Pros and cons of pot fillers - need opinions/advice, please

14 years ago

I posted a few days ago wondering how difficult it would be to install a pot filler in my existing kitchen. I talked to a plumber last night who looked at it and said it would not be a big deal. I also got the impression he thought I was kind of silly to want to put a faucet over a range. I have to admit, sometimes I agree. But they look so cool! And I could see that I would use it, althought maybe not enough to justify the expense.

Here's my short list of pros and cons - please add and help me! Tell me why you love yours - or alternatively, why you decided against it.

PROS

Looks great

Would make it easier to fill large pots at the stove

Now or never (well, not until until next major renovation) since I'm tiling the backsplash

CONS

What about the water sitting in the pipes in between uses - no drain to let it run for a few seconds - does it get yucky?

Still have to haul the pots back to the sink to dump them

Water over electricity/gas seems like a dumb idea

Your thoughts are appreciated!

Featured Answer

ccoombs1

14 years ago

Here's a link you might like to read. I thinking especially in a case like yours where it's well water and copper pipes, a pot filler is not a safe thing to do. You are making the right decision. I like they way they look too, but they are not practical for me either.

Here is a link that might be useful: EPA

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Comments (8)

ccoombs1
14 years ago
Do you have well water? Do you have copper pipes? To answer the question about water sitting in the pipes getting yucky, the answer is yes...the water will get yucky. Well water has no chemicals in it to keep it free of bacteria. If you ever open up a seldom used plumbing line in a house on well water, you may see a pinkish slime growing. It's bacteria. Also, if you have copper pipes, you may have lead solder holding them together. Soft water leaches the lead out of those pipes and into the water lines. The EPA suggests letting the water run before using it for drinking or cooking. I am on well water so I quickly decided against a pot filler.
latimore
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, we do have a well, old farmhouse, copper pipes, the whole bit- my hesitation is for exactly the reasons you described.

Thanks - that is the information I needed. Sounds like well water means the pot filler is not such a great idea. You saved me a bunch of money, thanks!
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erikanh
14 years ago
We have well water also. I'm not sure if this would be an option for you, but we put in a small chef sink to accompany our potfiller. We had to do a deckmount potfiller since it's on an exterior wall. I use it a lot.
ccoombs1
14 years ago
That's a great idea! I love the deck mounted pot filler too...it does not detract from that gorgeous back splash. WOW!

I ended up putting in a prep sink near my cooktop so have water close by. It works for me.
latimore
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the EPA link, ccoombs1. By the way, that backsplash is gorgeous. I wouldn't have wanted to put anything on it anyway- your solution is great.

Now I'm nervous that my much-anticipated hot water dispenser might not be a good idea, either... the link doesn't specifically address that, but it does say to only use cold water for drinking/cooking. The water would be cold when it goes into the heating appliance, which would be brand new, so I would not think that there would be any risk of lead. (?) Now I'm nervous...

We have two little boys and I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize their health. We tested everything about the water when we moved in and again 2 years ago. Lead levels at the time were fine, but we did install a UV system for bacteria. Because of the old house, I get the kids' lead levels checked every year. I certainly don't want to add another risk factor...
latimore
Original Author
14 years ago
Meant to address my backsplash complements to erikanh... beautiful!

Thank you both for your help.
ccoombs1
14 years ago
It sounds like you are doing everything you can to protect your family from lead. why don't you try an experiment. Let water sit in some infrequently used pipe in the house....like may be put a bag over a bathroom faucet for a week so no one can use it. Then draw some water off of that faucet and get it tested for lead and bacteria. See how much lead (if any) shows up during that time. I know my water is very soft and soft water is much worse about leaching lead. For me, lead really isn't a concern since all of my plumbing is CVPC and not copper, but I do worry about bacteria build-up.

Pros and cons of pot fillers - need opinions/advice, please

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Pros and cons of pot fillers - need opinions/advice, please

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