You probably don't think about your household faucets as long as they look nice and function well. However, over time a faucet can develop a variety of troublesome issues. While some of these issues respond well to individual part replacement or repair, others might signal the need to replace the entire faucet assembly.
You'll have a clearer idea of how to deal with a problematic faucet once you've discussed the matter with your plumber. In the meantime, a few key indicators should get you thinking about replacing your old faucets with new ones. Take a look at three telltale signs that you might want to replace a faucet.
1. Your Faucet No Longer Handles Water Properly
Faucets can spring leaks as their O-rings, seals, washers, handles, or valve rings wear out. Water may puddle around the base of the faucet during operation, or it may drip from the tap with the faucet turned off. These little leaks can turn into big expenses as they waste water, causing damage and raising utility consumption.
An old faucet can also cause a drop in your water pressure. If you can't get much water out of your tap, the faucet may have developed a thick inner layer of corrosion that prevents normal water flow.
An experienced plumbing technician can replace small components inside a faucet to improve the seal and stop leaks. However, if the metal threads inside the faucet have worn out, you'll need to replace the faucet. Severe corrosion that your plumber can't remove also indicates the need for a whole-unit replacement.
2. You Can't Operate the Faucet Easily
A traditional faucet design with two taps that twist on and off may have proven sufficient during most of your time in your home. However, advancing arthritis, an injury that has caused you to lose hand strength and dexterity, or some other debilitating issues may have made the simple act of twisting a tap painful or impossible.
If you or another home occupant has trouble working your faucet, you need to shop around for a more ergonomic design. A single lever that provides both hot and cold water is ideal. Just make sure you can move the lever without undue effort or discomfort before purchasing it.
If you want to retain the two-control design you've gotten accustomed to, look for a faucet that uses a pair of small levers instead of knobs. With this setup, you can use any part of your hand to turn the levers instead of having to grip a knob and twist it.
3. You Plan to Remodel Your Kitchen or Bathroom
You need not struggle with disabilities or structural wear to want a new or different set of faucets. If you plan on giving your kitchens and bathrooms a whole new look, the design of your current faucets may not mesh with your proposed color scheme, room layout, architectural style, or surface finishes, forcing their replacement.
Decide on the overall look you want to achieve before falling in love with a new faucet's particular color, style, or finish. You want your faucet to integrate seamlessly into the overall color and style of the space. For instance, a copper or gold faucet may look nicer than gray or silver if your bathroom or kitchen features earth tones.
You should also choose the new faucets for your remodel based on practical considerations. If you have plenty of space over your kitchen or bathroom faucet, a pull-down gooseneck faucet will work well. If you plan on installing overhead cabinets, you may need to buy and install a pull=out faucet design instead.
PlumbRite can serve as your all-in-one plumbing services solution, including any needed faucet repairs or replacements. Our technicians can inspect a misbehaving faucet, determine whether it has reached the end of its useful life, and install beautiful new faucets that suit your needs perfectly. Contact us today.
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