HOME IMPROVEMENT Faucet shopping can be aided by using these helpful tips IN YOUR foray into faucets, you'll find that there's a bewildering uray of choices and prices. Don’t be swayed by looks alone, Three other elements — construction, valve mechanism, and features — ensure that the faucet lives up to your expecta- tions, When considering a faucet’s durability, check the basic materi- al that’s hidden beneath the sur- face finish. Brass is preferable, and dic-cast brass indicates higher quality than extruded brass. Less expensive faucets often combine brass bodies with plasti: ‘handles or make use of extruded rather than die-cast brass. ; Fortunately, a leaky faucet may be a thing of the past. The‘ old plumbing . nemesis, the rubber washer, has been largely replaced by washerless plastic or ceramic cartridges. Washerless valves and cartridges are more trouble-free and are designed for quick repair. The simplest washerless style is the ball-type faucet with. a single-lever handie. it uses a hollow metal or plastic ball inside the faucet body. ‘Openings in the ball line up with hot water and cold water lines, and the channel to the spout. . Moving the ball aligns the openings and controls the flow and the temperature of the water. Metal balls are more expensive (they start at about $100) and more durable than plastic balls. A ‘second type of valve is the cartridge that’s fitted with a pair of plastic or ceramic discs. The surfaces of the two discs fit together so tightly that water can’t leak. The faucet handles control the flow and temperature of water by sliding the discs into alignment. Plastic discs may chip when they. encounter silt or pipe rust, but the ceramic discs are so strong and durable that most manufac- turers provide lifetime guarantees to the original purchaser. Faucets with ceramic cartridges start at about $150. If repairs are required, the entire cartridge is easily replaced. ff you haven't shopped for a faucet lately, you may be sur- prised at the options. Features add function and cost to a faucet. Faucet design canges from old-fashioned two-handled models to sleek, single-lever styles, Easy-touch handles, such as wing handles, make tap conirol as simple as a push with your forearm. Anti-scald devices stop water flow at a pre-set temperature. Other devices can pre-set the water temperature to any of five settings. * Pull-out wands switch from stream to spray with one button. They turn a faucet into a kitchen appliance. \ What are the most expensive faucets? Those that offer special finishes, such as polished brass or shiny epoxy coatings. and stytish looks. But den’t be fooled by a flashy faucet. A basic design with a hand-rubbed finish can be just as costly as a colorful Eurostyle faucet. If you want a colorful faucet, nylon-reinforced, powder-coated epoxy finishes best withstand bumps and scratches. Even then, strong colors may fade in direct sunlight or after contact with household. cleaners and bleach. Over the long haul, chrome will outlast colorful finishes. Polished brass finishes cost 50% to 80% more than a chrome finish. The brass is plated on, or the brass faucet body is. buffed and coated with acrylic, lacquer or epoxy powder. Special styling of handles and spouts often adds to the cost of a faucet. These faucets are not made in _ Chiro with $ opractic INGWALL Superbly Busurious Chiropractic’ “Prestige” A sumptuous nuatiress and bovspring dealgned with ast exquisite ticking and muiti-oeedte quilting. Enjoy the comfort and support of lucury extra firm construction. Priced fram Wonder} fuliy Luxurious Chiropractic’ éAyauice Exactly what the onme says +a be: veut, tuultisnicedle quilted ruattress that's resilient enough for comfort, Yet nade with a soft construction asan aki in maintaining correct sleep support, COLONY HOME FURNIS +1075 Roosevelt Crescent | OPEN DAILY: Evi. 9-9; Sun. 12-4 HINGS North Vancouver (2 Siocks behind the Avalon Hotel) R Twin large enough quantities to provide a price break in the retail store. Limited production features in- clude antique-style faucets, gold- plated faucets, and unusual color combinations on the handles and the spouts. Take care with your faucet purchase. Read brochures on the faucets you are interested in; remember that some feaiures won't be readily apparent by sim- ply fooking at the faucet. “Then use these strategies to compare: ® Check the weight of the faucet. A good-quality faucet is heavy because it’s made of brass. A lightweight faucet has some plastic parts, @ Turn the handles. Only a gentle quarter turn should be needed to turn the faucet an or off. @ Run your hands over the finish. It should be smooth, hard, and free of any imperfections. ® Make sure the faucet fits the sink. The spout should extend over the bowl of the sink and the placement of the faucet handles should match the holes drilled in the deck of the sink. Reprinted with permission of Better Homes and Gardens’ Country Kitchen Ideas Magazine, Distributed by Los Angeles Times Syndicate. TeOQUITLAM STORE 600-329 North Road (Near London Drugs) CELEBRATE T' London Village Mall IESE SPECIALS IN ALL 5 LOCATIONS _ IFIRST QUALITY PERCALE | DUVET COVERS ia § Choose from solid and prints in 100% thread count. % : arn | COMPO! H Fashion comforters at a fraction of the & price, Choose from our selection of com*ortars in floral, prints & solids. 100% fleacy cottor: swarm & cozy. solid & print, machine washable COMPARE. NOW Twin 6507 ay? #Double -80:00 =3a>*" yQueen 106-00 Bg? 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