Professional style pulldown faucets

12 years ago

First post to GW in the 2+ years since we finished out kitchen. But now, need some help.

We have a huge island with a big orca sink. We wanted a large, "professional style" faucet with separate spring-supported pulldown handle. We did finally go with the Blanco Master Gourmet faucet. We were never enthralled: our biggest complaint has always been low flow rates, and the MG faucet was poor in this regard. There was no obvious way to defeat the flow restrictor that I could figure out. We just lived with it. Now, however, the faucet is malfunctioning. If you squeeze the handle on the pulldown spout, only part of the stream is diverted, with the rest running out the main faucet. Even when not using the pulldown, the flow rate through the main faucet is worse than ever.

We could try to get it fixed, but the flow rate was so poor that DW has incentivized me in all kinds of creative ways to get a new one. So, the question is, can anyone recommend a "professional style" pulldown faucet, like the MG, but with a higher flow rate. I had once looked at the KWC Superba. Back then, it listed the flow through main faucet as the usual 2 gpm, but the pulldown was listed as 6 gpm. Now the latest listing does not mention a higher flow rate for the pulldown. I worry that the Feds have somehow forced them to restrict the pulldown as well.

Any options? Should we look for a true restaurant grade professional faucet, or will there be installation or usability problems in our residential setting?

So, bottom line--we need something better than the Blanco! Thanks for any help.

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Comments (4)

User
12 years ago
I suspect that you have had debris issues in your lines from the beginning. 2GPM is more than sufficient to do anything in the kitchen that needs doing. The fact that you're currently having even more issues that point to debris confirm this in my mind.

Shut off your home's main, unhook the flexible supply lines and take them to a neighbor and flush them out from front to back, and then back to front. Station someone at the main shut off and get a big dishpan ad then open up the fixture shut off valves. The reason I say to station someone at the main is that often the shut off valves themselves are the problem and are "sticky" and won't shut off---or open entirely. After you've flushed those, reconnect everything and pull off all of the aerators on your faucet. Then turn the water back on and flush the faucet itself.

If you still have issues, then you may need to disassemble the faucet itself and look for the obstruction. Or, you may have water quality issues that are creating deposits in your lines and fixtures. Have you read your municipalities water quality test results for hardness and mineral content? If you need to have your water treated, then get a pro involved.
davidro1
12 years ago
1/ KWC Systema model 10.501.134.000 is top of the line. It has three handles, which you can see on 3rd party sites but not easily see on kwcamerica.com

2/ do not get a cheap replacement like a Vigo. It will have the same problem. The thingie that is malfunctioning is the "diverter". Diverters often malfunction.

3/ similar function can be had with a cobra spout
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1115142616151.html
which states it comes with an optional 2.2 GpM aerator.
http://www.elkayusa.com/cps/rde/xbcr/elkay/LK2500.pdf
Another snake spout from Korea was posted by aliris19 earlier this year.

4/ also fun to look at are
Elevate http://www.pfisterfaucets.com/elevate/index.aspx
+ Giagni pivot sk102 ( GIA-87138 )

5/ see Neoperl on the web. Look at their aerators and flow limiters. Ask Blanco if they use neoperl products in this faucet.

6/ call Blanco about this whole problem. Ask them to send you a diverter replacement.
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The faucet in Cll2008's link is a pullout faucet, not a pull down. Would you be OK with a pullout? Pulldowns usually have to be taller b/c they pull down and they need to be high enough to allow room for the faucet head to be pulled down. Pullouts, OTOH, are generally lower b/c they do not need the extra space for the faucet head's movement. Note that they will also generally have a longer reach than a pulldown when pulled out completely. If you really want a pulldown faucet, I'm sure there are some out there shorter than the Vinnata--but I don't know how much shorter. If you're OK with a pullout, your options will be greatly expanded. We are putting the Kohler Vinnata on our main sink. Our prep sink, though, will have the pullout Kohler Fairfax. To me, the Fairfax has an "old world" or "traditional" feel--which is what I want. HTH! Here is a link that might be useful: Fairfax® single-control kitchen sink faucet (K-12177)
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I certainly do appreciate the differences (ask my wife about Italian vs Chinese shoes!!). Still, I'm very interested in specific features and differences that would justify the price differential. For example, questions from a faucet newbie: Where are KWC faucets built? What about Franke, Blanco, Grohe? I had naively assumed they were European built, but are they all subbed out to China? Until I started researching on GW, I had always assumed these were the high end options, but obviously not. What specific construction features differ? Is it brass instead of plastic? The finish? Superior design? Do they perform better? For example, I note that the KWC Systema I mentioned lists the faucet outlet as the usual regulated 2.2 gpm, but that the pulldown prerinse provides 6 gpm. I'd love that for heavy duty cleaning. Is that exclusive to KWC?
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davidro1
12 years ago
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0917105014427.html
the other cobra faucet.
clinresga
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow, great feedback and fast too!

@Green: good advice, though I will say that my water quality appears pretty good. I base that mainly on the three drip irrigation systems I run. I clean the filters twice a year, but there is typically virtually no debris despite running hundreds of gallons of water through them.

@David: Great references, esp the last post you linked to regarding "semi-pro/commercial faucets." I was immediately reminded of the problems with a true commercial prerinse unit, which I had been told of three years ago. Also fun to see the video of the KWC, which was the faucet I had almost gotten originally. Looks great, probably would have been worth the $1200 back then. Some of the other faucets like the Elevate look fun, but we are trying to stick with the metal coil/prerinse look as the island and sink are so huge that the scale demands a really big faucet.

The good news: Blanco customer service responded within 30 minutes of sending a message through their website, and they are sending out a new diverter and sprayer. That will at least allow us to buy some time. Though after seeing the video I suspect DW will still push for the KWC. Her offer was pretty good though...

Professional style pulldown faucets

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Professional style pulldown faucets

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