Discussions

Plumbing Supply vs. Home Depot (delta fixtures)
From This Old House: Aside from style and features, what separates good lav, tub or shower faucets from the not-so-good is the material they're made of. Start by checking out the body, which encompasses the spout and controls. Solid-brass bodies last longest and require the least care, especially with hard water, which corrodes lesser metals. At $150 or so to start, these faucets also cost the most. If you aren't sure whether a fitting is solid brass, pick it up. It should feel heavier than other units. Often, the box will read "all-brass body" versus "ZMACK" for brass- or chrome-plated fittings. Faucets with die-cast zinc-alloy bodies cost less (typically starting at about $70) and deliver good durability. Zinc is the metal beneath most brass- and chrome-plated fittings. Because zinc corrodes when it contacts water, these faucets must be replaced when the plating wears off. Stay away from low-end faucets with plastic bodies. Though their $50 entry price might be appealing, plastic simply doesn't hold up. Finish is another crucial choice that determines not only how a faucet looks but also how easy it is to maintain. An electroplated chrome finish on a brass or zinc faucet looks good and lasts. If you opt for the warmth of natural brass, you'll avoid frequent cleanings with one of the proprietary lifetime finishes that block out oxidation. Examples of these finishes include Delta Brilliance, Moen LifeShine and Jado Diamond. Pewter, nickel and satin finishes are also easy to maintain. Their muted tones hide water spots, scratches and fingerprints. They also match door and cabinet handles more easily than brass. Chrome and combination chrome-and-brass finishes are popular for baths but require frequent cleaning to maintain their shine. With a spectrum of colors available, going with painted or enamel finishes is the easiest way to individualize a faucet and coordinate it with the rest of the bath. But because most of these finishes aren't bonded to the metal like plating, they chip and scratch relatively easily. Save them for less-used powder rooms and guest baths. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HomeImprovement
9
4
January 4, 2019
Please help choose bathroom faucet for a Home Depot vanity - Bogleheads.org
I am trying to sell my apartment in NYC, so refreshing the bathroom which has a very old vanity & faucet. I bought this 24" vanity at Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decora ... /324252515 Trying to figure out what faucet to buy for it. Narrowed down my selection to these following 3 faucets: https://www.amazon.com/Moen-WS84550SRN- ... 076V5493X/ https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta... More on bogleheads.org
🌐 bogleheads.org
May 26, 2024
I called Delta they said the faucets they sell at big box stores and plumbing stores are identical but why do seemingly all plumbers say they are not?
The guy at Delta has to tell you that and it is partly true. The external of the faucets are pretty much exactly alike. The main difference is the internal parts. Don't misunderstand, the internal parts are actually interchangeable for the most part. The main difference is for instance on a Delta 400 single handle kitchen faucet I buy from a box store will have a plastic or nylon ball where the one I purchase from Ihrie or Wilkinson will have a stainless or brass ball. Other faucets will have plastic vs ceramic cartridges. What I would recommend if you don't believe your local plumber is to go to a supplier and actually pick up a Delta faucet and feel it. Then go to the box store and do the same. I think you will feel the difference in the weight. Here is the real reason I recommend buying your faucet from me and I buy it from the supply house; if I buy it and install it I give you a no questions asked warranty for 2 years. If it drips or leaks or any other issue the supplier gives me a new one and I install it and you are happy. On the other hand, if you supply the faucet from a box store I can't do that. It just takes too much time on the phone and in the store for me to warranty it. I warranty the labor only in that case so if it leaks I charge you again because it cost just as much for me to install a faucet that leaks or drips as it does one that doesn't. I've even had customers want me to install a faucet they removed from an old house 5, 10 or 15 years ago and " It worked fine then." I always try my best to talk them out of that because the sales, o rings etc are too old and cracked and I've never had one not to leak. Good luck. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/askaplumber
15
13
July 29, 2023
So I read here recently that the faucets Home Depot and other big box stores sell are a lesser quality, and brands such as Delta and Moen make a cheaper product specifically for these stores. Is this true? If so, where do you suggest to buy?
This is absolutely true, even for water heaters. The plumbing supply houses can give sticker shock on their higher end stuff, so don't expect them to compare to Home Depot prices.. Usually this high end stuff is solid brass and overall better quality. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Plumbing
9
4
September 14, 2021
People also ask

What is the water flow rate range for Delta Centerset Bathroom Faucets at the Home Depot?
The Home Depot is a proud partner of EPA's WaterSense program and since 2006 has helped conserve 2.7 trillion gallons of water through the promotion of water efficient products. We have Delta Centerset Bathroom Faucets with flow rate ranging from less than 1.59 to 2.49. Check out the top-selling faucet Portwood 4 in. Centerset 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in SpotShield Brushed Nickel by Delta or browse all faucets with Water Conservation Eco Option here.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › bath › bathroom faucets › bathroom sink faucets › centerset bathroom faucets
Delta - Centerset Bathroom Faucets - The Home Depot
What is the number of faucet holes required to install Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets?
Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets at the Home Depot are compatible with 3 and 2-hole sinks. For more information, check out our project guide, How to Replace Cartridge Sink Faucets.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › bath › bathroom faucets › bathroom sink faucets › widespread bathroom faucets
Delta - Widespread Bathroom Faucets - The Home Depot
What are the shipping options for Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets?
Some Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets can be shipped to you at home, while others can be picked up in store.
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homedepot.com
homedepot.com › bath › bathroom faucets › bathroom sink faucets › widespread bathroom faucets
Delta - Widespread Bathroom Faucets - The Home Depot
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › b › Delta › N-5yc1vZg2
Delta - The Home Depot
Delta Bathroom Accessories · Delta Standard Kitchen Faucets · Delta Shower & Bathtub Trim Kits · Download Our App · How doers get more done™ · Need Help? Visit our Customer Service Center · Customer Service Center · Check Order Status · Pay Your Credit Card ·
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Delta Faucet
deltafaucet.com › bathroom › sink-faucets › widespread
Widespread Bathroom Faucets | Delta Faucet
Explore options for widespread bathroom faucets, in styles ranging from Traditional to Contemporary and finishes including chrome, oil rubbed bronze and more.
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Delta Faucet
deltafaucet.com
Delta Faucet | Bathroom & Kitchen Faucets, Showers, Toilets, Parts, Accessories and More
The Delta Faucet brand delivers well-made, stylish faucets, shower heads and other kitchen and bathroom accessories. Browse now to customize your kitchen or bathroom.
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › bath › bathroom faucets
Bathroom Faucets - The Home Depot
Shop Bathroom Faucets and more at The Home Depot. We offer free delivery, in-store and curbside pick-up for most items.
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › plumbing supply vs. home depot (delta fixtures)
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Plumbing Supply vs. Home Depot (delta fixtures)
January 4, 2019 -

Doing a big home remodel that will add two bathrooms. General sent me to the showroom for a plumbing supply company, ultimately settled on wanting to pick between two delta faucets that would match our style. I can't really pick between the two, so I was just googling them to get a sense of maybe one or the other was better reviewed or something to help pick, but noticed that the prices I was being quoted were way higher than Amazon or Home Depot prices. I asked the general about it, but got the spiel about how Home Depot gets a deal on crappier versions so they sell it cheaper. This sounds like one of those things that baby boomers tell you, but has no support, particularly given that they have the exact same model number.

For example, a faucet we are looking at is the Lahara 3538-SSMPU-DST (Home depot, lowes, amazon, and faucet direct are all selling something with that same model number for $201, but the plumbing supply is charging $279). I've scoured the internet postings and the spec sheet I was sent, to try and figure out if there is something that identifies it as a different model, but I got nothing.

The general seemed to mention something about the internal valves just being nicer or whatever, but again, even on something like that -- this "universal valve" (1725r10000unbx) on the order sheet is $37 from the supply company and $30-34 online.

Again, nothing is a TON (that $78 on the faucet is the biggest difference), but for two bathrooms it ends up being about $700 in difference. Again, the size of the project we are doing, that's trivial, but maybe I feel like I'm being taken for a ride. I guess just tossing it out to the internet to ask if there really is a difference is not the best, but at least you guys don't theoretically have a vested interest in what I buy one way or the other.

EDIT: Even going to delta's site and searching for the model number, and then going to "where to buy" for either of those, it gives me the whole list of wholesalers and home depot, etc.

Top answer
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From This Old House: Aside from style and features, what separates good lav, tub or shower faucets from the not-so-good is the material they're made of. Start by checking out the body, which encompasses the spout and controls. Solid-brass bodies last longest and require the least care, especially with hard water, which corrodes lesser metals. At $150 or so to start, these faucets also cost the most. If you aren't sure whether a fitting is solid brass, pick it up. It should feel heavier than other units. Often, the box will read "all-brass body" versus "ZMACK" for brass- or chrome-plated fittings. Faucets with die-cast zinc-alloy bodies cost less (typically starting at about $70) and deliver good durability. Zinc is the metal beneath most brass- and chrome-plated fittings. Because zinc corrodes when it contacts water, these faucets must be replaced when the plating wears off. Stay away from low-end faucets with plastic bodies. Though their $50 entry price might be appealing, plastic simply doesn't hold up. Finish is another crucial choice that determines not only how a faucet looks but also how easy it is to maintain. An electroplated chrome finish on a brass or zinc faucet looks good and lasts. If you opt for the warmth of natural brass, you'll avoid frequent cleanings with one of the proprietary lifetime finishes that block out oxidation. Examples of these finishes include Delta Brilliance, Moen LifeShine and Jado Diamond. Pewter, nickel and satin finishes are also easy to maintain. Their muted tones hide water spots, scratches and fingerprints. They also match door and cabinet handles more easily than brass. Chrome and combination chrome-and-brass finishes are popular for baths but require frequent cleaning to maintain their shine. With a spectrum of colors available, going with painted or enamel finishes is the easiest way to individualize a faucet and coordinate it with the rest of the bath. But because most of these finishes aren't bonded to the metal like plating, they chip and scratch relatively easily. Save them for less-used powder rooms and guest baths.
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Not a plumber but I can't imagine things are too different from the Electrician/lighting world where we send our customers to a showroom as well and what the motivation is. We've had a relationship with our lighting supplier (not to be confused with our electrical supplier where we get standard, panels, wires, boxes, etc.) for 20+ years. We know the owner, the owner's family, and pretty much most of the people in the warehouse, sales, accounts receivable, down to the sassy lady who cleans the bathrooms. This means that if we have any issues with the products whether it's something that doesn't look right when we get it, something fails a month later, or even more than a year later, we can pick up the phone and call the owner directly and explain the situation and he can get on the phone and call the regional sales rep, and in within hours have a solution ready for the customer. For example, we bought a certain LED MR-16 light bulb from a good brand and after a year and a half, we noticed they were cracking and failing...We must have bought around 50 of them and not only did they replace them with another brand for free, they even offered to pay for the labor if anymore went out. The other point of the showroom is that the customers can walk around and see how a certain fixture looks like in real life settings and they can judge how something looks, ask questions, take pictures, see how it looks under morning and afternoon light, etc. Again, not a plumber but there have been many times a customer has ordered a chandelier or pendant from amazon or a cheap place online, scheduled us to come install it and when we get there, if we're lucky that all the parts are there, they see that it just doesn't look right and so they have to pay for our time to put it back down, ship it, etc. Also, our supplier carries a lot of high end models and brands that the HD doesn't carry. It's like buying shoes from Target vs. Macy's. So, TLDR; the value added by the local place is often more than the few bucks you might save by going online or buying some parts yourself and leaving some for them, etc.
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › Delta-Pierce-8-in-Widespread-2-Handle-Bathroom-Faucet-in-SpotShield-Brushed-Nickel-35899LF-SP › 312734946
Delta Pierce 8 in. Widespread 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in SpotShield Brushed Nickel 35899LF-SP - The Home Depot
Give depth and brightness to your bathroom decor by selecting this Delta Pierce 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in SpotShield Brushed Nickel. Easy to handle.
Published   April 13, 2023
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 419479 › delta-faucets-difference-between-home-depot-and-plumbing-supply-warehouse
Delta faucets - difference between Home Depot and plumbing supply warehouse
March 31, 2013 - Another way to tell, at least with Kohler, if the faucet was made specifically for the big box stores is if it has a Kohler seal that needs to be torn to get the box open, the big box stores don't have this. Another good rule of thumb is don't spend less on a faucet than it costs for a plumber to install it.
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Delta Faucet
deltafaucet.com › bathroom
Bathroom Faucets, Showers, Toilets and Accessories | Delta Faucet
From lavatory faucets to bathtub drains, toilets and shower heads to soap dispensers and other accessories, Delta has every fixture for the bathroom.
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Quora
quora.com › My-plumber-told-me-that-Lowes-and-Home-Depot-purchase-subpar-quality-fixtures-from-the-brand-names-like-Kohler-and-Moen-Is-that-true
My plumber told me that Lowes and Home Depot purchase subpar-quality fixtures from the brand names like Kohler and Moen. Is that true? - Quora
Answer (1 of 18): Established brands are very jealous of their hard-earned reputations. To put out a product that does not function properly or last for the duration of time that the consumer would expect would be brand suicide. If you purchase a Kohler toilet at Home Depot and it fails after 6 m...
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › Delta-Foundations-8-in-Widespread-2-Handle-Bathroom-Faucet-in-Chrome-B3511LF-PPU-ECO › 206503638
Delta Foundations 8 in. Widespread 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in Chrome B3511LF-PPU-ECO - The Home Depot
Delta Foundations 8 in. Widespread 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in Chrome B3511LF-PPU-ECO
For an updated look or for new installation, the Foundations 8 in. Widespread 2-Handle Bathroom Faucet in Chrome offers sleek style in a brilliant chrome finish. The faucet features a deck-plate mounting design and is easily installed in standard 3-hole sinks. A 2-handle lever design makes it easy to operate, while the low-arc spout leaves plenty of room for washing hands. This environmentally friendly design is also WaterSense certified to reduce water waste, making it an efficient and responsible choice for your home.
(4.4)
Price   $99.00
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Bogleheads.org
bogleheads.org › board index › community › personal consumer issues
Please help choose bathroom faucet for a Home Depot vanity - Bogleheads.org
May 26, 2024 - I am trying to sell my apartment in NYC, so refreshing the bathroom which has a very old vanity & faucet. I bought this 24" vanity at Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decora ... /324252515 Trying to figure out what faucet to buy for it. Narrowed down my selection to these following 3 faucets: https://www.amazon.com/Moen-WS84550SRN- ... 076V5493X/ https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Casar ...
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askaplumber › i called delta they said the faucets they sell at big box stores and plumbing stores are identical but why do seemingly all plumbers say they are not?
r/askaplumber on Reddit: I called Delta they said the faucets they sell at big box stores and plumbing stores are identical but why do seemingly all plumbers say they are not?
July 29, 2023 -

I asked do their faucets at big box stores have more plastic parts vs plumbing stores and was told no they are identical, I asked if I examined them internally and everything would they be, the answer was yes, I even spoke with a manager. But why is it every plumber I've ever heard of recommends the plumbing store because they have more metal parts? 🤔

Top answer
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The guy at Delta has to tell you that and it is partly true. The external of the faucets are pretty much exactly alike. The main difference is the internal parts. Don't misunderstand, the internal parts are actually interchangeable for the most part. The main difference is for instance on a Delta 400 single handle kitchen faucet I buy from a box store will have a plastic or nylon ball where the one I purchase from Ihrie or Wilkinson will have a stainless or brass ball. Other faucets will have plastic vs ceramic cartridges. What I would recommend if you don't believe your local plumber is to go to a supplier and actually pick up a Delta faucet and feel it. Then go to the box store and do the same. I think you will feel the difference in the weight. Here is the real reason I recommend buying your faucet from me and I buy it from the supply house; if I buy it and install it I give you a no questions asked warranty for 2 years. If it drips or leaks or any other issue the supplier gives me a new one and I install it and you are happy. On the other hand, if you supply the faucet from a box store I can't do that. It just takes too much time on the phone and in the store for me to warranty it. I warranty the labor only in that case so if it leaks I charge you again because it cost just as much for me to install a faucet that leaks or drips as it does one that doesn't. I've even had customers want me to install a faucet they removed from an old house 5, 10 or 15 years ago and " It worked fine then." I always try my best to talk them out of that because the sales, o rings etc are too old and cracked and I've never had one not to leak. Good luck.
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Some are the same, and some are “Retail” only models that are imported and use different parts. The more the faucet is, the more likely it will be mostly the same. Retail will have plastic pop up’s Wholesaler’s will have metal. Wholesalers will stand behind what they sell, retail just grab another and exchange it. That’s all the help you will get. Always get a DST faucet if you can, best quality and cartridge in there.
🌐
Homedepot.ca
homedepot.ca › delta bath & kitchen
Delta Bath & Kitchen - Homedepot.ca
February 28, 2019 - Appliances Bath BBQs & Outdoor ... your needs and pair beautiful design with user-friendly features like Touch2O® technology that allows you to turn your faucet on and off with your elbow, wrist or hand....