Best Faucets For A Rental?
Anyone have an opinion on the best faucets for a rental property? Supposedly plumbing problems are the number one reason tenants call in a complaint. From my experience, dripping,leaking faucets are a frequent issue. I'm trying to figure out the best replacement faucet. One plumber also told me once that the main thing that makes faucet seals go bad is the water. Has anyone tried adding a filter to see if the faucets last longer. I am always striving to eliminate as many tenant complaints as possible. It causes everyone less stress and saves me time and money.
Hey,
I have never (ever) had a call about a leaking faucet, so I don't think you really need to worry about it.
The only advice I can give is buy good solid faucets (not the ones with the plastic casing), so they can stand up to tenants hitting them with a bat (or whatever tenants do to things).
Yep, along with Bruce I would say that new faucets at least in the middle price range should be very trouble free.
A lot of leaky faucets are old ones from 20 or more years ago. With the cartridge technology leaky faucents are not really an issue.
But you are smart to think ahead like you are doing.
I'd highly recomend Moen (may be spelled slightly differently). They're mid-priced, available at home depot, and last forever.
Thanks for the info. I had a small rash of leaky faucets but they are probably explained by your comments. A couple of faucets were put in about 10 years ago but they actually still used washers which had gotten compressed. One used a cartridge but the unit had been vacant for at least a year before I bought it so the seal may have simply dried out since the water was off.
Since you got all the answers on the faucet questions (could get them in your local Home Depot as well) , adding a filter (specially the reverse osmosis one) may contribute to your level of health and your level of taste and why not extend this pleasure to rental buildings and tenants? I love mine and they love me because they get to live in B - neighborhoods, like a Beverly Hills kings, in fully remodeled units. After all, I am talking about central supply line system that cost few hundred dollars and last and last and last... hospitals use them and that wending machines use them to so use your Google if you have a water problem.
Hey,
I don't know if I agree with the idea of adding additional pieces of equipment to your rental units, unless you are going to derive some tanagable benefit from it. It is just one more thing to break/get stolen and I can not imagine it would generate higher rents or shorten Vacancies periods.
Additionally, a whole house reverse osmosis system would be very expensive. It would involve a large suppy tank being added to the house.
When I bought one of my rentals, I was perplexed by a large clear plastic "beaker" hanging from the main water line. The beaker was full of murky, nasty water. Finally I summoned the courage to turn off the water and unscrew the thing. I was thrilled to discover it was a filter (albeit one not changed in the last decade). I went to HD and bought a new filter (maybe $5). When I rented it, I showed everyone this great filter. No one cared. A couple years later, the tenant moved out, I pulled the nasty water filter out and did not replace it.
Bruce - once again right on the money. I would say if your renter wants filtered water to have them add one of those that attaches to the faucet. Maybe throw it in as a house warming present to make the deal.
The last thing I want to do is be going over there and changing a water filter every six months or even worse have the tenant doing it and running the risk of them breaking the thing and having the water cut off to the entire house until I would have to fix it. [ Edited by The-Rehabinator on Date 01/14/2004 ]
OMEGA1,
Thanks for your feedback. I would not put much faith in the info you get from any one source such as someone at HD.
Unless you know the person, their experience, and the quality of their work, you really aren't sure what you're getting. I have found that no one knows it all and it has always paid off for me to get as much input as possible. Sometimes the pros don't even have the best advice.Because they are often driven by profits or tradition they aren't always open to new products or ideas.[ Edited by davmille on Date 01/14/2004 ]
I would agree with Hibby on the Moen. Except for areas that get any sand in their water supply in which case a "Delta" is much more durable. I would look on Ebay for these as they are frequently there at bargain sale prices.
Randall
Don't buy anything plastic or made in China. The price may be tempting now, but you'll regret it in the long run. After talking with several plumbers, they suggested the following -- if it's a shower or something that's walled in and difficult to get to and you plan on never wanting to service it, Kohler is the best; however it is very expensive. For most rentals, Delta or Moen will do. Most plumbers always stock Delta parts, so if something should happen Delta is good to have since parts are so readily available. I've been told to stay away from Price Pfister.
Also, for leaks, it's easy to replace the washers. If someone tries to sell you a whole faucet just because of a little leak, run. Washers cost about $.10 each and you can learn to replace them yourself. Super easy.
If you have hard water you dont want to use a faucet that uses washers. Yes they are .10cents However, the washer presses down on a "seat". hard water will eat or "chip" the seat ,then you have to replace the whole unit b/c the .10cent washer wont fix it. Moen uses a cartrige system that when they go bad Moen replaces them for FREE.(you will need a small slide hammer to get the cartridge out though) Thats right Moen has a lifetime warrenty on there product. They dont advertise it. You can find this "lifetime replacement part" on their web site
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"Most american millionairs today (about 80%) are first generation rich"
[ Edited by WheelerDealer on Date 01/18/2004 ]
Through my experience in the building construction industry I would say Delta and Moen are most durable...also you can replace the rings and parts separately and not have to buy another faucet system with these brands
Moen, take it from a plumber