High quality fixture or high quality aerator?

Question

Our bathrooms have Delta 520 bathroom fixtures (lavatory faucets) that are about 8 years old. They are in great working condition and operate smoothly but I have never been happy with the appearance or feel of the aeration; that is, the water flow itself. I purchased some replacement aerators from home depot for $3.23 a piece thinking that my original aerators may have become clogged, etc. Even after the switch, though, the aeration still isn't nice like other faucets I've seen. You know in the commercials for Moen when the water flows so perfectly in a flawless aerated cylinder of water? How do you achieve that? We have great water pressure, too. Do I need to buy a higher quality aerator OR a higher quality faucet?

Answer 1

there is not much to an aerator ------- first ck and see if the thing is clean, take it apart there are sometimes 2-3 screens in the bottom of the aerator take one out then put it back together and reinstall it and ck to see of the flow is any better. ALL aerators are basically the same design. if the flow is not perfect like you want there is usually some debris in it. If it has the white plastic piece in the end of it there are tiny little holes that sand and stuff can get into take it apart and clean I've been doing plumbing for 30+ yrs and most of the time they just need to be cleaned......... I have put in just about every brand of faucet from the low end to the high end. I can think of more things to worry about then the way the water flows out of my faucet-----------good luck P.S there is no higher quality aerator, you could buy a high end facuet and still end up with the same problem

Answer 2

The water stream is all about the aerators, not the fixtures. For the widest selection of aerators visit a plumbing supply house, tell the counter-man what you desire.

Answer 3

Delta is about the botton of the faucet line and Mohen is near or at the top. Switch to Moen

Answer 4

FOR A WHILE THERE THEY CAME WITH SELF CLEARING PUSH BUTTON AERATORS ( TURN ON PUT FINGER IN STREAM & PUSH UP) THEY NEVER CAUGHT ON, AS THEY ALLWAYS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE PARTIALLY CLOGGED, YOU WANT THAT PERFECT BUBBLE LADEN COLUMN OF WATER, RIGHT? I DONT THINK AFTER MKT DEVICES WILL WORK GOOD ON THESE, ESPECIALLY IF ON OFF THE SHELF, BRAND NEW DIDN'T. ( IF MY ASSUMPTION IS CORRECT )