Choosing Bathroom Sink Faucets

Touch pad controls contain several functions: hot and cold water variations; incremental volume increases; a digital readout; and memorizing the ideal setting of temperature and flow rate for up to five persons. These controls may be installed flush with the countertop or as part of a faucet.

Bathtub fittings include the valve, the spout and (as a separate component) a waste/over-flow. A separate hand-held personal shower may also be included in the mix for the bathtub.

In addition to making sure the supply line, valve and spout are correctly sized to fill the bathtub in a reasonable amount of time, be sure the spout and valves can be properly connected on the fixture rim or on the bathtub deck.

Most deck-mounted fittings will require connection from underneath the finished deck. This means you must also plan access for future servicing. Some manufacturers now provide “quick connect” systems which allow you to attach the deck-mounted spout more easily than in the past.

Make sure the overall deck ledge depth is less than the overall dimension of the spout outlet. Alternatively, the spout might actually be part of the bathtub.

The bathtub may also serve as a combination shower. In this installation, the fittings include the bathtub filler/spout, a diverter valve that allows the water to be directed down to the bathtub spout or up to the showerhead and the showerhead itself.

These three elements are typically installed on a common wall in a straight line. However, installations can be more elaborate with the addition of a hand shower.