8 out of 10 faucets under 20$ failed

Recently, the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Quality Supervision released the results of the 2017 residents’ home improvement products quality spot check, involving faucets, stainless steel sinks, bathroom brackets and paint-free boards. The pass rate of faucets is the lowest at 67.5%, and the pass rate of faucets priced at 100 yuan and below is only 14.3%.

The unqualified rate of taps under 20$ is as high as 85.7%

Previously, the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision commissioned the Nanjing Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute to conduct random inspections on 40 batches of faucet products sold by production enterprises, circulation areas and e-commerce platforms in Nanjing. After inspection, 27 batches were qualified and 13 batches were unqualified, with a pass rate of 67.5%.

Nanjing Quality Supervision Bureau classified the test results according to the product source and price range, and the results were eye-catching.

The 40 batches of tap products sampled this time were 20 batches, 19 batches and 1 batch sampled from physical stores, e-commerce platforms and manufacturing companies, respectively. Among them, the qualification rate of physical store products is the lowest at 55%; the qualification rate of e-commerce platform products is 78.9%; and the qualification rate of production enterprises is 100%.

From the perspective of product prices, the pass rate of products of 70$ and above is 100% (unqualified rate 0%), and the pass rate of products between 20$ and 70$ is 85.7% (unqualified rate 14.3%). The pass rate of products between 20$ and 40$ is 62.5% (the unqualified rate is 37.5%), and the pass rate of products of 100 yuan and below is 14.3% (the unqualified rate is 85.7%).

2 batches of faucet metal pollutants precipitation exceeded the standard

This sampling inspection was carried out in accordance with GB 18145-2014 “Ceramic Sheet Sealing Faucet” and GB 25501-2010 “Limited Value of Faucet Water Efficiency and Water Efficiency Grade”. Among the 13 batches of unqualified products, the unqualified items mainly related to surface corrosion resistance, water efficiency grade, flow uniformity and materials, among which 2 batches of products were detected to exceed the standard of metal pollutant precipitation (lead).

In addition, this sampling inspection also refers to the standard of QB/T 1334-2013 “General Technical Conditions for Faucets”, and carried out the sealing performance of the faucet after freezing for 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours at a low temperature of -10°C. Risk monitoring. After inspection, 33 batches of faucets meet the standard requirements, with a compliance rate of 82.5%.

Inspection item analysis

①Flow uniformity and water efficiency grade

Flow uniformity and water efficiency grade Among the samples sampled this time, 1 batch of water efficiency grade was unqualified, and the pass rate of this project was 97.5%; 3 batches of flow uniformity were unqualified, and the pass rate of this project was 92.5%. These two items are the requirements for the energy efficiency of the water tap, and the uniformity of the flow is the prerequisite for evaluating the water efficiency grade of the tap. Excessive flow of water nozzles will cause waste of water resources, which is not conducive to the implementation of my country’s energy conservation and emission reduction policies.

②Surface corrosion resistance

Among the samples sampled this time, 12 batches of surface corrosion resistance were unqualified, and the pass rate of this project was 70%. Products with unqualified surface corrosion resistance are prone to rust during use, which will not provide protection and affect the appearance and use of the product. The surface corrosion resistance of the faucet not only depends on the company’s electroplating process, but also involves various aspects such as material, casting process, polishing and pretreatment.

③Precipitation of metal pollutants

Among the samples sampled this time, 2 batches of metal contaminants were unqualified, and the pass rate of this project was 95%. The precipitation of metal pollutants is related to human health, especially the accumulation of lead in the human body, which can cause long-term health risks in the human body and affect the normal physiological functions of the human body. The low-grade copper grades of faucet products and the substandard production process of the enterprise are all causes of excessive precipitation of metal pollutants.

(Unqualified samples precipitated by gold contaminants)

④Material

Among the samples sampled this time, 7 batches of materials were unqualified, and the pass rate of this project was 82.5%. Some products use zinc alloy, a corrosive material whose price is only 1/3 of copper alloy. This material is easy to corrode, which not only affects the appearance, but also reduces the strength of the faucet, causing water leakage and cracking after a period of use. Compared with copper alloys, zinc alloys are cheap and easy to process. In order to control costs and reduce processing links, some companies use zinc alloys instead of copper alloys to make greater profits.

⑤ Risk items (temperature test)

This sampling conducted a temperature test, that is, freezing the water nozzle at -10°C for 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours to test the sealing performance. After testing, among the 40 batches of taps sampled this time, a total of 7 batches of faucets have leaked in a low temperature environment.

At present, there is no corresponding national standard for the freezing temperature value of faucets. Under normal circumstances, the faucet will not be frozen and cracked at a few degrees below zero, but after low-temperature freezing, due to the expansion and condensation of water in the valve core, the valve core will be squeezed and stressed. There will be leakage at the connection. In order to save costs, some manufacturers use poor-quality brass as the casting material for the faucet. The ductility of the metal is greatly reduced, and it is easy to freeze at low temperatures and almost breaks when it is knocked.

(Sample with unqualified freeze-thaw sealing performance)

Consumer advice

①Avoid buying zinc alloy faucets

Zinc alloy is a corrosive material, so you should avoid this type of product when purchasing a faucet. It can be distinguished according to the inner cavity of the product. Copper materials are generally castings, and the inner wall of the product is not very flat, while zinc alloys are injection-milled, the inner wall will be very smooth, and the inner wall has obvious separation lines. If possible, you can grind away the sample in an inconspicuous place to see the color. The color of zinc alloy is white, while copper alloy is yellow.

②Avoid buying low-cost faucets

The unqualified rate of faucets below 100 yuan is as high as 85.7%, and many items that have a greater impact on consumers’ health, such as the precipitation of materials and metal pollutants, are not recommended.

③Look at the surface

Visually check whether the plating surface of the faucet is evenly glossy, and pay attention to whether there are any defects such as peeling, cracking, burning, bottoming, peeling, dark spots and obvious pitting. The sprayed surface structure should be fine, smooth and uniform, without defects such as sagging and bottoming. There is no burr or grit to the hand.

④Look at the thread

The pipe thread of the faucet is connected with the connecting hose or pipe. When purchasing, visually check the thread surface for defects such as dents and broken teeth. Pay special attention to the effective length of the pipe thread.

⑤ Look at the feel

Try turning the handle up, down, left, and right. If it feels light and does not feel blocking, the valve core is better. The main parts of a good quality faucet are made of brass. Pay attention to distinguish products that use alloy materials and engineering plastics, whose quality and service life are relatively poor.

⑥ Water saving

The faucet with a bubbler saves water better. Feel the water flow with your hand when purchasing. The soft water flow and rich foaming (water flow bubble content) indicate that the bubbler is of better quality.