Touchless taps and other faucet surprises

I get what you mean about not trusting adapters in wet spots. I’ve seen a few “waterproof” claims on packaging, but honestly, I’m not convinced.

Those adapters really aren’t meant for wet areas, no matter what the packaging says.

Curious if anyone’s actually had issues with those battery-powered touchless faucets? I keep hearing they’re safer since there’s no direct plug-in, but I’ve also seen batteries corrode under sinks from humidity. Seems like a trade-off - less risk of shock, but maybe more maintenance? Wondering if it’s really any safer or just swapping one headache for another.

Wondering if it’s really any safer or just swapping one headache for another.

That’s the thing, right? I’ve put in a few of those touchless faucets over the years (mostly in rentals), and I haven’t had any real electrical issues, but the battery corrosion is a real pain. Sometimes it’s just a matter of swapping them out every six months, but in a couple units, I’ve seen the battery compartment rust out completely from condensation under the sink. Then you’re stuck replacing the whole thing.

I do like not having to worry about tenants messing with plug adapters near water, but is it really less hassle? Not convinced. Has anyone tried those hardwired versions with the little transformer box up high, away from the wet zone? I’m wondering if that solves some of the moisture problem, or if it just moves the risk somewhere else. Maybe it all comes down to how damp your under-sink space gets... anyone had luck keeping things dry down there? Or is it always a losing battle?

I’ve tried putting those little moisture absorbers under the sink, but it’s kind of a losing game if your pipes sweat every summer. The hardwired ones sound good in theory, but I’d worry about running new wiring just to avoid batteries. Feels like a trade-off either way.

Honestly, I hear you on the wiring vs. batteries debate. Running new electrical under a sink isn’t always as simple as it sounds - sometimes you open up the cabinet and realize you’re in for a whole afternoon of crawling around with a headlamp. But then again, swapping out batteries every few months gets old fast, especially if you forget and end up with a dead tap mid-dishwashing. Have you checked if your pipes are insulated? Sometimes just wrapping them can cut down on the sweating and help those moisture absorbers actually do their job. Just a thought...

Yeah, I’ve been down that rabbit hole - thought I’d just pop in a new tap and suddenly I’m lying on my back, flashlight in my mouth, trying not to swear too loud. Wiring’s a pain, but those batteries are sneaky. They always die when your hands are covered in soap. I did try pipe insulation once, but honestly, it was more about keeping the pipes from freezing than moisture. Might give it another go for the sweating though... never thought about it helping the absorbers.