Performance-wise, vessel sinks are quite reliable and efficient—when the installation is done right. Now, to fit them accordingly, you must plan and consider many factors. One of them being; how high should a faucet be above a vessel sink?

This is what we’ll be discussing in this article since very few people know the appropriate distance between vessel sink and faucet. As a result, they might fit a bad height that causes inconveniences like backsplashes when using the faucet.

What is the best vessel sink faucet height?

To figure out the ideal distance between the faucet and vessel ink, you must consider the factors below:

The countertop/vanity

Unlike the regular sinks, the vessel sink is positioned on top of a counter. So, the first height to account for is that of the countertop. If it’s too high, then the sink will be way up and this makes it impossible for children and people with disability to use it.

Usually, the standard height of bathroom sinks is 29-36 inches from the floor. So, your countertop’s height together with that of the vessel sink must add up to a figure that’s within that range. The recommended countertop height is between 29-30 inches.

NOTE: Ensure it is long and wide enough to accommodate both the vessel sink and faucet (if it’s a deck mount).

Read Also: How to clean shower faucet handles

The vessel sink

Having settled on a countertop height, you’re left with approximately 6-7 inches of vessel sink height to work with. You must keep this in mind when shopping for a vessel sink.

Also, it’s important to note that while a deep vessel can contain splashes, a shallow one leaves you adequate room to work with. Plus, if you install everything properly, you won’t have to worry about splashes.

The length and width of the faucet will depend on the space that’s available on the countertop.

The faucet

When it comes to the faucet, you have the option of choosing either a wall-mounted or counter-based faucet. The only challenge is that not all faucets are compatible with all vessel sinks. Therefore, your choices are limited.

However, most vessel sinks come packaged with matching faucets, hence you don’t have to stress yourself looking for the perfect one.

How high should you install a faucet from the vessel sink?

For both wall-mounted and deck-mounted faucets, the recommended distance between the faucet spout and the bottom of the vessel sink is 6 inches. Then, from the rim of the vessel sink to the faucet spout, you’ll need around 2-3 inches. This is adequate for you to wash your hands and do other things comfortably.

Deck-mounted faucets

That said, deck-mounted faucets need to be long enough to stretch past the rim of the vessel and arc enough for the spout to point directly into the drain. The best place to install this faucet is at the center of the vessel.

Remember to leave enough space between the vessel and the faucet for operating the knob(s).

Wall-mounted faucet

If the countertop space is limited, you’ll have to get the wall-mount faucet. During installation, make sure it stretches to the center of the vessel to avoid splashing. The biggest challenge with fitting this faucet is that you may have to drill the wall and set up a new drain line.

Unlike the deck-mounted faucet whose height is already set, the wall mount faucet height above the vessel sink can be adjusted accordingly.

NOTE: You can also minimize splashing by reducing the water pressure.

Lastly, if you prefer to DIY the project, be very keen on the measurements and everything else we’ve outlined above.

One mistake could mess up everything and lead to excess costs and expenses. Still, if you decide to hire a professional plumbing contractor, make sure you’re involved in every step.

Conclusion

After fitting the right vessel sink faucet height, ensure the fixtures are well maintained to keep them in top shape for a long time. Simple things like wiping the sink and faucet dry after use and cleaning regularly will help to prevent dirt and scum build up, keep bacteria away, and sustain the stylish appearance.

Read Also: The best bottom-loading water dispenser

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This makes it seem like your entire bathroom is dirty and doesn’t get a good, regular clean-up — which is unfortunate, considering how easy it is to clean bathroom faucet handles.

Why should you clean your shower faucet handles?

Before we get into how to clean your shower faucet handle, you need to understand why it’s important.

• First, cleaning makes the faucet presentable.
• Secondly, it will serve you for a long time since you won’t have to worry about destructive agents like rust (for metallic faucet handles).
• Third, the handle’s longevity helps you to save on replacement expenses, seeing as the high-quality faucet handles don’t come cheap.
• Lastly, cleaning shower faucet handles helps you to prevent microbial growth that can damage the faucet, produce a bad odor, or put your health at risk.

How you clean a faucet handle varies depending on its finish. For example, the detergent you use to clean a metal finish wouldn’t be ideal for a plastic faucet handle. You should check the handle’s user manual for the recommended cleaning products.

Read Also: The best handheld showerheads for low water pressure

That said, here is how to clean the different shower faucet handles finishes

1. How to clean a metal shower faucet

The metal faucet finishes that you’re likely to come across are brushed nickel, copper, brass, and chrome shower fixtures. They’re quite easy to clean since you don’t have to open them to deep clean.

You will need the following tools to clean a metal faucet handle:

• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Toothbrush

The steps involved are:

Using a dish soap

• For a simple clean-up, mix the dish soap with warm water and use a clean cloth to rub the mixture on the handle.
• Rinse with clean water and dry it off with a clean, dry cloth.

Using white vinegar

• When dealing with grime, corrosion, and other tough stains, you need to clean the faucet head with vinegar.
• Mix a 50:50 ratio of white vinegar and water in a bowl or spray bottle.
• Dip a clean piece of cloth in the mixture and apply it on a small area of the handle to ensure it’s not reactive.
• If it doesn’t react with the metal finish, apply the mixture on the handle and scrub to eliminate the dirt build-up.
• You can even soak the cloth in the vinegar mixture then wrap it around the faucet handle for 10-15 minutes.
• When you finish, use another clean, wet cloth to wipe the handle.
• You could let it dry on its own or use a dry cloth.

Using baking soda and a toothbrush

If you were wondering about how to clean corroded shower handles, vinegar and baking soda are your best solutions. For the latter, here are the steps to follow:

• Sprinkle baking soda on the corroded surface.
• Dip the old toothbrush in water then use it to scrub the faucet handle.
• You should open the interior and scrub the grime off.
• Rinse it off with clean water and the surface will be sparkling.

How to clean plastic faucet handles

Cleaning plastic faucet handles requires a little more effort because they tend to accumulate more grime than metal handles. So, without wasting much time, follow this procedure.

First, get the tools below:

• Screwdriver
• Dish soap
• Vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Old toothbrush
• Washcloth/sponge
• Hot water

Step 1: Remove the cap and cover

First, mix soapy water and baking soda/vinegar in a bowl and let it sit on the side. Next, use the screwdriver or any tool with a thin edge to remove the cap from the knob.

For some faucet handles, there’ll be a screw holding the knob in place. Unscrew it to free the knob then put all the parts you’ve removed in the bowl to soak. This will loosen up the dirt build-up.

Read Also: The best automatic shower cleaners

Step 2: Clean the stem and handle

You can start cleaning the stem of the faucet handle while the other parts soak. If there is little dirt, you should simply wipe it off with a washcloth dipped in soapy water. But, with excessive or complex grime build-up or corrosion, you’ll need vinegar or baking soda.

For vinegar, mix it with an equal amount of water in a spray bottle then spray the stem and scrub thoroughly with a toothbrush. If you decide to use baking soda, put a small amount on the area you want to clean, dip your toothbrush in water then start scrubbing. Use Q-tips to clean the areas a toothbrush can’t reach.

Once you finish, rinse with hot water and wipe with a dry cloth. Check the items in the bowl and start scrubbing the dirt build-up off. Rinse them with clean water and allow them to dry.

Step 3: Screw the handle back

The last step is to screw the handle back in position and reattach the cap. You can apply grease or jelly to prevent the handle from jamming on the post.

With that, you now know how to clean a clear plastic faucet handle. If you do everything right, the handle should be as clean as new.

Clean shower faucet handles complement the aesthetics of your bathroom and they’re safe to use too. So, next time you’re cleaning the bathroom, remember to remove calcium and grime build-up in the faucet handles. After all, it doesn’t take much time.

Read Also: Best tension pole shower caddies and organizers

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