Q I'm looking to change my old kitchen faucet for something that could make my life a lot easier. My current faucet spout is not long enough to reach the center of the two bowls on my kitchen sink. This results in a constant backache for me whenever I do the dishes.
Basically, it looks like I need a longer faucet. Is there anything available that can help me? I've been looking around at hardware stores in my area, but they do not carry anything like that and I'm getting very frustrated. I can take one punishment with washing my dishes by hand, but doing it while constantly leaning forward is a second punishment that I don't need.
A Solving something as simple as getting a new kitchen faucet with a longer spout to help with your backache is well worth the money. However, looking for the new faucet should not drive you up a wall, as well.
The good news is that, yes, kitchen faucets with extra-long spouts are available. You have two choices: First, you can simply call a licensed master plumber in your area and have him or her locate and install a longer faucet that will fit your needs. Most plumbers know where to get special-order faucets easily, and after checking out your job, can return later with the new faucet, ready for installation.
Even though that is the easier solution, you may be able to save a bit of money by doing the legwork yourself.
This leads us to option No. 2: Locate a plumbing-supply house in your area to check things out for yourself, then choose a faucet that may better suit your budget and needs. Plumbing-supply houses are usually different from places like hardware stores. Where a hardware store may be an all-around outlet for many types of building supplies, plumbing-supply houses concentrate mainly on the plumbing industry itself. This is where most professional plumbers order and pick up all their materials. So, going to a business that caters to plumbers can be a great start for you.
If you go to a professional plumbing-supply house or home center that carries the big brand names, you'll probably find several styles of kitchen faucets with extra-long spouts.
Please note, though, that the faucet you end up choosing may not be in stock, and you may have to pick it up later. But once you make your choice and bring the faucet home, you can ask your plumber to install it. This may save you an extra service call from the plumber, since the faucet is already at the job site.
