Faucets

My favorite brand of faucet is Moen. If a Moen faucet fails for any reason ever, the parts to repair it are free. How's that for a guarantee? Most houses will need faucet replacement. This is a job for a plumber. There are dedicated tools which are needed. Plumbers have them. Let them make a buck.

If you are changing a sink, always change the faucet at the same time. The labor cost will be the same. But the result will be much more pleasing to a potential buyer of the flip.

Avoid high priced faucets. Gold trimmed faucets are great for million dollar houses but an ordinary flip will do just fine with chrome. Avoid plastic faucets, too. These do not feel good to a potential buyer. Although the price will seem attractive, like 20% as much as a metal faucet, avoid the temptation of buying cheap on this item.

Technical details about faucets from FEMA SOURCE

Background

Tremendous amounts of water and energy are wasted using non-water efficient faucets and showerheads. Federal guidelines mandate that all lavatory and kitchen faucets and aerators manufactured after January 1, 1994, must use no more than 2.2 gpm, showerheads must use no more than 2.5 gpm. If your facility still uses older faucets and showerheads, there is a significant opportunity to save both water and energy costs. For more information on this and other FEMP Water Efficiency Best Management Practices, please see the resources section.

Operation and Maintenance Options

	Establish user-friendly method to report leaks and fix them immediately. Encourage cleaning or custodial crews to report problems.
	Test system pressure to make sure it is between 20 and 80 psi. If the pressure is to low, then low consuming devices won't work properly, if it is too high they will consume more than their rated amount of water.
	Install expansion tanks, pressure reducing valves and reduce water heater settings, where appropriate, to prevent temperature and pressure relief valves from discharging water.
	Correctly adjust and maintain automatic sensors to ensure proper operation.
	Encourage users to take shorter showers.
	Post energy/water awareness information to encourage conservation from users.

Retrofit/Replacement Options

	Install showerheads that achieve the 2.5 gpm and aerator or laminar flow devices that achieve the 2.2 gpm requirement.
	Install temporary shut-off valves in faucets. These valves cut off the water flow during intermittent activities like scrubbing or dishwashing. The water can be reactivated at the previous temperature without the need to remix the hot and cold water.
	Install automatic shut-off valves. These can be operated by infrared or ultrasonic sensors, which detect the presence of someone's hands and will shut off water when the hands are removed. However, these devices need to be set properly to operate properly.

Every house can not be flipped by every person for a profit every time.

Profit

Prepared 2006-2008 David Ullian Larson
dularson@bellsouth.net
Other websites which may be of interest:
http://www.electricianeducation.com
http://www.electricianmath.com
http://www.technicianeducation.com
http://www.visiteuropeonline.com
http://www.swedenroots.com
http://www.oldpostcardsforsale.com
http://www.greenfieldvillageonline.com (soon)