Your kitchen faucet is one of the hardest working appliances in your home. If it isn’t working properly, it can throw things out of whack. Dishes pile up. Hands go dirty. But how long do kitchen faucets last and when should you replace yours?
Unfortunately, like all other fixtures, kitchen faucets eventually wear out. When you see signs that your old kitchen faucet isn’t working right, it’s time to call in the pros to install a shiny new one. Is it time for yours to go? Here’s what to look for:
1. Mineral Buildup on Faucet
Mineral deposits can build up inside your faucet, causing it to perform less than optimally. These stains can look like old toothpaste both around the base and inside the spigot.
If you have hard water coming into your home, buildup is unavoidable in your faucets and other appliances. They can affect appearances as well as the inner workings of the faucet, like the gasket, filters, and flanges. To remove scaly mineral crust, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure it around the fixture with rubber bands. Soak overnight.
Having a water softener installed can keep these deposits from occurring in the first place. However, once they’re significantly visible, it’s likely time to get your faucet replaced.
2. You Have an Old Faucet
The lifespan of your faucet can depend on its make and model. Finding out the specific type of faucet you have can be difficult, but there are ways of figuring it out. For example, Moen frequently prints model numbers on the back or underside of the spout. If you know the model of your faucet, you may be able to order replacement cartridges and other parts to keep it running.
If you can’t figure out your faucet’s lifespan, you should generally replace any faucet that’s over 15 years old.
3. Rust on Faucet
Does your faucet handle stick or crack when you try to move it? Does it take a few seconds for water to come out when you turn it on? These are signs of internal rusting and corrosion. Once your faucet starts breaking down, there isn’t much you can do to fix it.
Rust builds up internally before it becomes visible. The most common external places to find it will be around the base and spigot. If rust and corrosion are ignored, your faucet will only become more leak prone as time goes on.
4. Faucet Leaking
Sometimes, it’s possible to fix a leaky faucet by replacing the cartridge inside the handle assembly. Sometimes, however, that won’t be enough. If your kitchen faucet keeps leaking after you’ve attempted to fix it, it’s time to replace it.
It’s not worth wasting money trying to fix a leak when it’s more cost effective to get a replacement kitchen faucet that will serve you for years to come. Not only is a leaky faucet annoying, it could also lead to mold growth. Often, replacing a kitchen faucet altogether will end up saving you more money than a temporary repair.
5. Poor Water Pressure
An old faucet with corrosion, rust and leaky components won’t deliver a strong steady stream of water like a new faucet will. If you’re experiencing water pressure problems that are unique to your kitchen, a new faucet is likely the fix. A professional plumber can diagnose the issue.
We Replace Kitchen Faucets
Replacing a faucet in your kitchen improves your quality of life and your home’s value. All you need to do is call the professionals at Ben Franklin Plumbing. They’ll help you choose the best faucet option for your home and install it for you quickly and efficiently. If you live in the Dallas, Plano, McKinney area, we look forward to helping you soon!