Faucets are little, yet important, parts of your
home. When they work normally, you
most likely do not think much about them. If not, the
decision over faucet repair or replacement can be unclear.
Usually, bathroom and
kitchen faucets can last ten years or more, however this
depends on many
elements. Hard water or more frequent usage
can decrease a faucet's lifespan. If
you're undecided on fixing or replacing a loud,
spouting, or leaking faucet, continue reading for some
practical assistance.
Should You Repair It?
Lots of problems are fixable
because faucets included
changeable parts. Common
problem points include O-rings. An O-ring is a
piece of rubber that fits around the valve stem; it can become
loose or damaged through typical wear and tear.
Rusted valve seats can disrupt the seal that
prevents water from leaking. A valve seat links the
compression mechanism to the cartridge. Harmed or loose
washers can occur with regular use, while used inlet
and outlet seals in disk cartridge faucets can cause trouble as well.
The most common faucet issues needing
repair work include:
Leaks/Drips: A leak is frequently the first
indication internal parts are wearing down or stopping working. If
a leak occurs from under the handle, a worn O-
ring might require to be replaced. If the faucet is
dripping, a corroded valve seat or loose washer might
be the cause. Leaks can also occur internally, which can
cause an inaccurate mixture of cold
and hot water. According to the U.S. Epa, a
leaky faucet, at one drip per 2nd, can lose over
3,000 gallons each year.1 This is one reason why leaky
faucet repair is so important.

Irregular Water Flow: The stream of water from a faucet
should be constant. If the water is rather
spitting, sputtering, or spraying, there may be internal damage. Call a
professional to check and repair the system.
Irregular circulation can be brought on by a
clogged aerator filter or air that has collected in water lines. Awaiting repairs can lead to extra
damage that might have been avoided.
Squeaking Sounds: If the handle squeaks when turned, and
applying grease doesn't fix the
problem, a repair is required. Squeaking is
often triggered by used
threads in the faucet handle, however it can be triggered
by a loose washer too. The valve stem might be worn, triggering loose parts to flap around. High water
pressure can trigger the faucet to squeal, or there
might be particles lodged in the pipes or the faucet itself.
Low Water Pressure: While low water pressure can indicate a
water line break or sewer line
blockage, it may also be triggered
by a clogged aerator or cartridge. Debris and mineral
deposits can decrease water pressure; this is a likely
situation if the problem 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 plumbing technician who has
diagnosed the problem and has the
proper parts can repair a restroom faucet in
anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.2 Repair expenses depend
upon the part, the type of faucet, and the degree of the
damage.
What Type of Faucet Do You Have?
The type and brand name of faucet you have will affect your
decision. Premium faucets are
frequently ensured for life, with replacement parts
available just by asking the producer
for them. High end brand names like Mohn, GROHE, and
ROHL will change parts free of charge. The other
factor to consider is the type of faucet you have, which
can be a:
Ball Faucet: Most frequently installed in kitchen areas, it has many parts, making it
prone to leaks. An internal ball manages the
circulation of water.

Disk Faucet: A modern style that
mixes cold and hot water in an unique
chamber, and manages water volume via
two ceramic disks, it does not often need repair work.
Cartridge Faucet: A single- or double-handle faucet utilized in the
normal restroom sink. Motion is
smooth and constant with no pressure
required to turn off the faucet.
Compression Faucet: The handle (and, in turn, the washer) should be tightened up to close the water flow. This
style is used in utility sinks and is more often found in older homes.
Should You Change It?
This includes not only parts and products however also
labor.3 Faucet replacement typically costs more than
repairs, however that depends on your
unique circumstances. Oftentimes, it is more cost-
effective to replace a leaky
faucet, specifically if it is old or has been fixed
several times.
A couple of reasons to consider replacement over
faucet repair include:
Repair work cost more than changing the faucet,
particularly if you can pay for a higher
quality brand name that uses a warranty and/or replacement parts for free.
Regular repairs are needed, which can
increase the expense enough that changing the faucet is a
more cost-efficient
alternative.
Your components are old and, even if fixed, are more
likely to require additional repair work in the
future, with no warranty of lasting performance.
You want a more effective unit; older faucets can
perform at 3 to 5 gallons per minute, while modern, effective
ones frequently do not surpass 2.5
gallons per minute.
You don't like your fixtures; changing your
faucets can be an important update to your
home, particularly if you're
refurbishing or plan to sell it in the future.

The sink or counter surface might be harmed;
to restore it, you might need to also replace your
faucet, whether there's something bad with it or not.
It is essential to understand
when to repair or replace a faucet, as tricky as
the decision can be. The right choice will
prevent more severe damage. Seek advice from a plumber as soon as possible if you have a leaky or otherwise
harmed faucet.
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in North Hills