faucets, and I can honestly say they stand behind their product and treat my customers as I would want them to be treated. So, my first tip to you is do your homework! Research what the warranty entails. Does the warranty cover the finish or just cover replacement parts? Read reviews and determine for yourself if the company has a reputation for excellent customer service and is prepared to back up its product.  

Another important consideration is the quality of the materials. Lead in faucets and fittings can pose a serious health threat. Since the approval of the Safe Water Drinking Act in 1974 there has been a continued focus concerning toxic metal levels in our water. In 2020 the EPA published the regulation “Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water.” One of the reasons I feel confident in offering Waterstone faucets is that they are made in the U.S.A. and have passed rigorous safety tests. I strongly encourage anyone purchasing a new faucet to research what material is used and what safety tests it has passed. To learn more about Waterstone’s compliance certificates, please visit this page.

Finally, something many may not have considered: faucet reach. One of my passions is creating a kitchen environment that is as comfortable to work in as it is beautiful. The goal for an ergonomically comfortable faucet is simple. The user should be able to stand straight up and cup their hands forward, without reaching too far, and be under the water. To my knowledge there are less than 10 brand models on the market that come close to an 11" reach. Please review the specs on any model you are considering. Some of my customers have even created their own mock sink on the counter and measured out where their sink will sit and where the faucet will reach. It may seem like a small detail, but I guarantee your back will thank you!

Here are a few other things to consider:

Waterstone faucets are designed purposefully not to splash. I love that I can easily wash my pots and pans without getting soaked! Does your current faucet allow you to spray with full force on a flat surface like shown in this video? If so, let me know. I am always eager to learn about alternate brands. 

Time Savings...

I have personally found that I can accomplish the task of cleanup much faster with my Waterstone faucet than others I have used. I can comfortably and quickly spray out all areas of my sink.

Price or Investment?

Lastly, price is always a concern. These are expensive faucets. Only you can determine if a Waterstone faucet is a wise investment. For me personally, it is without question a wise investment, as I value my time, safety, and comfort enough to allow me to invest in an expensive faucet suite. As soon as you pick one up, you will realize they are far heavier than most, if not all, other brands. The carving of solid brass and stainless steel is an art that Waterstone has perfected. The old saying "You get what you paid for" applies here. We have many past customers that have emailed or called us to thank us for their sink and also mention that the Waterstone faucet was a wise investment.