<p>We are looking for a kitchen faucet that can handle iron-rich well water. During a kitchen remodel some years ago, we purchased a rather pricey Grohe faucet and have had major
problems w/ clogging. I’ve taken the thing apart so many times, I should
probably apply for a plumber’s license.</p>
<p>Will be consulting a professional but wanted to start with CC! Thanks for
any tips.</p>
<p>-Sue Narayan</p>
<p>You might look not only into your faucet but into the filter. That’s what our plumber did when our faucet kept clogging up. Perhaps now that he’s replaced the filter, it won’t clog up quite so much so often.</p>
<p>Which filter do you mean, Marite? We have something on the water supply that is changed yearly, but that doesn’t seem to prevent small iron particles in the faucet. Perhaps we need a better system.</p>
<p>In addition to filtration to remove iron particulates, consider water softening to remove precipitable iron ions that contribute to scale formation.</p>
<p>Interesting idea, which would surely help. We have been advised not to soften the kitchen water because it adds salt. Hmmm.</p>
<p>BTW, I too have an expensive Grohe faucet and it constantly leaks. DH has also taken it apart and put it back together; sometimes that solves the problem, and sometimes – not.</p>
<p>The only input I can give is that we have had fantastic customer service from Moen. Lifetime guarentee as long as you own the house. Very friendly phone service and prompt and free delivery of parts.</p>
<p>We had a KWC faucet which we replaced after 15 years with a Moen. Moens–at least that model–has a narrower tube than most (like KWCs, apparently) and clogged up twice in the last couple of years. The plumber unclogged it again just last week, but also replaced the filter in the basement. It’s too early to tell whether it will do the trick.</p>
<p>We have hard water and have had a KWC faucet for 10 years–it has worked beautifully. Friends who have had Moens, Deltas or Grohes have had mixed results. For hard water issues, a soaking in a solution that is one quarter vinegar, three quarters water, can be very effective.</p>
<p>By the way, Grohe is not the same as Hansgrohe–Hansgrohe is much better made (although often much more expensive). They also have a lifetime guarantee and phenomenal customer service.</p>
<p>Sodium ions are added to the water in exchange for the iron. calcium, magnesium, etc.</p>
<p>The amount of sodium added to the water is about equal to the amount of iron, calcium, magnesium etc. removed, i.e. generally less than a tenth of a percent (<1000ppm).</p>
<p>A water softener is a type of ion exchanger.</p>
<p>[Ace</a> - Plumbing: Water Filtration: Water Filters: Ace Valve in Head Whole House Water Filter (HF-360 ACE)](<a href=“Ace Hardware | The Helpful Place - Ace Hardware”>Ace Hardware | The Helpful Place - Ace Hardware)</p>
<p>BTW: Hard water is different from sediment problems. Take the sediment out before it gets to the water softner. Then your water softner doesn’t have to work as hard (not to mention doesn’t get clogged by the sediment).</p>
<p>We had the same problems with the Grohe’s and similiar with Moen. I however find that the Moen’s is a common and easily replaceable cartridge replacement where the Grohe takes specific seats and seals. </p>
<p>Never work on plumbing on Sunday. Plumbers rest their backs on Sunday.</p>
<p>We have a whole house filter in our basement that filters out EVERY small particle under the sun. The guy who most recently did our well work (after a lightening strike) put it in. It is fabulous…no more silt in the tubs, sinks or faucets.</p>
<p>Re: faucets…we have a Moen kitchen one and I HATE HATE HATE it. The first one lasted 10 years so we got a second after the thing just failed. This second one is breaking apart…the outer white finish is just cracking off. No…it’s not installed to tightly, it’s just chipping away. Ours is the one piece thing that pulls out as a sprayer too. I love the style…but will definitely look for an alternate manufacturer when I replace this one SOON (it’s one year old).</p>
<p>The GardenWeb kitchen forum will have entire conversations devoted to the pros/cons of individual faucets. It is the ideal site for the TKO (totally kitchen obsessed). I spent 2 years there when I did a major remodel. Like cc, some hang out for years after their own kitchen remodels to pass their knowledge to the novices.</p>
<p>We’ve had hansgrohe faucets (4) for 10 years without a problem. LOVE them, and they still turn smoothly and work beautifully. I guess YMMV!</p>
<p>We have a Moen faucet and it’s completely falling apart. The chrome is peeling off, the rubber surrounding the spray is all broken off, I already had it replaced once at the place I bought it because of another problem, and it’s one of the poorest quality faucets I’ve owned. A cheap Delta faucet was better.</p>
<p>I was told that Grohe is a higher quality faucet and was thinking of replacing the Moen with one but after reading these posts I think I have to do more research.</p>
<p>Our plumber told us to stick with Delta. The white coating is chipping off the base of our Moen faucet. I loved our KWC, installed when we renovated our kitchen about 17 years ago. But the coil around the tube broke and the plastic tube was perforated and developed a leak.</p>
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<p>Marite…that is exactly what is happening to ours. JUNK. (and it was expensive junk too).</p>