Our Bathroom Tap Mechanism

Our taps often have aerators at the tip to limit water flow and introduce air in the form of bubbles to reduce splashing. Without an aerator, water usually flows out of the tap in one big stream. An aerator spreads the water flow into many small droplets. 

Foot controlled valves are installed within laboratory and healthcare/hohspitals, as well as in industrial settings where extremely dirty hands operating taps might leave residues on them.

Modern bathroom and kitchen taps often use brass or plastic surfaces sliding against other spring-loaded brass surfaces or plastic washers. These taps exploit the uniquely low value of the coefficient of friction of 2 brass surfaces in contact, especially in the presence of water as a lubricant. These taps tend to require far less maintenance than traditional globe valves, and when maintenance is required the entire interior of the valve is usually replaced, often as a single pre-assembled cartridge.