Faucets are little, yet essential, parts of your
house. When they work typically, you
most likely do not think much about them. If not, the
decision over faucet repair or replacement can be uncertain.
Normally, bathroom and
kitchen faucets can last ten years or more, but this
depends on many
elements. Hard water or more regular usage
can reduce a faucet's lifespan. If
you're undecided on repairing or changing a loud,
spouting, or leaking faucet, continue reading for some
helpful guidance.
Should You Repair It?
Many problems are fixable
due to the fact that faucets included
changeable parts. Typical
problem points include O-rings. An O-ring is a
piece of rubber that fits around the valve stem; it can end up being
loose or damaged through normal wear and tear.
Rusted valve seats can interrupt the seal that
avoids water from leaking. A valve seat connects the
compression mechanism to the cartridge. Damaged or loose
washers can occur with routine usage, while used inlet
and outlet seals in disk cartridge faucets can cause trouble as well.
The most common faucet issues requiring
repair work include:
Leaks/Drips: A leak is typically the first
sign internal parts are wearing down or stopping working. If
a leak happens from under the handle, a worn O-
ring might require to be replaced. If the faucet is
leaking, a corroded valve seat or loose washer might
be the cause. Leaks can also happen internally, which can
trigger an incorrect mix of hot and cold water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a
leaky faucet, at one drip per second, can squander over
3,000 gallons annually.1 This is one reason why leaky
faucet repair is so crucial.

Irregular Water Circulation: The stream of water from a faucet
must be constant. If the water is rather
spitting, sputtering, or spraying, there might be internal damage. Call a
professional to examine and repair the system.
Irregular flow can be brought on by a
clogged aerator filter or air that has collected in water lines. Awaiting repairs can result in extra
damage that could have been avoided.
Squeaking Noises: If the handle squeaks when turned, and
using grease does not deal with the
problem, a repair is needed. Squeaking is
typically caused by used
threads in the faucet handle, but it can be caused by a loose washer too. The valve stem might be worn, causing loose parts to flap around. High water
pressure can trigger the faucet to screech, or there
may be particles lodged in the pipes or the faucet itself.
Low Water Pressure: While low water pressure can show a
water line break or sewer line
clog, it might also be brought on by a clogged aerator or cartridge. Debris and mineral
deposits can minimize water pressure; this is a likely
scenario if the issue is limited to
just one faucet. Other causes can consist of crushed or kinked
supply lines under the sink, limiting the circulation of water to
the faucet.
A plumber who has
diagnosed the problem and has the
proper parts can repair a restroom faucet in
anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.2 Repair costs depend
upon the part, the type of faucet, and the extent of the
damage.
What Type of Faucet Do You Have?
The type and brand name of faucet you have will impact your
choice. Top quality faucets are
typically guaranteed for life, with replacement parts
readily available just by asking the producer
for them. Upscale brands like Mohn, GROHE, and
ROHL will replace parts for free. The other
factor to consider is the type of faucet you have, which
can be a:
Ball Faucet: Most commonly set
up in kitchen areas, it has numerous parts, making it
prone to leaks. An internal ball controls the
flow of water.

Disk Faucet: A modern-day style that
mixes hot and cold water in a special
chamber, and controls water volume by means of
2 ceramic disks, it does not often require repairs.
Cartridge Faucet: A single- or double-handle faucet used in the
normal restroom sink. Movement is
smooth and consistent with no pressure
required to shut off the faucet.
Compression Faucet: The handle (and, in turn, the washer) needs
to be tightened to close the water flow. This
design is utilized in utility sinks and is more
frequently found in older houses.
Should You Change It?
This includes not just parts and products however also
labor.3 Faucet replacement often costs more than
repairs, but that depends on your
distinct situations. In most cases, it is more cost-efficient to change a leaky
faucet, specifically if it is old or has been repaired
numerous times.
A couple of factors to consider replacement over
faucet repair include:
Repair work cost more than replacing the faucet,
especially if you can pay for a higher
quality brand that offers a service warranty and/or replacement parts totally free.
Frequent repair work are needed, which can
increase the expense enough that replacing the faucet is a
more cost-efficient
option.
Your fixtures are old and, even if fixed, are more
likely to require extra repair work in the
future, without any warranty of enduring efficiency.
You want a more efficient system; older faucets can
perform at 3 to 5 gallons per minute, while modern, efficient
ones typically don't exceed 2.5
gallons per minute.
You do not like your components; replacing your
faucets can be a valuable update to your
home, specifically if you're
renovating or plan to sell it in the future.

The sink or counter surface may be harmed;
to restore it, you might need to also change your
faucet, whether there's something bad with it or not.
It is important to know
when to repair or change a faucet, as tricky as
the decision can be. The ideal choice will
avoid more extreme damage. Talk to a plumbing
professional as soon as possible if you have a leaky or otherwise
harmed faucet.
Faucet & Leak Repairs in Lake Balboa
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Lake Balboa