There are many reasons you might to know your bathroom faucet brand. Maybe the faucet was already installed when you moved in or you forget the name even If you installed it.
Also, some of the parts may go bad and you have to buy the exact brand replacement. In that case, you have to identify your bathroom faucet brand.
Sometimes identifying the brand name is very easy, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are a few ways you can use to identify your bathroom faucet brand.
Keep reading the article, here we had mentioned quick ways to identify your bathroom faucet brand.
1. Check The Packaging Box
A faucet comes in a packaging box and on the box, several details & information are mentioned by the manufacturer.
So, if you still have the packaging box with you, then try to search for the brand name, model number, or serial number on it. Mostly every packaging box contains these types of details.
If you don’t have the packaging box then you can search for the user manual or installation guide, it also contains details of the faucet brand.
In case you don’t have any of this, then don’t worry, there are several other ways to identify the faucet brand.
2. Check For The Brand Logo
Every faucet manufacturer has a unique brand logo and they print it on the parts of the faucet.
So, by finding the brand logo you can easily identify your bathroom faucet brand. A logo can be small or large depending on the faucet you have.
That’s why you have to look all around the faucet to see if there are any words or shapes that represent a particular brand.
The most common places where it is printed are on the faucet handle, faucet spout, and faucet plates (also called escutcheon plates).
Also, make sure to look around the curves so that you don’t miss any area on the faucet.
In case you’re not able to find the logo, then it could be hidden under layers of dirt and grime.
Use a multipurpose cleaner to clean the whole faucet and wipe it with a clean cloth. Then, with the help of a flashlight start searching for the logo.
3. Look For A Model Number
If there’s no brand logo on your bathroom faucet, then with the help of the model number you can identify your faucet’s brand.
Model numbers are printed or stamped in very small sizes on the faucet, so chances are they might be covered with dirt and grime.
So clean the faucet with a multipurpose cleaner before looking for the model number.
Normally they are printed on the back of the faucet spout, faucet handle, and faucet plate (escutcheon plate). Search around these parts with the help of a flashlight to find the number.
If you find the model number, then type it into your search engine. This may take you to the faucet brand homepage.
In case, if you’re not able to find the model number, then look for a serial number. Some companies print serial numbers on the faucet or cold water supply line tag, which is normally located below the sink.
Although the serial number won’t tell you much about the model, it will help you in identifying the brand.
4. Look For Brand Specific Features
You may not find a brand logo or model number, but you can notice some brand-specific features. Some faucet brands have specific features which make them unique from others.
By observing these features you can identify your bathroom faucet brand. It can be a specific logo, marking, and variation in the handle or faucet itself.
For example, Delta faucets have blue and red color circles around the faucet handle, which indicates hot and cold water. And they have a distinctive D-shaped broach.
So, with this feature, you can assume that you have a faucet from this brand.
On the other hand, Moen faucets have red and blue color water drop logos for hot and cold water. And they have an oval-shaped broach. So, you can assume that your faucet is from the Moen brand.
So, carefully observe and find these types of specific features in your bathroom faucet to identify the brand.
5. Count The Splines And Measure The Stem
This is an effective method to identify the faucet brand by knowing the number of splines, but it takes time because you will have to remove the faucet handle to find the broach.
A broach is located at the top of the stem that fits into the bottom of the handle, and splines are the pointed ridges on the broach.
Before removing the faucet handle make sure to cover the sink with a towel or stopper so that you don’t lose any parts in the drain.
Now turn off the water supply valve so that flooding doesn’t occur in the bathroom. The shut-off valves are usually located below the sink. Turn it in a clockwise direction until you can’t turn anymore.
In case you don’t have a shut-off valve below the sink then you have to turn off the water supply for the entire house.
To do that you’ll have to find the main shut-off valve for the entire house, which is normally located near the water meter.
Then, pop off the indicator or index button with the help of a flathead screwdriver, which is located at the top of the faucet handle.
Now, you will be able to see the head of a screw. Unscrew it with the help of a screwdriver, remove the faucet handle, and keep everything aside.
If there is a decorative cap then you will find a set screw hidden behind the cap, use an Allen key to remove the set screw from the faucet handle.
Once the faucet handle is removed, you will be able to see the stem. Simply, take out the stem from the faucet and pay attention to the splines it has on top.
Now, to count the splines use a pen marker and mark any one spline.
Then, with the help of your nails count the splines until you reached the initial marked spline. This is the number of splines your broach has.
At last, check the stem identification chart to know your bathroom faucet brand.
Also, you can identify your bathroom faucet brand by measuring the size of the stem
6. Identify By Shape & Size
1. You can identify delta faucets by their “D” shaped broach. Looking at this part of your faucet is a good way to narrow down the brand possibilities. Since different companies have different broach sizes and shapes.
So if your faucet has a “D” shaped broach that means you may have a delta faucet.
Also if we talk about other brands then Moen and Mixet have oval-shaped broaches. So if your faucet has oval shaped broach then it’s likely to be Moen or Mixet faucet.
2. If your faucet has a 22-point broach then it’s likely to be an American standard faucet. That means there will be 22 splines on the broach which is located at the top of the stem.
This particular number of splines is very common in American standard faucets. So if you count 22 points on your broach, there is a high chance that your faucet may be an American standard faucet.
Although, you can double-check by measuring the size of the broach.
If the size of the broach measures 0.375 inches (0.95 cm), then it could be an old American standard faucet model and if the size measures 0.438 inches (1.11 cm) then it could be the latest American standard faucet model.
3. Fisher faucets can be recognized by their 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) broach size. You can measure the broach size by using a ruler or measuring tape.
If the measurement of the broach is 0.39 inches (0.99 cm), you may have a Fisher faucet.
However, you can double-check by counting the splines on the broach. Fisher faucets generally have 12- points on the broach.
While, there are some other brands that have 0.39 inches (0.99 cm) broach sizes that include Elkay, Brandley, Universal Rundle, and Sears.
4. You can spot T&S faucets by looking at the bulges on its stem. T&S faucets have pointy-tipped bulges around the faucet handle.
These bulges can be found near the faucet handle where the handle meets the stem. If you see any excess metal from your faucet in this area, your faucet’s brand is likely T&S faucet.
5. Chicago faucets can be recognized by their bullnose-shaped handle. You should closely observe the shape of your faucet handles, if the handle is fully rounded and there are no sharp edges or points, your faucet may be a Chicago faucet.
7. Use A Broach Gauge
A broach gauge is a specific tool used by many professional plumbers. It is designed to identify the brand of the faucet more efficiently and faster.
The broach gauge has 18 cylindrical tubes with male and female ends: a male end that inserts into the faucet handle and a female end that inserts into the faucet stem.
Basically, there is a number mentioned on the broach gauge which helps in faucet identification. For example
- The broach gauge with identification numbers 1-4 may fit with American standard faucet stems and handles.
- Identification number 1-7 fit stems and handle of Kohler faucet.