Plumbing services take up your time and can cost a great deal of money, which is why it’s important to first determine whether your faucets are damaged or not. If your faucets are damaged, you should call a licensed plumber as soon as possible. If you’re struggling with your faucets, the problem might not have anything to do with your faucet, as your home’s plumbing is complicated. If you think your faucet is damaged, however, here are a few warning signs to watch out for.

How to Know if Your Faucet is Damaged

• Dripping faucet. A leaky faucet can be a common plumbing problem, but if you notice your faucet is constantly dripping, then you have a damaged faucet. Constant dripping is usually caused by high water pressure or a broken valve.
• Spitting faucet. Faucets that function normally, should release a consistent stream of water, but if your faucet has an irregular water flow, there could be some damages. A spitting faucet is usually caused by some sort of internal damage done to the faucet.
• Squeaking faucet. If your faucet’s handle squeaks when you turn the water on, there could be damages that need urgent repair. Sometimes a squeaky faucet needs a little grease applied, if that doesn’t work, however, then it’s time to call a plumber.

When It’s Time to Repair Your Faucet

• The type of faucet. There are several different types of faucets, and some faucets have more parts than others. Faucets, such as ball faucets, have several different parts that can be susceptible to damage.
• Frequent dripping A leaking faucet can usually be fixed with a repair than an entire replacement. Most leaky faucets are fixed by simply removing the handle and tightening the adjusting ring. A leaky faucet can also be resolved by replacing the O-rings on the cartridge when they’ve worn out. If any internal parts are too worn out, however, then it’s time for a replacement.
• Squeaky faucet. Usually, a squeaky faucet doesn’t warrant a replacement, but a simple repair. Removing the appropriate parts to grease them usually solves the problem.

When It’s Time to Replace Your Faucet

Faucets aren’t built to last forever, and your faucets will break down from use over time. The older the faucet, the less likely it can run efficiently which can result in expensive water bills. If your home runs on hard water, that can cut down on your plumbing’s lifespan drastically. Replacing your entire faucet, however, can be costly, which is why it’s important to determine when your faucet needs a replacement. Here are a few warning signs to watch out for.

• Age. A good rule of thumb for replacing any appliance is by its age. Faucets are generally built to last for 15-20 years. If your faucet is nearing the end of its lifespan, it might be time to consider a replacement.
• Frequent issues. One of the most common signs that it’s time to replace your faucet is when it needs constant repairs to function. A few repairs here and there are usually always cheaper than a full replacement, but if the repairs start to add up, you might as well save your money and replace it.
• Efficiency Older faucets can waste a lot of water, running anywhere from 3-5 gallons per minute. If you’re trying to cut down on utility costs, modern faucets run much more efficiently.
• Damages. There may be nothing wrong with your faucet, but if your sink or counter surface is damaged, your faucet may need to be replaced as well. Some materials, such as ceramic, ages poorly, and can result in cracks and scratches.

If you need faucet repair in your Levittown kitchen or bathroom, call McHales today! 

By Michelle Fadeley