For a quick and easy upgrade in a house's most popular room, nothing makes a bigger impact with less sweat and expense than replacing an outdated faucet
Brass is usually alloyed with lead to make it easier to cast. By law, faucets sold in the U.S. can't contain more than 8 percent lead, but that lead can contaminate water sitting inside the faucet body for more than a few hours. (Running the tap for a few seconds will flush it out.) California and Vermont have enacted a stricter standard: a "maximum weighted average" of no more than 0.25 percent. For a list of nearly 7,000 faucets that meet this low-lead standard, go to NSF.org/consumer, or look for fixtures with the label NSF 61-G. rtridge valves differ by faucet make and model; if you ever need to replace one, order it directly from the manufacturer.
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