Mostly we focus on the shape or color/paint of the faucet but we have no idea what is inside the body of faucet. From our experience, the frequently happened problem in faucet is leaking. And valve is the important part related to leaking problem. To identify the type of valve is an essential step to figure out the problem. There are four most common types of valves used in the home.

-Compression

-Ball

-Cartridge

-Disc

-Compression

Compression faucets are the oldest of the four types. You tighten and untighten these handles manually by rotating them to let water flow out of the faucet. When you use this kind of faucet, it seems that your hand is a screwdriver. Although the faucet with compression valve is less expensive one, it has high risk of leaking and high cost of maintenance. That is the reason why it was replaced.

-Ball

Ball faucet is the first washer-less faucet and the most commonly type in our life. If the handle of your faucet could be turned from up to down, left to right at any direction, which is called ball faucet. The handle controls temperature, flow rate, pressure of water by rotating the ball inside faucet. But due to its numbers of components, it has tendency to leak as well.

- Cartridge

Unlike other types of faucets, cartridge faucet can have either one or two handles. Cartridge faucets contain a hollow metal cartridge inside the body of the faucet.  Someone might think that it has the same function as compression faucet, but they are different. You could turn on/off a cartridge faucet in a smooth motion rather than screw it. When you turn one the faucet, you push the cartridge forward. In its forward position, the cartridge no longer covers the water lines, so water flows through the faucet.

- Disc

The disc faucet will be the most innovative type in modern life. The larger body of the faucet contains two ceramic discs: an upper disc and one lower disc. The upper disc rotates with the handle, while the lower disc stays locked in place. When they are pressed together, the faucet is in turn-off status. When they are separated, the faucet is in turn-on status. This kind of faucet does not have much free motion but is enough to use no matter in controlling water flow or temperature. However, the faucet with disc valve will be more expensive than other types but more durable.

Keep these in mind when you want to repair or replace the faucet. Hope it will be helpful for you.

Mostly we focus on the shape or color/paint of the faucet but we have no idea what is inside the body of faucet. From our experience, the frequently happened problem in faucet is leaking. And valve is the important part related to leaking problem. To identify the type of valve is an essential step to figure out the problem. There are four most common types of valves used in the home.

-Compression

-Ball

-Cartridge

-Disc

-Compression

Compression faucets are the oldest of the four types. You tighten and untighten these handles manually by rotating them to let water flow out of the faucet. When you use this kind of faucet, it seems that your hand is a screwdriver. Although the faucet with compression valve is less expensive one, it has high risk of leaking and high cost of maintenance. That is the reason why it was replaced.

-Ball

Ball faucet is the first washer-less faucet and the most commonly type in our life. If the handle of your faucet could be turned from up to down, left to right at any direction, which is called ball faucet. The handle controls temperature, flow rate, pressure of water by rotating the ball inside faucet. But due to its numbers of components, it has tendency to leak as well.

- Cartridge

Unlike other types of faucets, cartridge faucet can have either one or two handles. Cartridge faucets contain a hollow metal cartridge inside the body of the faucet.  Someone might think that it has the same function as compression faucet, but they are different. You could turn on/off a cartridge faucet in a smooth motion rather than screw it. When you turn one the faucet, you push the cartridge forward. In its forward position, the cartridge no longer covers the water lines, so water flows through the faucet.

- Disc

The disc faucet will be the most innovative type in modern life. The larger body of the faucet contains two ceramic discs: an upper disc and one lower disc. The upper disc rotates with the handle, while the lower disc stays locked in place. When they are pressed together, the faucet is in turn-off status. When they are separated, the faucet is in turn-on status. This kind of faucet does not have much free motion but is enough to use no matter in controlling water flow or temperature. However, the faucet with disc valve will be more expensive than other types but more durable.

Keep these in mind when you want to repair or replace the faucet. Hope it will be helpful for you.