Sometimes, we are in situations where we are gazing at the kitchen faucet and wondering about its origins and brand. In such scenarios, the question, “How to identify kitchen faucet brands?” may ponder your mind.
Unraveling the identity of a kitchen faucet brand can be a rewarding experience. Most of the time, checking the package, the UPC or CUPC marks, logos, brand names, and serial numbers can inform you about the kitchen faucet brand. You can also count the splines, use a broach gauge, or distinguish the features to identify the brand of your faucet.
To learn more about these methods, keep reading since I will discuss every possible way to identify a kitchen faucet brand. Let’s embark on this intriguing journey of discovery together.
How to Identify Kitchen Faucet Brands: The 7 Ultimate Ways
After comprehensive research and analysis, I have concluded the 7 best ways to identify kitchen faucet brands. Each of these methods will help identify the faucet brand in one way or another. Without further ado, let’s start with the first method…
01. Inspect The Package
If you still have the original packaging, take a look at it. It will provide a clear idea about the faucet brand. There should be labels, logos, or any printed information on the packaging that can indicate the manufacturer or brand name. The packaging might also include a model number or additional details to identify your faucet brand.
If you don’t have the package because you threw it away after installation, then no worries. You can take a look at the installation guide or user manual to identify the faucet brand, its serial number, or its model number.
02. UPC Or CUPC Mark
Over time, it is common for logos to wear off the body of the faucet. As a result, older or vintage faucets are difficult to identify. If you encounter this situation and find no logo, then there is another method you can try.
Take a closer look at the faucet and see if you can find a UPC or CUPC mark. These marks serve as certification indicators. They are associated with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). The UPC marks are connected to the uniform plumbing code. In addition, the “C” in CUPC denotes its relevance to the Canadian market. These marks can help you identify your vintage faucet easily.
03. Look For Visible Logos Or Brand Names
If you neither have the package nor the user manual, then the easiest way to identify your faucet brand is by its logo. The manufacturer’s name or logo is often engraved, etched, or printed somewhere on the faucet.
Examine the faucet closely to find any visible logo or brand name stamped on it. Check the handles, spout, base, or any other visible parts. If necessary, clean the faucet with water to reveal the logo hidden behind the dirt. Escutcheon refers to the plate that sits below the faucet. Manufacturers sometimes like to put their brand logo on it.
04. Locate The Serial Or Model Number
Many faucets have a serial number or a model number engraved or imprinted on the faucet body. For instance, popular faucet manufacturers like Moen, imprint the model number on the faucet body. With that said, Moen faucets also have serial numbers at the back of their spouts.
Check the underside of the faucet, the base, or any other hidden areas. Certain manufacturers include the serial number on either the faucet itself or on a tag attached to the cold water supply line. Typically, you can find this tag positioned beneath the sink. Once you locate the serial number, you can search for it online to find the corresponding brand or manufacturer.
05. Count The Splines
The splines on the stem of the faucet handle can provide clues about the brand. Splines are the small ridges or teeth that help connect the handle to the valve. Different manufacturers use different spline counts and patterns. For instance, Chicago faucets employ square broaches that lack teeth.
Since different companies employ different spline designs, the shape of the spline can also offer insights into the manufacturer’s identity. Various manufacturers have their own distinct broach configurations, often utilizing a specific shape or number of points. Here are the broach shapes of some popular faucet brands:
- Oval-shaped broach: Moen, Mixet
- D-shaped broach: Delta
- 4-point square broach: American standard, Speakman, Royal Brass, Sterling, Chicago, Gerber, Concinnity, Price Pfister, Zurn, Symmons
- 8-point broach: Briggs
- 12-point 0.335″ broach: Wolverine, Michigan Brass, Crane Dialeze
- 12-point 0.375″ broach: Universal Brass, Harcraft, Price Pfister, Artistic Brass, Arrowhead, Scoville
- 12-point 0.39″ broach: Universal Rundle, Sears, Elkay, Fisher, Bradley
- 12-point 0.415″ broach: Symmons
- 12-point 0.485″ broach: Symmons, Crane
- 15-point broach: Savoy, Wolverine, Santec
- 16-point 0.360″ broach: Sayco, Gerber
- 16-point 0.370″ broach: American Standard, Acme, Kohler, Burlington, Barnes, Royal Brass, Central Brass, Glauber, Concinnity, Scoville, Milwaukee, Eljer, Phylrich, Concinnity, Newport
- 16-point 0.40″ broach: Sterling
- 17-point broach: Phoenix, American Brass, Streamway, Mansfield, Midcor
- 18-point broach: Union Brass, Indiana Brass, Briggs
- 20-point 0.285″ broach: Kohler, Grohe, Eljer, Milwaukee, Concinnity, Broadway, Jado, Paul, Danfoss
- 20-point 0.415″ broach: T & S Brass, Speakman, Broadway
- 22-point 0.375″ broach: American Standard (old 3/8″)
- 22-point 0.438″ broach: American Standard (new 7/16”)
- 38-point broach: Glacier Bay, Pegasus, Import
How To Count The Splines Of Your Faucet?
Counting the splines requires a hands-on approach. Follow the steps below to count the splines of your faucet.
- First and foremost, you must have decent skills to remove the faucet handle and stem.
- After detaching them, you need to locate the broach. It should be positioned at the top of the stem and at the bottom of the handle.
- You will find the small ridges on the broach, which are referred to as splines. Take careful note of these splines as you count them.
- One technique is to use a marker pen to create a slight tick mark on each spline while counting. Then, measure the distance between the first mark and the point where you initially began.
As manufacturers incorporate varying numbers of splines on their broaches, this can be an effective way to quickly identify your faucet.
06. Broach Gauge
A broach gauge is a tool used to measure the dimensions of faucet stems and handles. The device consists of 18 cylindrical tubes. It has two distinct ends for each tube. One end is a male end that inserts into the faucet handle, while the other end is a female end that inserts into the stem. It can help you determine the specific broach pattern or shape of your faucet.
For instance, broach gauges with identification numbers 1-4 are compatible with American Standard faucets. Kohler faucets can be identified using gauges with numbers 1-7. Nevertheless, certain Milwaukee and American Standard models, as well as Eljer, Burlington, Kohler, and some other brands, correspond to gauges with numbers 1-6. If you are wondering, “How to identify my Kohler kitchen faucet?” then it can be effective.
Various faucet manufacturers provide reference charts for broach patterns. Often, you can identify the brand by comparing the broach pattern with reference charts.
07. Compare The Features With Renowned Brands
If you cannot find any visible logos, names, or numbers, you can compare the physical features and design of your faucet with those of well-known faucet brands. To identify your faucet, keep an eye out for distinguishing features.
For instance, Moen faucets typically showcase a logo of blue and red water drops. On the other hand, Delta and Peerless faucets utilize a red and blue circle to denote hot and cold water, respectively. The bulges on the stem help you identify T&S faucets. Although this method requires some research and familiarity with different brands, it allows you to make an educated guess about the manufacturer.
Bottom Line
I bet you have sufficient knowledge on how to identify kitchen faucet brands by now. So, unveiling your kitchen faucet brand is no longer a daunting task. Remember, the process may require some patience and a keen eye for detail, but the rewards are worth it.
There is no doubt that identifying your kitchen faucet brand can assist in making informed decisions about maintenance and repairs. In addition, it can provide a sense of satisfaction to understand the history and quality of your fixture. So, go forth and uncover the origins of your kitchen faucet.
