Commercial Faucet Buying Guide

Learn more about the differences between commercial faucets like deck and wall mount faucets, gooseneck faucets, and eco-friendly faucets.

Conserving water is a hot topic nowadays, and rightfully so. Increasing populations put a strain on the availability of clean freshwater, and as many areas of the country experience record droughts and increased fire risks, water is becoming a more valuable resource than ever before.

Restaurants are notorious water guzzlers. From rinsing dishes prior to washing in the dishwasher to dumping nearly full glasses of water down the drain when guests leave, there are several opportunities to tackle water conservation in your restaurant. Let's not even get started on bathroom faucets carelessly left on after a guest has finished using the facilities.

So what can you do to address your water consumption in the restaurant? The easiest place to start is with the hardware itself—the faucets. Commercial faucets control the speed in which water leaves the tap, reducing the amount of water wasted during each use. Plus, new technology like sensors tackle that "left the water running in the restroom" issue head on.

New regulations concerning water use means that there's no longer a choice to be eco-friendly—it's the way of the world. Lucky for you, being green helps the environment and your wallet. Many of the faucets you use in both front and back of the house now feature "low flow" or "high efficiency," which can drastically reduce the amount of water you consume during each use.

In this buying guide we'll talk about common types of faucets you need in your commercial kitchen and restroom facilities.

Types of faucets

Choosing the right type of faucet for your commercial kitchen is mostly dependent on what's in place already. Unless you're building the space literally from the ground up, you'll need to work with whatever plumbing fixtures have already been built out. Before settling on your faucet type, think about the faucet installation to make a streamlined, user-friendly experience. For example, one consideration is to make sure that the length of your spout is long enough to fit comfortably within the sink. The faucet should be movable and remain within the sink compartments the entire time. (Could you imagine the mess if water could easily pour outside of the sink and directly onto the floor?)

Learn more about different faucets below so you can find the right one for your application.

Wall Mount

Wall mount faucets are installed in the wall or sink backsplash. A deck mounted faucet, on the other hand, is installed on top of the sink. There is no benefit to one installation over the other, it all depends on the sink you choose and the way your facility's water lines are set up.

Wall mount faucets with inlets that are measured 8 inches apart on center tend to be more common in restaurants, but if you're installing a deck mount faucet, be sure to measure the distance between the center of the holes before ordering for a perfect fit.

Gooseneck

A gooseneck nozzle features a tall, rounded neck to give you additional clearance for stock pots, large pans, and other awkward items in the sink.

Double-jointed

Also called "Pot Filler Assemblies," these double-jointed faucets feature a large hose or swiveling spout for easy pivoting, making it easy to fill up large pots, woks and other large, cumbersome items. Another bonus? They can be folded away when not in use.

Pre-rinse assemblies

Pre-rinse assemblies are located near your dish machine, and enable staff to quickly rinse dirty dishes and tableware prior to washing. Rinsing dishes is crucial to maintaining your china because it avoids having foods caked on.

Glass Fillers

These types of faucets are ideal for hands-free filling. Perfect for back of the bar, you can quickly and easily fill a glass without wasting time turning a lever or knob.

Eco-Friendly Faucet Options

Being eco-friendly or not isn't a choice you have to make—it's the way of the world! Only 3% of the Earth's surface contains fresh water, and of that, only 25% of that amount is available for use. Water resources are becoming more limited for the burgeoning world population, which is why companies like T&S Brass are creating more eco-friendly plumbing products engineered for the foodservice industry.

Low flow/high efficiency spray valves and aerators

When you waste water, you're literally throwing money down the drain. That's why low flow spray valves and aerators are making it easier to save water, which helps you save money. Because the rate at which water leaves your hose is decreased, you can save upwards of 77,000 gallons per year—that's over $200 in water savings.

Electronic faucets

Electronic sensor faucets come in a variety of styles and installations to suit your space. Because water only runs when the sensor detects hands beneath the spout, you don't have to worry about someone leaving the water on. Electronic faucets could save you as much as a gallon of water per hand wash!

Metering faucets

These faucets operate with the push of a button, thereby not using the amount of energy required by electronic faucets. Metering faucets regulate both the flow of the water and the time the water is on, making it an eco-friendly alternative for your restrooms.

LEED certification

If you're interested in pursuing LEED certification for your building, look into products that meet their requirements such as water efficiency and materials and resources. Not only does being LEED certified help you attain your sustainability goals, but you can brag about it to your customers (who will think your eco-friendly practices are pretty cool).

Shop Commercial Faucets by Sink Type

Need a commercial faucet for an existing sink type in your restaurant? Check out our recommendations below for faucets best suited for both front and back of the house sink options.

Bar Sinks

Faucet Type: Swing Spout

Most bar sinks feature drainboards and a backsplash, with either deck or wall mount faucets. The standard deck or wall mount swing faucet makes it easy to direct the flow of water to any sink compartment.

Compartment Sinks

Faucet Type: Swing Spout, Pre-Rinse or Gooseneck

For basic compartment sinks (both multi-bowl and single), consider what you'll be using the sink for. If you need something to quickly clean food particles off dinnerware and cookware before placing in a dishwasher, than a pre-rinse faucet might be for you. Or, if you're utilizing a three-compartment sink for washing, rinsing and sanitizing your dinnerware, then consider a standard swing spout faucet (deck or wall mount) to easily direct water in multiple compartments. A gooseneck option might provide you with additional clearance for washing bulkier items, but it may not be long enough to reach into the other compartments as easily.

Hand Sink

Faucet Type: Gooseneck

Though you can use a standard swing spout (deck or wall mount) faucet for small hand sinks in the kitchen, Gooseneck faucets provide a higher clearance for hand washing, making it both aesthetically pleasing and easier to use. Dummy goosenecks also work for those hands-free sinks equipped with pedal or knee valves.

Restroom Sinks

Faucet Type: Sensor faucet

Most faucets will do in the restroom, where aesthetics really come into play. We love sensor faucets in the restroom because it ensures no guest accidentally leaves the water running, which would unnecessarily waste gallons of water but it could cost you a pretty penny as well.

Faucet Maintenance

The best way to extend the life of your faucet is to follow a regular cleaning schedule. Wipe down your sinks and faucets daily. Moisture and rust go hand in hand, but drying excess water from your equipment daily will help prevent tarnishing and rust happening overnight. When cleaning your faucet, be sure to never use abrasive pads or detergents. Most faucets are chrome-plated brass, and abrasive materials could scratch the plating off; plus in many cases, once the health department sees that brass appearing on your faucet, they'll want you to replace it.

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