Identifying your kitchen faucet brand can be tricky. Whether the faucet decided to fail and you need replacement parts, or your friend is simply dying to know what kind of faucet you have, you’ll need to know the brand.
Sometimes, the brand is evident, so finding the brand and necessary replacement parts is simple. However, this is not always the case. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to identify your kitchen faucet brand.
Check The Packaging
If you saved the box when you installed the faucet, manufacturers would clearly display the brand on the box. However, many people don’t keep the box or packaging the faucet came in. No worries, there are plenty of other methods for figuring out the brand of your faucet.
The user manual or installation guide should also have the brand, model number, or serial number, which could help you identify the brand of your faucet. Again, if you do not have this, that is okay, as there are other things you can do to determine the faucet brand.
Locate The Logo
One of the most obvious and easy (sometimes) ways to identify the kitchen faucet brand is by the logo. Each manufacturer has its own unique logo that is stamped onto some part of the faucet. Check the plate beneath the faucet, which is called the escutcheon, for the logo.
The logo may also be on the faucet’s body, the spout itself, or somewhere on the handle. If your faucet is dirty, such as coated with a layer of soap scum or dirt, scrub the whole thing thoroughly to see if the logo is lurking beneath.
Faucet models that are vintage or older may no longer have a logo, as they tend to wear off over time. If that is the case, move on to the following identification tip.
You may notice a UPC or CUPC mark on the faucet. This mark is a certification mark of the IAPMO or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The “C” in CUPC refers to the Canadian market. UPC markings refer to the uniform plumbing code.
Identify The Model Number
Several manufacturers, such as Moen, put the model number on the faucet itself. You may be able to find the number stamped or printed on the backside of the spout, on its underside, on the back of the decorative ring on the bottom of the spout, or possibly on the escutcheon.
Some manufacturers will also print the serial number on the faucet or the cold water supply line tag, which is usually located below the sink. Although the serial number will not tell you the exact model number, it can tell you the brand and usually the family of faucets the model is from.
If you still have the installation guide that came with the faucet, you can check that for the model or serial number.
Where Is The Serial Number Located On A Kitchen Faucet?
The serial number on a faucet could be in several places. Check the areas we mentioned above for the model number, as all faucets are different. Moen faucets, in particular, usually have a serial number stamped on the backside of the spout.
Look For Distinguishing Features
Examine your faucet for distinguishing features, which may include things such as specific logos, markings, and variations in the handle or faucet itself, among others. Delta and Peerless faucets have a red and blue circle that indicates hot and cold water.
Moen faucets feature a red and blue water drop logo. T&S faucets have bulges on the stem where it meets the handle. Look for classifying features such as these to identify your faucet.
Check The Splines
Another method to try to determine the brand of your faucet is to count the splines. This method requires a bit more of a hands-on approach since you will need to remove the handle and faucet stem.
Once you have removed the handle and faucet stem, locate the broach. It sits at the top of the stem that is in the bottom of the handle. The grooves in the broach, known as the splines, are what you need to pay attention to.
To count the number of splines, you can use a marker pen to make a slight tic on each of the splines as you count. Use the tics to measure from the first one until you reach the initial mark again.
Since different manufacturers utilize a varying number of splines on their broaches, this can be a great way to identify your faucet reasonably quickly. The spline shape also may indicate the maker, as some companies have varying shapes of splines.
If you have the broach out, measure the stem as well, as this can help you identify the brand as well. The measurement following the point number represents the length of the stem.
Some companies implement different shapes into their splines. For example, Chicago faucets use square broaches that do not have teeth. Each spline may vary slightly, with some in different diameters, amounts of teeth, or shape.
Manufacturers commonly use a certain number of points in their faucet broaches or specific shapes, including:
- Delta: D-shaped broach
- Moen: Oval-shaped broach
- Mixet: Oval-shaped broach
- Kohler: 16-point 0.370”, 20-point 0.285”
- American Standard: 4-point square, 16-point 0.370”, 22-point 0.375”, 22-point 0.438”
Broach Gauge
A broach gauge is a specific tool that many professional plumbers have in their toolbox. It works great for identifying faucet stems and handles. The device has 18 cylindrical tubes, each of which has two ends: a male end that inserts into the faucet handle and a female end that inserts into the stem.
A broach gauge can help with faucet identification, as a pattern identification number is associated with it. For example, American Standard faucet stems and handles may fit broach gauges with the identification numbers 1-4.
Identification numbers 1-7 fit stems and handles of some Kohler faucets, while the ID numbers 1-6 fit stems and handles for Eljer, some Milwaukee models, Kohler-Trend, Burlington, and a few American Standard models.
I don’t recognize the logo on the faucet. It is an S in a circle. What brand is that?