Grohe Bridgeford Kitchen Faucet

If you are building a new home, renovating your kitchen, or just replacing the faucet, you'll need to think about what is the right faucet for you. Everyone's situation is a little different, but most people have a budget, so here I have a breakdown of the best 5 kitchen taps as arranged by price range.

1. Best Less than $100 Kitchen Faucet.

Mainline 131-WSCP: It's very hard to find anything at this price, especially if you want any extra options like multi spray options or a pullout spray. The best one with a side sprayer is the Mainline 131-WSCP. This is a cheap faucet and does not have the quality that I would recommend for a standard house. You can also get this faucet without a side spray (131-CP). Where this would be recommended for use is in profit oriented projects such as income property. Many land and property owners want to put the cheapest faucets into the rented units to keep costs down, and consequently increase profit.

Another notable mention would be the Moen Chateau kitchen tap (product #7445) which is better quality than the Mainline, for close to $100 but does not come with a side spray.  It will give less problems, and last a little longer than the Mainline, but is still a cheap faucet. This was a highly popular faucet through the 1990's and still sells well today.

2. Best $100-$150 Kitchen Faucet.

American Standard Reliant Kitchen Faucet

American Standard Reliant+ (product #4205104).  This tap is about the same quality as the last ones, but the reason it's more expensive is because the sprayer is much better. Instead of coming out the side, it has a spout that pulls out and has a multi-spray function. These types of sprayers typically have a better quality hose than the side sprayers. They also have a cleaner look and function smoother.  This faucet is  suitable as an entry-level faucet for your own home.

3. Best $150-$250 Kitchen Faucet.

Kohler Forte Kitchen Faucet

Kohler Forte Pullout (product #K-10433): Kohler offers many great products at a great price, and I chose this faucet for the $150-$250 for that reason. Like the American Standard faucet it has multi-spray pullout spray, but the difference is not only in quality but in style.  The Forte faucet is built to last, and looks great. Here at Jaytech Plumbing we have put in a lot of these problem free. Also look at the Kohler Simplice: same quality and function, but different look.

Kohler also offers faucets that have great quality without a pullout sprayers. I would definitely recommend these also in the $100-$150 range.

4. Best $250-$400 Kitchen Faucet.

Grohe Concetto Kitchen Faucet

Grohe Concetto (Product #32 665 000): Grohe make plumbing products of exceptional quality as well as design. For Grohe, $400 for a kitchen faucet is considered to be a cheaper faucet, and what they have available for that while maintaining their reputation of quality is the Grohe Concetto. This is a single hole, single handle tap with a pullout spray, and a very clean, slick, smooth look. This  is a very heavy duty, well functioning faucet and worth every dime.

5. Best $400+ Kitchen Faucet.

At this price people are looking for a little more than just quality and function. Style and design play a very large role and therefore these are very much subject to personal opinion. Here are a few examples of same good taps/faucets and their list prices.

Grohe Bridgeford: List $1,115

Kohler Karbon : List $1,250

Kohler Torq: List $811

Moen Waterhill: List $756

Thank-you for reading; please leave a comment.

Undermount Kitchen Sink

-The advantages that an undermount sink has over a drop in sink are that it has a very nice and clean look with no edges protruding above the counter. It is also very easy to keep clean for this reason. When wiping off the counter you can just swipe any water or crumbs right over the edge and into the undermount sink. The disadvantages of this sink on the other hand are that you can not install it onto any counter but typically solid surfaces such as granite. They are also more difficult to install and a little more expensive.
-The advantages of a drop in sink therefore are that they are usually cheaper and easier to install, but do not have the same appeal and are more difficult to keep clean.
For these reasons undermount sinks are become ever more popular.

Drop-in Sink

If you plan on installing an undermount sink into a granite counter top it’s not advised that you cut the hole yourself. You should talk to the counter top company you are dealing with and tell them the make and model of the undermount sink and faucet that you are using. They will have the proper tools to make a smooth and accurate cut in the right place. Some companies will even mount the sink as well if you give it to them. If you are installing the sink by yourself then here are the proper steps to take...

1. Get the granite company to cut the sink hole based on the specifications from the model of sink that you have provided for them. Have them install the counter.
2. Using a cleaning alcohol and a cloth gently rub and clean both the sink and counter surfaces where they will be joining together.

3. Evenly distribute some high strength epoxy or silicone caulking around the underside of the counter where the sink will be mounted.

4. Put a board on top the counter across the sink opening (Place a cloth under to prevent scratching). Put a small board also under the drain opening and as you put the sink in place tie the boards towards each other with a piece of wire “clamping” the sink to the counter.

5. To pinch the silicone a little extra, shim the board on the counter on each side to make a snug fit.

6. Wipe off excess silicone that has pinched out the side of the sink.

7. Allow the silicone to dry for at least 24 hours before you take the boards off and connect the plumbing.

As always, if you do not feel comfortable doing the work properly, hire a professional. You will save yourself time, money and head aches by getting it done right.

My name is Tom Melnychuk. I've been in the plumbing wholesale industry in South Western Ontario for 20 years, the last 14 years with Marks Supply. I am a guest author today, writing on why Dual Flush Toilets will become a thing of the past.

Dual Flush Toilet

Dual flush closets (toilets) have been a hot topic over the past several years.  We still continually get asked for dual flush toilets almost every week. For those of you not completely clear, a dual flush closet offers two buttons. Generally a 6 litre button for 350 grams of solids and a 4 .8 litre button for liquids. With most consumers concerned with water conservation and saving costs on their utility bill this is a logical approach. The down side of dual flush closets is that several dual flush closets have a low water level in the bowl. The bowl is often dirty and stained. Some consumers have even complained of odors due to splashing etc. One of the common statements in Australia is they don't sell very many plungers in North America but they sell alot of toilet brushes.

Kohler Wellworth Toilet

The main plumbing fixture line I represent is Kohler. Kohler invests large amounts of  funds and resources annually in R&D (research & development) perfecting and improving their products. Kohler water closets (as seen in the video) all flush 1000 grams of solids (3x more) and their technology rinses the bowl clean everytime.  It does all this with the same amount of water that the dual flush toilet uses for its liquids flush. Kohler has so perfected their flushing technology that over the next  few years, Dual Flush toilets will become a thing of the past just as the 13 litre flush closet from many years ago. Kohler toilets flush 1000 grams of solids leaving the bowls spotless with 4.8 litres of water. They offer a wide variety of styles and prices for all budgets and tastes. So if you are considering a Dual Flush closet consider a 4.8 litre Kohler flushing closet. You'll have a great flushing ,clean closet  that works while doing your part for water conservation and your savings.  You can view Kohler's quality plumbing products at the Kohler website. There are numerous video links demonstrating their flushing technology.

Thank you,    T. Melnychuk - Marks Supply.

You have a plumbing project on the go, and someone asks you "Where's the Vent?", or tells you, "that fixture is S-trapped". What does this mean? What is a vent and why do you need one?

Everyone knows that every toilet, bathtub, sink, shower, etc. will have a drain to carry the water away to sewage treatment, or your septic. But not everyone knows that they ALL also need to be vented.

Whether you're putting in a tub, toilet, sink, or floor drain, they all need a plumbing vent on the drain to make it work properly. If there is no vent, a number of problems may occur:

• The fixture without a vent may drain slowly
• The drain will likely make gurgling noises
• The water in the trap could siphon out, resulting in a potent sewer smell
• The smell emitted from an unsealed trap (Methane Gas) poses a health risk

Installing a vent will solve all of these issues and the building code also requires it.

There are many wrong ways to put in a plumbing vent and the building code is very specific to how it should be installed. If plumbing is not your forte, you should definitely call a plumber in your local area.  (Guelph Plumber)

The size of the vent is very important. Many sinks only require a 1 1/4" pipe but that size is increasingly uncommon and most plumbers run 1 1/2" abs pipe for a vent on every fixture since the price for 1 1/2" is actually cheaper. If you are dry venting every fixture, then you can nearly always use a 1 1/2" pipe. However, if you put an individual vent on every fixture, you are doing more work than you really need to do. Often times you can combine vents between two fixtures using a wet vent. This makes venting more complicated. As an example, a drain from a bathroom sink can also serve the dual purpose of acting as a vent for a toilet. But in doing so needs to increase in size from 1 1/2" to 2". And the connection for the sink vent must be a continuous vent.

The location of the vent on the drain also matters. For example on a 1 1/2" sink drain the vent can not be located more than 5ft away from the trap and the pipe between the trap and the vent can not have bends in excess of 135 degrees.  The rules for siphonic fixtures such as a toilet differ. You can have the vent 10ft away and have 225 degrees before the vent. But these only apply if the fall of the pipe doesn't exceed the diameter of the drain pipe.

There are other rules that also apply to venting. You may connect the vents together from different fixtures, as long as they connect together above the flood level rim of the lowest fixture. The vents must also continually slope upwards (may not have low spots or dips) and eventually must terminate out the roof of the building through a flashing with a 3" terminal.

Sometimes there are situations where it is seemingly impossible or at least impractical to get a vent upwards to another usable vent location or to the roof and yet a vent is still required. There is a product meant specifically for this situation called an Air Admittance Valve (or cheater vent for slang). This is a mechanical vent and meant only to be used when a natural vent will not work. It is a replacement for a vent and also has rules of use, specified in the building code.

Although home owners are legally permitted to work on the plumbing in their own homes, often times it is in their best interest to call a professional if they are not confident that they are doing it correctly. Venting and plumbing your house incorrectly can be quite costly and damaging. For a plumber in Guelph contact 519-780-0088 or visit www.jaytechplumbing.com/contact

1. Sewage Pit

First, you’ll need to break up the concrete and place the pit and pump in a good location and then break concrete for the drains from the bathroom fixtures to drain to the pit. Once they are in place you patch the concrete again and run a vent and drain from the tank to appropriate connections elsewhere in the house.

2. Macerating Toilet

You can buy toilets with a tank at the back that collects sewage from the toilet and sink. It then pumps it out to a sewage line somewhere else in your house.
The first option, however, is the more proper way of doing it and is also more reliable. If you have the option of putting in a sewage tank, then you definitely should. In both scenarios a proper vent is required and this should be taken into consideration as you’re planning your project.

So now you need it fixed, but are wondering how and what the next steps are. There are a couple different options depending on your particular situation:

1. The best option is to replace the flange with a new one.  To do this you need to cut the pipe below and put in new pipe and fittings accordingly. However, this can be difficult if you have a finished ceiling below that you would rather leave untouched, or if it's on concrete. In this case option 2 would be better.
2. A repair ring can be purchased (shown in the picture below) which gets siliconed and screwed over top of the old flange. This method is quick and easier, but special care should be taken to make sure water doesn't leak between the new ring and the old flange.
3. If you do not feel comfortable with any of these repairs, contact a professional as having a water leak can be very damaging.  (519-780-0088 for a Guelph Plumber).

Jaytech Plumbing offers complete plumbing service for the Guelph and surrounding areas.

Here you can view our company information, customer testimonials,  specials, and blog posts.

If you wish to reach us directly our number is  519-780-0088. Your call will be answered by a licensed plumber and your questions will be answered respectfully and knowledgeably.  We also have a reputation around Guelph for quality plumbing at a competitive rate.