I hear you on the boutique brands—ran into that headache once with a fancy imported faucet. Looked great, but when the cartridge failed after a year, nobody stocked the part. Ended up swapping it for a Delta. Not the most exciting, but at least I know I can get parts quick and it’s easy to service. Low-flow’s come a long way too; some of the newer ones don’t even feel like you’re sacrificing pressure. Just double-check compatibility with your existing setup before pulling the trigger.
I’ve had similar luck with Delta—nothing fancy, but you can’t beat the reliability when you’ve got tenants calling about drips at 9pm. I do like the look of some of those boutique brands, though. Ever tried Moen or Kohler for rentals? I’ve found their parts are usually easy to track down, too, and sometimes the designs are a bit more interesting than Delta’s lineup. Curious if anyone’s had issues with their low-flow models clogging up over time...
Curious if anyone’s had issues with their low-flow models clogging up over time...
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with some of the newer Moen low-flow faucets—especially in places with hard water. They’re decent for saving water, but the aerators can gunk up faster than you’d expect. Not a huge deal to clean out, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re not able to check on them often.
Kohler’s been solid for me in terms of parts and repairs, but I still lean Delta for rentals just because tenants seem less likely to call about weird leaks or loose handles. The boutique stuff looks awesome, but I get nervous about finding replacement parts in a pinch. Safety-wise, I try to stick with brands where you know you can swap out cartridges or seals fast—tenants don’t always mention a slow drip until it’s a real mess.
If you do go with low-flow, maybe just give the aerators a quick check during routine maintenance. Saves headaches later.
If you do go with low-flow, maybe just give the aerators a quick check during routine maintenance. Saves headaches later.
That’s spot on—hard water really does a number on those tiny screens. I’d add: when you’re cleaning aerators, soak them in vinegar for 20-30 minutes before scrubbing. Makes a big difference, especially if you’ve got stubborn buildup. Also, I’ve found that some of the “universal” replacement parts don’t always fit right, so I try to keep a couple brand-specific spares on hand. Learned that the hard way during a late-night leak call... not fun.
Couldn’t agree more about the vinegar trick—works wonders, especially when the buildup gets gnarly. I’ve definitely been burned by those “universal” parts too. Sometimes they’re just not worth the hassle, even if they seem convenient at first. Honestly, keeping a stash of the right brand-specific bits has saved me from more than one headache. It’s one of those things you only learn after a few late-night emergencies... but hey, that’s property management for you.
