Let’s take a moment to talk about a plumbing component that certainly receives plenty of usage on a daily basis: the faucet! As we’ve mentioned numerous times previously on our plumbing blog, your home’s plumbing system consists of several different pieces and fixtures. Whether it be the water lines, drain lines, toilets, water heater or anything else, it doesn’t hurt to have a general understanding of each so you’ll know when something isn’t right! Having said that, it’s also worthwhile to have an idea of when it makes most sense to replace a plumbing fixture versus repairing it. After all, if you find yourself repeatedly repairing the same plumbing fixture, then it’s safe to say it may be more cost-efficient to just replace it, right?
As alluded to in the opening sentence, this week’s blog post is going to be solely focused on your faucets. Faucets are one of many plumbing fixtures that deal with consistent wear and tear throughout the year. As such, it’s no surprise why durability is an important quality to look for when purchasing a new one. In addition, due to this frequent usage, you can’t ignore the fact that they’ll eventually need to be replaced too. In this week’s blog post, we’re going to evaluate a few scenarios that could signal it’s time for a new faucet!
Bathroom Remodel
We’ll start off with a fun one and that is bathroom remodeling. Home improvement projects are certainly nothing new and one area where many homeowners look to make some renovations is in regards to the bathrooms. Whether that be a full-scale remodel or simply swapping out a few fixtures, there are certainly plenty of possibilities! Nonetheless, if you are looking to improve the look of your bathroom and planning to make some changes throughout, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to upgrade the faucets too. This wouldn’t require a major investment, yet is still capable of adding a modern touch to the space. Not to mention, with a plethora of styles available nowadays, you’ll also have no trouble finding an option that blends in seamlessly with the design/aesthetic that you have envisioned for the room.
By the way, this same logic would hold true for a kitchen remodel too!
Existing Faucets are Dated
As is the case with several other aspects of the plumbing world, we have seen remarkable advancements in the options available to homeowners. Whether that be in regards to efficiency levels or technological features, it has undoubtedly improved the quality of the finished product. With this being the case, another reason why you may consider having new faucets installed is if the existing faucets are a little dated. Do they lack the shine that they once had? Can you tell immediately based on the style that they’re an older model? While they still may work just fine, we’re sure you’ll have a blast browsing through possible replacements capable of bringing a breath of fresh air to the room!
If you’re someone that likes smart features in your home, then you may consider a voice-activated faucet in the kitchen. If you’re interested in bringing a more modern feel to the room, then you may want to consider the trendy matte black finishes. All in all, there’s nothing wrong with choosing to invest in an upgrade for any existing faucets that may be a little dated!
Constant Issues
One of the most common reasons for homeowners choosing to have a new faucet installed is when the existing faucet seems to have issues popping up all the time and requiring repairs. This can be a decision homeowners may have to make in regards to plenty of other plumbing fixtures too, as you’ll have to decide whether it makes more sense to pay for another repair or simply replace the fixture altogether. In any case, when it comes to faucets, due to their everyday wear and tear, small issues can arise from time-to-time. While some of these issues (like a dripping faucet) might not seem like something that’s an urgent problem, you also don’t want to let these issues sit for extended periods of time. In the end, if you find yourself having to call a plumber a few times for the same exact faucet, it might make most sense to just have a new one installed!
How Long Do Faucets Last?
Another popular question many homeowners have in regards to various plumbing components is how long they can expect them to last. Well…to be honest, the answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as you may hope thanks to a number of variables. For example, while a general rule of thumb is that you can expect to get roughly 10-12 years out of a water heater, that isn’t necessarily going to be true in all situations. Particularly with a water heater, maintenance is an extremely important characteristic and as such, we’ve seen plenty of scenarios where homeowners get well over 12 years out of their unit.
When it comes to faucets though, there are a few factors capable of impacting just how many years you can get out of a particular faucet. First and foremost, you have the amount of wear and tear that it has to put up with it. Especially in commercial settings with higher levels of traffic, faucets can break down quicker simply because they’re being used more frequently. Another factor worth mentioning is the brand of faucet. Just like with several other plumbing fixtures, it’s truly worth it to purchase a product from a reliable and well-respected brand. Luckily, there are a number of faucet brands out there that have been around for years and can be counted on to manufacture quality products! One more variable that we’ll mention before wrapping up this blog post is maintenance. If we’re talking about aesthetics, the idea of “maintenance” is going to revolve around keeping the flawless appearance that the faucet had when it was first installed. Keep in mind that certain faucet finishes are going to require more cleaning/maintenance than others. On the other hand, if we’re talking about faucet performance, maintenance will include the cleaning of the aerator to remove any calcium/mineral deposits. While the act of doing each of these is fairly easy, it’s also something that’s easy to procrastinate on!
Faucet Services in Kansas City
We’ve discussed this before, but faucets truly are a perfect example of a plumbing component that not only serves a rather straightforward purpose, yet are also capable of having an impact on the aesthetics of a room! After all, many homeowners will want a faucet that matches flawlessly with their countertops, backsplash and other elements in the bathroom or kitchen. As evidenced throughout this blog post, there are also a number of situations where homeowners could opt to have new faucets installed. Whether it be due to necessity (if the existing one simply stops working) or rather to add a modern touch to the space, you’ll be amazed by the amount of quality options to pick from!
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, faucets also tend to be a plumbing fixture that our technicians work with repeatedly throughout the year. From installing new faucets to repairing existing ones, we’re happy to provide homeowners and commercial facilities with reliable faucet services. Furthermore, if you’re unsure of which faucet brands you should be considering in the purchasing process, we can help with that as well! To request a free estimate for an upcoming project, feel free to click the link HERE or give us a call at (816) 348-3481.