Your Buying Guide on Antique Faucets

You never know how essential an antique faucet is until you install one in the bath and marvel at its enduring style. Antique faucets add a touch of old world glamor in any living space. But sometimes, finding the right one can be difficult because there are so many things you have to consider first! Don’t let your reservations discourage you from getting a beautiful, vintage faucet. In today’s post, we are listing down all the important factors you need to consider before buying an antique faucet.

Asking the Right Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions during your search. As you choose from various vintage faucet designs, you’ll need to know how the piece will work on your existing plumbing. Ask your dealer if the fixture is refurbished or thoroughly cleaned. If you see signs of rust or cracks, let your dealer know about it.

Considering the Plumbing

Most times, plumbing from old homes differ from modern plumbing and this is an important factor to consider before getting a faucet. There’s no use to change the entire plumbing just to install one faucet! Start by learning about the size of the pipes installed in your home. Once you are choosing for the right fixture, let your dealer know about the size of your home’s pipes. To get the exact size, get a measuring tape to check the dimension of the unit.

Refurbished or Cleaned?

Is the antique faucet refurbished or restored? If the answer is yes, your dealer should provide all the washers within the unit, including the screws. As you check the unit, ask the dealer if the faucet’s threads have been checked. If the answer is no, ask if they can test the unit for you. Usually, the dealer will have no problems performing a demo for customers. If testing is not allowed (which, is unlikely), ask if the faucet comes with a warranty so you can have it replaced if the thread is worn out.

Inspecting the Vintage Faucet

Older fixtures tend to accumulate lime or calcium deposits on the inside. This will be an issue if the unit has not been cleaned thoroughly. Usually, an old faucet will be disassembled and scrubbed to clean the mineral deposits. Then, it’s put back together and polished. Ask the dealer if the faucet has been cleaned well and make sure the unit does not have blockages inside.

Apart from mineral deposits, watch out for hairline cracks and rusts. Rust could spread throughout the unit while hairline cracks will worsen over time. These damages could render the faucet unusable. Don’t be afraid to poke, prod or analyze certain areas of the unit for these imperfections.

Styles and Designs

Once you are satisfied with the faucet’s condition, it’s time to figure out what design suits your bathroom, kitchen or utility room. Start by thinking about where you want to install the unit and figure out if the design suits the general theme of the room. This will give you a clearer idea of what designs to get.

Price

The price should not be the sole deciding factor when getting a vintage faucet. Make sure you get your money’s worth. You cannot discount the possibility that cheap antique faucets might be fake. However, a high price does not automatically guarantee authenticity.