Gregg G
Member
So, I have counter-tops that are almost 2" thick, including the sink lip. I installed a Delta Lewiston
single handle faucet (about 2-1/2 years ago when we were building) that worked fine for a while.
The "single stalk" is about 3-1/2" long and provided adequate installation support. The faucet itself
started getting difficult to move, and would drip if you didn't push it exactly in the right position
(with more force than when it was new). Evidently there have been a lot of complaints about this
particular issue - but it had a good price point and looked nice. Anyway, the wife wanted something
easier to use, so I got a 3-hole Moen that got good reviews, and since it has the more conventional
2 faucet design, I'm hopeful it won't get "gritty" like the 1 handle ball.
Anyway, all the mfg's seem to want to save a nickel anywhere they can, so of course the 1/2 pipe
connections are just about as short as they can be. In my case, "short as they can be" is TOO short.
With room for connecting the water line, and about 3/4" for the mounting nuts, I figure I need the
faucet pipe connections to be about 3" long. The Moen is only about 2". So, I need to extend the
shank. I saw there is an item "faucet shank extender" that looks like it should be what I need. Is
this what you guys use when you have thick counter? It looks to be a "way overpriced" 1/2 coupler
with a nipple on one side. I think these are 1/2-14 straight (so cheap NPT parts won't work).
On another note, when I got the Delta out I took it apart (because I'm an engineer and I NEED to
know the design flaw/wear item). I greased up the ball and cleaned it out a bit. Lo and behold,
works 1,000% better - almost like new. I'm wondering if this "lifetime warranty" faucet is worth
saving, or if it will get worse over time. 2-1/2 years seems like a really short time to need
cleaning/maintenance - and it's not the easiest thing to take apart.
Thanks for your input!
single handle faucet (about 2-1/2 years ago when we were building) that worked fine for a while.
The "single stalk" is about 3-1/2" long and provided adequate installation support. The faucet itself
started getting difficult to move, and would drip if you didn't push it exactly in the right position
(with more force than when it was new). Evidently there have been a lot of complaints about this
particular issue - but it had a good price point and looked nice. Anyway, the wife wanted something
easier to use, so I got a 3-hole Moen that got good reviews, and since it has the more conventional
2 faucet design, I'm hopeful it won't get "gritty" like the 1 handle ball.
Anyway, all the mfg's seem to want to save a nickel anywhere they can, so of course the 1/2 pipe
connections are just about as short as they can be. In my case, "short as they can be" is TOO short.
With room for connecting the water line, and about 3/4" for the mounting nuts, I figure I need the
faucet pipe connections to be about 3" long. The Moen is only about 2". So, I need to extend the
shank. I saw there is an item "faucet shank extender" that looks like it should be what I need. Is
this what you guys use when you have thick counter? It looks to be a "way overpriced" 1/2 coupler
with a nipple on one side. I think these are 1/2-14 straight (so cheap NPT parts won't work).
On another note, when I got the Delta out I took it apart (because I'm an engineer and I NEED to
know the design flaw/wear item). I greased up the ball and cleaned it out a bit. Lo and behold,
works 1,000% better - almost like new. I'm wondering if this "lifetime warranty" faucet is worth
saving, or if it will get worse over time. 2-1/2 years seems like a really short time to need
cleaning/maintenance - and it's not the easiest thing to take apart.
Thanks for your input!