A faucet is a device used to draw and regulate the flow of liquid from a pipe. In many homes, you won’t be short of faucets, whether it’s a kitchen, bathroom, shower or tub faucet, having them means you’ll need to replace them. Imagine a situation where one of the faucets is broken and you don’t have the money to buy a new one. You will need to find a replacement.
You’re shopping for a faucet, and you pick whichever face you find, but you’re not sure what brand it is. Do you know how much it costs to find a specific brand that matches yours? The extra cost is something you should avoid, and it requires identifying the manufacturer of your faucet.
There are many ways to identify the manufacturer, these are:
1. Find the Sign
This can be done in two ways to ensure accuracy and ensure you find it.
1) Clean faucet handles and check signs
Logos or brand names can get dusty, so spray your faucet with an all-purpose cleaner. After spraying, wipe off the soap with a cloth or rag, and watch the valve or handle for signs. Logos can be specific words or shapes that represent a specific manufacturer.
2) Look under the flashlight to see all the parts of the faucet.
According to the manufacturer, some names may be small and unobtrusive, making it difficult for you to find them quickly. In this case, use a flashlight and get close to it. Make sure to look at the handle and curve of the faucet so you don’t miss a specific symbol or brand representation.
2. Find Model
If there is no logo available, you will need to identify the model number somewhere on the side. You can also apply the technique of looking for the logo on the handle of the cleaning faucet and checking the model number. If you can’t see it, using a flashlight is your best bet. Most models are small, for a closer look, use it and check all available parts. If you find the model number, type it into an online search engine and it will take you to the manufacturer’s website.
3. Calculate the Splines On the Broach and Measure the Valve Stem
First, identify the broach, which is the top of the rod that fits into the bottom of the handle. A spline is a groove on a broach. This may be a faster method since different manufacturers use different numbers of splines. To count the splines, you need to open the lid and unscrew the faucet handle. That means removing the faucet handle to count. This must be done carefully and follow the steps:
- Turn off the water supply. Closing depends on which faucet you use. For sinks, you can cut off the valve under the sink. Where you find the main water valve in your house and shut it off, showers are treated differently.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the handle. Depending on the type of handle, you can use a screwdriver set or an Allen key.
- Once you’ve unscrewed or removed the screw, pull on the stem and it will come out. Remember to pick the stems gently, sometimes the handle will come out with the stem.
To easily identify your starting point, mark one end with a marker or other visible pen. Calculates the spline from the marked point until the point is reached again. You can also do it another way by measuring the stems. The length of the stem will help you quickly identify the brand and manufacturer. Some common combinations of splines and broaches, for example, 8-point broaches are Briggs, and 16-point 0.40″ broaches are Sterling brand. The specific size can be searched online, and the brand will be known.
4. Distinguishing Feature
For faucets, specific brands have their own characteristics, you can search online, and they will give you the brand. You can also ask your friends, they will help you. These functions might look like this:
- The AD-shaped broach is the unmistakable signature of Delta faucets.
- American Standard faucets can be identified by the 22-point broach.
- By measuring the broach with a tape measure, you may find that the broach is 0.39 inches. 1/4″ means it’s a Fisher faucet.
- The stem may have a bump, this is a T&S faucet and the bump is glued to the stem.
These characteristics will undoubtedly give you an idea of the manufacturer of the faucet.
5. Using a Broach Gauge
The use of pull gauges is the preferred method of identifying the manufacturer and is highly recommended. Pull gauges allow you to more efficiently and quickly identify the brand and manufacturer of your faucet. To find a match, insert the faucet handle into the pull gauge. You can also insert the tap rod into the female end of the broach gauge and find a match.
The broach comes with a key, with which you can easily identify which brand you are dealing. The broach gauge has 18 cylindrical tubes with male and female ends. A cylinder has a mode indicating the number associated with it. Some examples include:
- Pull gauges with ID numbers 1-4 fit some American Standard faucet stems and handles.
- ID numbers 1-7 are for Kohler faucet stems and handles.
There are various ways or methods of identifying the manufacturer of the faucet. Another tip is to make sure you keep the stems with you. You’ll be able to check that it came together correctly and save you the time of going back to the store again. If you call a plumber for help, always make sure you know your brand and specific manufacturer so that damaged parts can be easily replaced.