Okay, so I'm finally tackling that annoying drip in my kitchen faucet and turns out I gotta swap out the cartridge. Did some quick googling and now I'm stuck deciding between ceramic and brass cartridges. Ceramic seems smoother and longer-lasting, but brass is cheaper and easier to find locally. Anyone have experience with either type? Curious if ceramic's really worth the extra bucks or if brass does the job just fine...
Ceramic cartridges are definitely worth the extra cash in my experience. Brass ones do the job fine initially, but they tend to wear out quicker, especially if your water's hard or gritty. I've swapped out plenty of brass cartridges that started dripping again after just a year or two. Ceramic, on the other hand, feels smoother and holds up way longer—I've seen some last 5+ years without issues. If you don't wanna be back under the sink anytime soon, ceramic's the way to go...
Ceramic's solid, no doubt, but I've seen brass cartridges last longer than you'd think—depends a lot on water quality and usage. Ever tried adding a filter or softener to see if that helps lifespan?
I've wondered about adding a softener myself, but honestly, the upfront cost always makes me hesitate. My neighbor swears by his filter setup though—claims it extended the life of his brass cartridges by years. Makes sense, since our water here is pretty hard. Still, ceramic seems less hassle overall...but maybe I'm just being lazy, haha. Anyone actually noticed a big difference after installing a softener or filter?
Good points about water hardness—definitely a factor worth considering.
- Ceramic cartridges generally hold up better long-term, especially in hard water conditions. Less corrosion and smoother operation overall.
- Brass is cheaper upfront but can require more frequent replacements or maintenance due to mineral buildup.
- Installing a softener/filter does noticeably extend brass cartridge life; seen it firsthand in several properties.
- If budget allows, ceramic is usually worth the extra cost for reduced hassle, but brass with proper filtration can still perform well enough.
