Care & Maintenance

Before you make a decision...

All decorative plumbing and hardware have specific care and maintenance instructions. Before rushing into a purchase decision we recommend you consider the following:

Finishes for a lifetime

Finish is the surface we see and touch, and the one you select will have an effect on the durability and utility of the product. This means that the amount of work needed to maintain the hardware and fixtures will depend on the type of finish you choose. The atmosphere, light, water, chemicals and, of course, the use of the product itself generate an impact that varies from one finish to another. Ask our staff for advice to make sure you pick the one that best enhances the design while providing long-term endurance. They will guide you through the performance characteristics of the various finishes as well as the maintenance needs.

Cleaning & Caring for Door and Cabinet Hardware & Metallic Plumbing Finishes

Products

Guidance

Coated Finishes

Clean with mild non-abrasive liquid detergent and water

Avoid contact with uncured paint, thinners, acids, solvents and chemicals

Maintain by applying a non-abrasive polymer-based wax to protect the coating.

Apply monthly to exterior hardware. Apply two times a month in coastal areas.

If scratched or finish deteriorates, have the hardware professionally refinished.

PVD Finishes

Clean with mild, non-abrasive liquid detergent and water.

Avoid contact with uncured paint, thinners, acids, solvents, glue, stain and chemicals.

Coated Oil Rubbed Bronze

Clean with a mild liquid detergent and water

Never use ammonia-based cleaning products, harsh chemicals, bleach or abrasive cleaners

To restore patina, gently rub with a Scotch Brite or similar pad and then apply a generous coating of high-quality furniture wax.

Chrome Finishes

Clean with a mild liquid detergent.

Never use abrasive or chemical-based cleaners.

Vintage or Weathered Finishes

Keep dry. Use a soft cloth to wipe off moisture.

Apply a light coating of high quality furniture wax.

Gold Finishes

Gold is soft and can scratch easily. To help prevent scratching regularly clean with warm water and dry fixtures with a chamois.

Cleaning & Caring for Door Hardware

Products

Guidance

Exterior Locks

Spray springs and moving parts of the lock with white lithium grease every six months or more frequently if they do not operate smoothly.

Spray the keyway of the cylinder lightly with graphite at the first sign of sticking. Use a drop cloth to avoid stains from drips. A little goes a long way.

Lubricate exterior locks by opening the door, pushing in the protruding latch and spraying lightly with graphite.

Interior Latches and Locks

Lightly spray springs and moving parts of the latch or lock with white lithium grease every six months or more frequently if they don't operate smoothly.

Lubricate interior locks by opening the door, pushing in the protruding latch and spraying lightly with graphite.

Hinges

Push the hinge pin up to the first knuckle. DO NOT completely remove it. Coat with a light spray of lithium grease annually or more frequently if the hinge squeaks.

Cleaning & Caring for Plumbing Fixtures

Products

Guidance

Ceramic and Vitreous China

Clean with mild liquid non-abrasive detergent.

Avoid abrasive or harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive pads.

Avoid using Soft Scrub type cleaners regularly.

Ceramic Weather Glazes

They change over time. Crazing is a part of the natural changing process.

Clean with a mild liquid non-abrasive detergent.

Never use abrasive pads, chlorine or harsh chemicals.

Fire Clay

Clean with non-abrasive cleaners.

Remove stubborn stains with a mild abrasive such as Soft Scrub.

Never use abrasive pads, chlorine or harsh chemicals.

Granite Polymers, Silicate Quartz Polymers

Rinse and wipe with a clean soft cloth after each use to eliminate water spots, stains and soap film.

Use a 50-50 solution of water and bleach to remove stubborn stains.

Do not use straight bleach, ammonia, caustic soda solutions, abrasive cleaning agents, steel wool or scouring pads.

Purchase sink grid to avoid potential scratches.

Porcelain Enamel

Clean with mild non-abrasive cleaners.

Purchase a sink grid to avoid potential scratches.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, chlorine bleach or harsh chemicals to clean.

Acrylic

Clean with a mild, diluted dishwashing liquid.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, chlorine bleach or harsh chemicals to clean.

Clean with a mild, diluted dishwashing liquid.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, chlorine bleach or harsh chemicals to clean.

Terrazzo

Clean stains immediately. Remove grease with solvents such as carbon tetrachloride.

Treat stain with household ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or lemon juices.

Cast Iron

Periodically clean with a mild abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub. Remove stubborn stains with a soft nylon scrubber. (Do not use steel wool, metal brushes scrapers or abrasive sponge pads.)

Satin Stainless Steel

Wipe after each use with a soft cloth.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or steel wood.

Letting cleaning agents sit in the sink for long periods of time could stain the sink.

Purchase a sink grid to protect the bottom.

Minor scratches can be removed using a Scotch Brite Pad with a deep cleaning agent (Bon Ami or Zud)

Polished Stainless Steel

Clean with a mild detergent and soft cloth/sponge.

Do not use abrasive scouring pads (Scotch Brite) or steel wool, chlorine bleach, harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

Copper Sinks and Tubs

Use soap and water to clean sinks with factory baked on coatings. Do not use copper polish. Uncoated sinks can be polished or left to patina.

Glass Basins

Do not pour scalding water in basin.

Clean with ammonia-free glass cleaner.

Soap Dispensers

Soak dispenser in hot water to loosen old soap.

Toilet Seats

Do not use abrasive cleaners, detergents or products in aerosol cans.

Clean painted wooden seats with mild dishwashing liquid.

Solid Surfacing Materials

Use an ammonia-based cleaner for most stains

Use an abrasive cleaner and a Scotch Brite pad to remove more difficult stains.

Repair minor scratches with18-22 grit fine sandpaper and restore finish with an abrasive cleaner and Scotch Brite Pad.

Wood Sinks and Tubs

Dry with a clean cloth after each use to help eliminate the chance of dirt and lime buildup. Occasionally use a wax or polish in accord with manufacturer instructions.

Do not let water pool because it could damage the wood and eventually break the seal.

Some chemicals used to clean faucets and countertops can be harmful to wood products.

Cultured Marble, Granite and Onyx

Clean with a liquid detergent. Restore dull surfaces using a liquid cleaning compound followed by a light application of wax.

Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, scouring pads, scrapers or sandpaper.

Remove difficult stains and build ups with turpentine, denatured alcohol or paint thinner.

Gold Sinks

Use a mild soap (Ivory) and dry with a soft cloth or chamois.

Avoid polishes because they can scratch the plating

Do not scrub the sink

Do not use ammonia-based or abrasive cleaners.

A plated finish on gold-plated brass sinks can erode over time.

Caring for Plumbing Parts & Fixtures

Products

Guidance

Ceramic Disc Cartridges

Turn on the hot and cold sides of faucets that are not regularly used for 60 seconds

Do not apply extreme force on the handles to stop dripping.

Toilets

Clean the inside of the toilet tank annually to prevent scum buildup. Do not use in tank cleaners in your toilet. Products containing chlorine can seriously damage fittings in the tank.

Adjust toilet components (fill / flush valves) according to manufacturers' recommendations to maintain full flush performance

Use soft, dampened sponge or cloth. Never use an abrasive material such as a brush or scouring pad to clean surfaces

If you live in a hard water area, make certain that the holes in the toilet rim are kept clean to ensure proper bowl flushing.

Supply Stops

Turn the stops off and on every few months

Spout Aerators

Close drain prior to cleaning (to avoid losing parts)

Unscrew aerator and gently scrub the inside part to loosen any foreign materials. Rinse with water and screw the aerator back into the spout. Turn on the water slowly to test for leaks. If it leaks, tighten the aerator until leaking stops

Exercise care to prevent scratching or bending the aerator with pliers.

Pressure Balanced and Tub/ Shower Valves

It is normal for a minimal amount of water to drip from the shower head after shutting the water off. If water drips for longer than three minutes, most likely one of two problems have occurred. The mechanical stop may not be set properly or the cartridge needs replacing.

If the valve has a filter, remove and clean it in accord with manufacturer directions.

In hard water locations, remove the pressure balancing cartridge and soak it in white vinegar.

Thermostatic Valves

Clean filters annually (follow manufacturer cleaning recommendations)

Remove mineral deposits by soaking the cartridge in white vinegar for several hours then re-install.

Air Baths

The noise heard when the bath jets are activated is the result of the extreme action of the water and not from the operation of the motor. To reduce noise levels, add a small amount of foaming bath powder. The powder served as an insulator and can help maintain water temperature.

It is normal to feel cool air coming from jets when you sit next to them. This is due to convection. To avoid this occurrence, turn the bath on five minutes before filling it with water so that the motor is warm when entering the bath

maintenance. If the bath is used sporadically or the purge cycle is neglected, monthly maintenance is required.

Clean the tub: Close the drain. Pour 1 quarter of white vinegar into the bath. Fill the bath with very hot water 4 inches above the jets and let stand for two to four hours. Turn the jets on and off at 15-second intervals six times. Empty the tub and refill with clean water. Repeat the on-off procedure two to three times. Drain the bath.

Jetted Tubs

Clean the circulation system with a jetted tub cleaner every two to three weeks.

Water Closets (Toilets)

To clean the bowl, use a toilet bowl cleaner and brush.

To stop running water, check to assure the flapper is closed. If it appears to be closed, turn off the water at the supply stop. Remove the tank lid. Clean the flapper with a wet cotton cloth or paper towel. Turn water on at the supply stop. Wait for the tank to fill with water and shut off. Flush the toilet. Watch the tank fill and make sure it shuts off.

Garbage Disposers

Always run cold water when grinding.

Do not attempt to grind clam, mussel or oyster shells, corn husks, artichoke leaves or other foods with high fiber contents.

Grinding small bones, ice and egg shells help clean the disposer, but most disposers are self-cleaning.

Hot Water Dispenser

Always disconnect the power before performing any maintenance on the unit

Regularly replace water filters according to manufacturers' recommendations

Most dispensers have a thermostat to allow you to adjust the temperature of the water

Extremely hot water may result in severe burns

Only use mild cleaners without abrasives to clean the faucet

Annually inspect the tank and water lines for signs of leakage

Steam Generators

Be proactive by adding an auto drain at the time of purchase if one is not included as standard equipment. The device drains water completely out of the unit at the conclusion of the bath. It also helps to remove debris and sediment.

Point of Use Water Systems

Follow manufacturer recommendations for filter replacement.

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