I have been told we have to use all Kohler brand fixtures in the house we are building because when the "rough" plumbing was installed, they used Kohler valves. Is this true? Is there some way the fittings can be universal and we can purchase say, a Fontaine brand faucet even thought the plumbing out of the wall is Kohler brand? HELP!|||First I will state that I am a licensed plumber. Hope that's not a shock to some of you yahooers to see a lowly plumber here on the boards....Anyway, now that's out of the way i shall continue....
They way you have your terms set you seem a bit confused in regards to your plumbing fixtures. You mentioned the "rough in" plumbing but you never mentioned what "rough in". Was it a 1st rough, 2nd rough, 3rd rough or final rough? These matter to help answer your question. Typically, with the 1st rough the only plumbing that is being done is underground work in the basement, etc for your house's drainage. The 2nd rough brings the drainage piping up out of the basement floor and to the approximate locations of where fixtures and where kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc should be in the house. The 2nd rough is done completed before any fixtures are set. Once the 2nd rough is completed then the plumber doesn't return to the house until the house is nearly finished. This becomes the 3rd rough, where the plumber sets bathtubs and pipes the drain lines to the exact location of sinks, toilets and tubs. Once that is complete the plumber leaves and other contractors complete their work. The plumber then comes back for the final rough. In this final rough is when the fixtures are installed. when i say fixtures, i mean sink bowls, vanities, toilets, etc.
So what i'm trying to tell you, as long as the plumber hasn't completed the final rough of the house, you can change whatever sink, faucet or toilet you like (there are some exceptions to this, but those exceptions are minimal) for the most part you are not limited to just one manufacturer like Kohler If the building subcontractor gives you a hard time, just say that you know better because you spoke with a reputable outside plumber who steered you in the right direction.
On another professional note, I would highly recommend Kohler to you. They make a very nice and very durable/lasting product line. They are American made products which means when it does come time to repair a faucet or toilet that parts are readily available to fix it. I can't tell you the number of times i've shown up at someones house to fix a faucet or toilet and it was some German made one. People tend to get mad when you tell them that since its foreign that parts have to be ordered and it'll take a week or 2 for parts to come it. So once again, Kohler makes a great product line.....so does Moen. So that's something to think about.
As far as those talking about going to Home Depot or somewhere similar, you should really do your homework first. Home Depot and places like that have zero knowledge of specialized fields like plumbing.....again ZERO! FYI, it takes 4 years of plumbing trade school to even apply to take the state exam, 4 years that bozo's at home depot don't have to take to claim they know what they're talking about....anyway, and from professional experience, call around to your local plumbing supply stores (places that only deal in plumbing parts). Usually they have showrooms 2 times the size of what home depot or lowes has anyway, they're more designed to accomodate what you're looking for.....and here's the shock that no one knows.....they're cheaper 90% of the time (the only time they aren't really is if you want some foreign made fixtures).
Well sorry for the long rant, hope my 2 cents helps.
Good luck|||who told you that? plumbing fittings are standard so you dont have to buy a new sink when all you need is a new faucet..My suggestion is to drop by your local home depot and take a look for yourself.|||go to your local plumbing shop and ask them, not the folks here.|||Sounds like your plumber is trying to sell you top of the line fixtures, so his cut will be that much more. He's feeding you a line of bullsh*t. All fittings(at least in the U.S.) are universal.
The only thing you have to take in to consideration is the size of your faucets, so they fit your sink. They usually come 4", 6" or 8" on center.|||My exe and dad are plumbers, but I'm not sure. It might be as you say, but I doubt it is a concrete rule. I don't know what it would cost to convert. Call a plumbing supply or plumbing service. They both hate Kohler because they are such pains in the butt to repair... Now what he might be saying is that in the rough out, the measurements were done for Kohler brand stuff, so that might be the deal.|||No, you don't. We just had new fixtures put on two of our sinks, replacing the Kohler with some I liked better. :)|||You can buy any brand you want, it is all standard. As mentioned faucets have different centers but there is a wide selection in all sizes by many manufactures. I would not use the plumber who said you HAD to use Kohler. If he is not trustworthy.
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