The four types of sink faucet

These are the oldest types of faucets, and they use washers to create a watertight seal. Compression faucets have separate, adjustable handles for hot and cold water. To let the water flow, you simply loosen the handles. The more you loosen, the more the water flows. To shut off the water, simply tighten the handles. Each compression faucet handle connects to a stem assembly that is a screw that has a washer at the end.
When you tighten the faucet, the stem assembly is moved to the valve seat, from which the water flows to the faucet. When the stem assembly is lowered, it forces the washer to compress, which creates a seal that prevents water from flowing. When you open the faucet, the washer is forced away from the valve seat, allowing water to flow.

Ball faucets are similar to compression faucets, but instead of using washers, they use a rotating ball with a hole to control the water flow. This ball is called the lever ball assembly and is housed inside the faucet's body. Another difference is that ball faucets have a single handle that controls both hot and cold water.
The ball has slots and chambers that are connected to the water supply line. When you turn the handle, the slots line up with different passages, allowing water to flow or blocking it. Ball faucet handles can swivel up and down and from side to side, so they are very easy to use. You will mostly find them in kitchen sinks.

To get water, you have to turn the handle of a cartridge faucet. You move single-handle cartridge faucets up and down to turn them on and off, while you move them from side to side to control the temperature, just like disc faucets. A simple and easy gesture is often enough to turn them on or off.
Cartridge faucets are unique. They can have one or two handles, and they have no washers or balls. Instead, they have a hollow metal cartridge inside the faucet that controls the water flow. Inside the faucet's body is a cartridge that controls the flow of hot and cold water. When you move the handle to open the faucet, the cartridge moves forward, opening the water lines.

Disc faucets are the newest type of faucet on the market. Unlike compression faucets, they do not have washers. Disc faucets are wider than compression and ball faucets and are also more durable. They have a handle that moves up and down and from side to side like ball faucet handles. Although they do not have as much freedom of movement as ball faucets. You can identify them by their single-lever design, which is very sleek and stylish.
Disc faucets have two ceramic discs inside the faucet body. The lower disc is locked in place while the upper disc moves with the handle. When you turn the handle, the upper disc moves away from the lower disc, creating a space between them. This space is what allows water to flow through the faucet. When you turn the handle the other way, the discs close and the water is blocked.
These are the four main types of sink faucets. When you know what type of faucet you have, you can easily find replacement parts and have the faucet repaired by our plumber Castelnau le Lez in an emergency if necessary. If you are not sure what type of faucet you have, take a look at the illustrations above. You can also bring a sample of your faucet to a hardware store or plumbing supply store and they will be able to help you.