Totally get where you're coming from on the motion-sensor faucets. I've installed quite a few myself, and yeah, they can be finicky—especially the cheaper models. But honestly, they're not all created equal. I've found that higher-quality brands with adjustable sensitivity settings tend to perform way better. Had a client recently who insisted on motion sensors for accessibility reasons, and after some research, we went with a mid-to-high-end model that allowed us to tweak the sensor range and shut-off delay. Took a bit of trial and error at first, but once dialed in, it worked surprisingly well.
That said, I agree they're probably not the best choice for every home bathroom. If you're aiming purely for practicality and reliability (and don't have specific accessibility needs), single-lever faucets are definitely the safer bet. They're straightforward, easy to maintain, and rarely give you trouble down the line.
But if anyone's heart is set on motion sensors—maybe for hygiene reasons or just because they like the tech—I wouldn't completely rule them out. Just make sure you invest in something decent quality-wise and take your time setting it up properly. Also helps to keep spare batteries handy if it's battery-operated... learned that one the hard way at my own place when guests were over!
Anyway, glad your reno turned out comfortable for everyone—nothing beats a bathroom that's both functional and stress-free.
"Also helps to keep spare batteries handy if it's battery-operated... learned that one the hard way at my own place when guests were over!"
Haha, been there myself—nothing like scrambling for batteries mid-party. Quick tip: label the battery compartment with the date you last swapped them out. Saves a headache later on.
"Quick tip: label the battery compartment with the date you last swapped them out. Saves a headache later on."
That's a decent idea, but honestly, relying solely on dates can be misleading. Batteries can drain faster depending on usage or even temperature fluctuations. I'd recommend periodically testing battery-operated fixtures—especially safety-related ones like sensor faucets or automatic soap dispensers—to ensure they're functioning properly. Learned this after a sensor faucet failed unexpectedly... not fun dealing with water issues mid-event. Better safe than sorry.
I'd recommend periodically testing battery-operated fixtures—especially safety-related ones like sensor faucets or automatic soap dispensers—to ensure they're functioning properly.
Good point about battery testing. I usually jot down the date too, but you're right—usage can vary a lot. After my soap dispenser died mid-party (awkward...), I started doing quick checks monthly. Better safe than sorry indeed!
Monthly checks seem a bit overkill to me, honestly... I usually just swap batteries every 6 months when I change smoke detector ones. Haven't had a dispenser fail yet, but maybe I'm just lucky?
