Here are some plumbing secrets from the pros

By On Apr 8, 2021

HOUSTON – As long as there is running water, we usually don’t think much about our bathroom and kitchen fittings. But the next time you need to replace yours, you need to think about where to buy them.

“A lot of people don’t realize that there is a lot of difference between what you get in a big store and what you get in a plumbing store,” said James York, owner of Southern Plumbing.

In particular, York says the faucets sold at Home Depot and Lowes are not the same as the faucets sold in plumbing warehouses.

York bought a Delta faucet from Home Depot and a nearly identical Delta faucet from a plumbing store.

The store versions almost always come with plastic parts, including the drain and stand assembly, that can easily tear.

Plumbing stores have more stable metal drains.

“When you have a metal drain, you can tighten it almost as tight as you want and you know it won’t leak and that you are good,” York explained.

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The utility store’s faucets feel even more stable because they’re heavier. You pay more for the higher quality faucets. The Home Depot Delta faucet was $ 40 and the plumbing store’s Delta faucet was $ 70.

York says this is one case where you get what you pay for. You can expect the more expensive faucet to last longer. York says the same is true for water heaters sold in large stores versus plumbing stores. The chain store’s water heaters have plastic drains. If you need a toilet or toilet tank, York says there is no difference no matter where you buy it.

Plumbing experts say big chains are telling manufacturers that they only want to pay a certain amount for faucets and water heaters to make them more affordable for the masses. Manufacturers cut prices by reducing the internal components of the devices (e.g. plastic instead of metal).