Faucet Repair or Replacement?
9 Reasons to Upgrade Your Faucet
Introduction
If your faucet is malfunctioning, how do you know if you should repair or replace it? This blog will teach you the ins and outs of faucet repairs and replacements. Do you want to know how to choose a kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet? Click the links to view our other blogs! If you need a faucet replacement, it’s the best time to do so because your Rochester plumbers at Pride Plumbing are giving you $75 off a kitchen faucet installation and $50 off a bathroom faucet installation when you purchase the faucet from our team for the month of July! Check out our coupon page here!
9 Reasons to Upgrade
1. It’s Old!
Did you know that you’re supposed to replace your faucet every 15-20 years?
2. Save Water and Money
If you have a leaky faucet, your money will literally be going down the drain. Faucets that constantly leak can make your utility bill increase by over 10% each month. This adds up to 10,000 gallons of water being wasted each year. 10,000 gallons of water annually is about 180 showers! In terms of money per month, it’s about $20, which can add up quickly. Don’t turn your head from your leaky faucet, call Pride Plumbing at 585-271-7150 to save water and money.
3. Leaky Faucet
We just touched on the monetary and energy expenses that happen when your faucet is continually leaking... you don’t want to have to deal with that! A leaking faucet will also cause a variety of problems, such as rust and mineral deposits. When your faucet is leaking, it’s usually because your water pressure is too high or you have a broken valve. This does not only cause problems you can see, but it stresses your entire plumbing system that happens behind the scenes. Either way, if your faucet is leaking, don’t wait! Call your local plumbers, Pride Plumbing, right away! You don’t want your faucet to create more problems in the future.
4. Rust
If your faucet handles stick or crack when you move them, this could be a sign of internal rusting and corrosion. Before you can physically see the rust, it builds up from the inside to the outside. When you leave your rusty faucet alone, it becomes less effective and prone to leaking.
5. Mineral Deposits
Do you see build-up on your faucet that looks like toothpaste? That means you have mineral deposits. Rochester NY and the surrounding areas in Monroe County have moderately hard water. This can create issues for some residents and cause their faucets to produce mineral deposits.
6. Mold
If you left your faucet leaking, don’t be surprised if it starts growing mold! When this happens, it can destroy the look and design of your faucet and make it less than desirable to look at.
7. Scratches and Cracks
Having scratches and cracks on your faucet or countertop around your sink can be frustrating to look at. If you’re tired of looking at your chipped faucet, call your local plumbers, Pride Plumbing of Rochester to help you out!
8. Loose or Squeaky Handles
This could mean a variety of problems. If you turn your faucet and the handles are loose or squeaky, the issue could be internal or external. Your plumbing contractors at Pride Plumbing of Rochester would be more than happy to come and take a look at what the problem is!
9. Noisy or Irregular Water Discharge
This is definitely another reason to get your faucet checked out! When they are functioning properly, there should be a steady flow of water. Noise and irregular discharge are not normal! It can also be incredibly irritating because water gets everywhere.
Now that we know the reasons you should upgrade your faucet, let’s get into whether it needs a repair or a total faucet replacement.
Repair or Replace?
It’s Old!
We know that faucets are only supposed to last about 15-20 years, but the brand, model, and type has an impact on the lifespan.
Single handle faucets last about 12-20 years.
Spread fit faucets last anywhere from 15-20 years.
Wall mounted faucets generally last 10-15 years.
Bridge faucets can last 15-20 years.
Center set faucets or dual handle faucets last 15-20 years.
Once they get into their old age, it definitely calls for a replacement rather than a repair!
2. Save Water and Money
If you need to do repair after repair for your faucet, it’s generally a good idea to just replace it, as it will save you money in the long run. One rule of thumb is if your faucet repairs are over 30% of the cost of a full replacement, we say just go for the replacement! Another way to save money in the long run is to upgrade and replace your old faucet to a more efficient model. Older faucets run anywhere from 3-5 gallons per minute. Modern faucets don’t run any more than 2.5 gallons per minute.
3. Leaky Faucet
If it’s a first time leak, a component of your kitchen or bathroom plumbing might need to be tightened or replaced, such as the cartridge. However, if it is constantly leaking after several repairs, it’s time for a faucet replacement. Doing so will save you from having multiple plumbing related headaches!
4. Rust
Unfortunately, once your faucet starts breaking down and becoming rusty, there’s not much that can be done except to replace it.
5. Mineral Deposits
We know that mineral deposits look like dried toothpaste, but they usually build up inside your faucet as well. It affects the gasket, filters, and flanges, which can cause your faucet to perform below average. Even though you might be dealing with hard water and are tired of seeing dried white residue, the local plumbers at Pride Plumbing of Rochester can help! You might need a repair, or we could install a water softener so the visible mineral deposits disappear! If your faucet is past the point of no return, it may need a replacement. Our plumbers would have to come to your home to take a look to see what the main issue is and give you the options to get it fixed!
6. Mold
If there is visible mold on your faucet, there’s generally no repairs that could fix it. Mold will destroy your design and make your faucet very unpleasant to look at.
7. Scratches and Cracks
When scratches and cracks arise, there’s not much to do to repair it. No matter how many times you try to clean it, they are there to stay. There may be nothing wrong with your faucet itself, but if the surface or counter is damaged, the faucet might still need to be replaced. Some materials, such as ceramic, ages more poorly than others and are prone to scratches and cracks.
8. Loose or Squeaky Handles
If you have loose handles, it’s a toss up! You may only need a repair. If your loose handles are causing your faucet to leak and repairs haven’t done the trick, that means it’s time for a replacement. When you have squeaky handles, it usually means you can remove the appropriate parts to grease them to stop the squeaking. However, there can always be more than meets the eye. A repair may only temporarily fix the problem. Our licensed professional plumbers will give you various options and tell you the price before starting any of the work so you can make an informed decision.
9. Noisy or Irregular Water Discharge
When there’s irregular water discharge, it’s usually due to a faulty aerator or diverter valve. Replacing these parts should make your faucet work again! If your faucet has a loud sputtering sound, it’s most likely either the hardened rubber washer or there may be internal damage.
Although this is generally the rule of thumb for repairs and replacement, it’s not the end all be all. As you know, if you have a damaged sink or counter surface, usually the faucet will have to be replaced as well. However, there are times when it could just need a simple repair! On the other hand, squeaky handles usually only need repairs, but depending on the damage our licensed plumbers find, the faucet may need to be replaced. If you want Pride Plumbing Services Inc. to come out to diagnose your problem, give us a call!
Do you need a faucet replacement but want to replace it with the same brand and model? There’s a few ways for you to find this information!
Look at the spout and handles to find the logo. You may need to clean off your faucet to find it. Some logos are small… using a flashlight could help locate it!
The components under the sink might have clues as well! It will definitely help to use a flashlight here!
If you can’t find the logo, there may be a model number hiding somewhere on your faucet. Look in all of the same places as before and also check behind the spout and on the metal plate around the base, called an escutcheon.
Do you still have your user manual? If so, take a look at it! Sometimes we forget that we have manuals floating around the house that can help us find the information we need.
If you don’t want to take the time to search for the make and model, (we don’t blame you, sometimes it can be a hassle!) our plumbers at Pride Plumbing can come out to determine the brand and model as well as the presenting problem.
Conclusion
Deciding between a faucet repair and a faucet replacement can be tricky. Don’t stress about it! Pride Plumbing of Rochester can help you with all of your plumbing needs.
Here are two reviews regarding faucet replacement jobs:
“Another great experience with Pride Plumbing - we've been doing business with Pride for many years! Ed & Dan arrived on time (as promised), and quickly diagnosed our kitchen faucet problem. With their help, we decided it was more cost effective to replace it with a new Delta faucet. They were efficient, neat, professional, and patient. They finished within an hour, and our new faucet looks and works great! We always call on Pride for all our plumbing needs. Thanks, Ed & Dan!” - Roberta, Brighton
“Devinn replaced a faucet in our attic room. He was very polite, friendly, and professional. He assessed the problem and came up with several options for us to choose from. He quickly installed a new faucet. I would use him again.” - Thomas, Brighton
We even have emergency plumbing service. If your faucet starts leaking or spurting water, we are the local plumbers for you. Call Pride Plumbing for plumbing services at 585-271-7150 or go online to fill out our online form. We look forward to alleviating your faucet issues while giving you the upgrade of your dreams!
