Top 3 Reasons to Include a Foot Pedal Controlled Faucet

The kitchen is the hub of the household, but also where some of the messiest work in the house takes place!  A kitchen renovation must take into account not only color schemes and cabinet styles but also how to handle the mess and waste that is produced on a daily basis in a busy kitchen.  Kitchen layout, built in waste and recycling disposal, and specialized storage are all components of a kitchen design that help keep the mess at bay. 

There are also many accessories that simplify the clean-up process in the kitchen.  A faucet equipped with a foot pedal valve is a small but very useful accessory that allows you to turn the water on and off and control the volume of water released with a foot lever.  This is an ideal addition to your kitchen design for when your hands are too messy or busy to touch the faucet.   Faucets controlled by foot pedals have long been a feature in medical facilities where hand washing and hygiene are of utmost importance.  The same technology can be applied very easily in the home kitchen with excellent benefits for hygiene, efficient water use, and more.

How does it work? 

A faucet controlled by a foot pedal valve works like a single lever faucet and can be connected to any faucet type.  The hardware for the pedal is available in an array of finishes and colors to complement your kitchen cabinets and hardware, like the example pictured to the right.  It attaches at the bottom of the kitchen cabinet and is connected by stainless steel hoses to the supply valves and faucets.  The water temperature is set using the faucet handles and the foot pedal can be locked in place to use the faucet in a conventional manner.  The foot pedal control also allows you to manage the volume of water flowing from the faucet. 

Why include a foot pedal controlled faucet?

1.  Hygiene

When you are preparing a chicken and have just finished handling raw meat, what is the first thing you want to do?  Wash your hands!  This can be difficult when you have just been touching the meat as bacteria is easily spread from your hands to the kitchen faucet.  A foot pedal faucet control means you do not have to worry as you simply turn the water on with the foot control and safely wash your hands without touching anything.

2.  Ease of Use

Kitchen jobs require multitasking and mean your hands are usually occupied.  Handling food, baking, and cleaning up greasy pots and pans keep the hands full and require frequent use of the faucet for hand washing and food preparation.  Juggling these tasks while maintaining kitchen hygiene can be challenging.  With a foot pedal controlled faucet you can fill a large pot or wash food without having to put them down first to turn on the water. 

3.  Efficient Use of Water

The foot pedal controlled faucet is also a more efficient way to use your kitchen water supply.  It allows you to turn the water on and off using the foot levers in order to avoid waste.  This saves on home water usage and is beneficial for the environment.  You are also able to control the volume of water released, which is especially useful when rinsing large pans or baking sheets as it helps to ensure you have sufficient water flow without excess water splashing out of the sink.

Do you want to find out more about foot pedal controlled faucets or other kitchen accessories that can improve your life in the kitchen?  Visit our kitchen design gallery for more inspiration or contact us today.