One thing I wish someone had told me before I started redoing my bathroom—always bring a magnet when you’re shopping for faucets or showerheads. If the magnet sticks, there’s a good chance it’s made of cheaper metals that might rust out faster. The solid brass ones usually don’t attract magnets and last way longer (plus, they just feel heavier and sturdier in your hand).
Also, I learned the hard way that “universal fit” doesn’t always mean what you think it does. Double-check the measurements, especially if you live in an older house where nothing is standard.
Anyone else got weird little hacks or things to watch out for when picking out plumbing stuff? I’m still trying to figure out if those touchless faucets are actually worth it or just another thing to break…
If the magnet sticks, there’s a good chance it’s made of cheaper metals that might rust out faster. The solid brass ones usually don’t attract magnets and last way longer (plus, they just fee...
Touchless faucets are a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. I’ve put in a few for clients who loved them at first, but after a year or two, the sensors can get finicky—especially if you’ve got hard water. Sometimes you end up waving your hands around like you’re trying to land a plane just to get a trickle. They look cool, but I’d rather have a good old-fashioned handle that doesn’t need batteries or a degree in engineering to fix.
About the magnet trick—yeah, it’s handy, but I’ve seen some decent stainless stuff that’ll attract a magnet too. Not all magnetic = junk, but brass is definitely king if you can swing it.
I get what you’re saying about touchless faucets—seen the same thing with clients. They’re slick at first, but when the sensor starts acting up, it’s just frustrating.
That cracked me up because it’s spot on.“Sometimes you end up waving your hands around like you’re trying to land a plane just to get a trickle.”
But on the magnet test, I’ve actually had a few “magnetic” faucets hold up fine over the years. Maybe not as bulletproof as brass, but not all of them are junk either. Sometimes it feels like you’re paying a premium for brass just for peace of mind. Anyone else think some of the newer stainless stuff is catching up?
I’ve noticed the same thing with stainless lately—some of the newer models seem to be holding up better than they used to. I still lean toward brass for anything that’s going to see a lot of use, but I get what you mean about the price tag. Sometimes it feels like you’re just paying for the “old school” reputation. Had a client who swore by her stainless pull-down faucet for years, no issues at all. Maybe it’s more about the brand and build quality than just the material these days?
Maybe it’s more about the brand and build quality than just the material these days?
Honestly, I’m still a little wary of stainless after dealing with a cheap one that started leaking after a year. Maybe I just got unlucky, but it made me nervous about skipping brass. Still, I get what you’re saying—some brands just seem to nail it, no matter the material. Guess it’s a bit of a gamble either way.