What does washerless mean?
A. In washerless faucets, the control of the water flow is done by a cartridge or arrangement of seals that allow water to flow when the holes or ports are lined up. Water flow is basically sheared off, causing less friction than with regular faucets. Unlike regular faucets which utilize washers, extra strength of pressure on the handle will not help stop the water flow. There are many designs of washerless cartridges, some of which can be very expensive. Ceramic cartridges have been around for twenty years, and are growing in popularity. Ceramic cartridges tend to last longer than other types but can cost a lot more to replace.
