Modern bathroom and kitchen faucets are integral to their design, providing functionalities such as water purification and aesthetic elements. Yet even high-quality models may eventually start leaking over time, mixing water incorrectly, or failing altogether. Here are a few tips on how you can extend their life and avoid costly repairs.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
After every use, wipe down the faucet’s surface using a soft cloth to remove water droplets and detergent residue. This will help reduce and prevent limescale buildup and ensure maximum longevity from its components. Due to the high concentration of minerals in the water, faucets often accumulate limescale, so regular maintenance uses a vinegar solution (1:1 with water) or special faucet cleaners with no harsh chemicals that could potentially damage their surfaces.
Controlling Water Pressure: Unstable water pressure levels can hasten the wear and tear on faucet components, leading to leaks and poor performance. Installing a pressure reducer that maintains optimal pressure is advised to extend the service life and protect all plumbing fixtures. Superior Plumbing and Heating offers expert assistance for maintaining and repairing faucets of any complexity. Their experienced technicians quickly and efficiently address leakage problems, replace cartridges or gaskets as necessary or completely refurbish if it has failed. Besides providing one-time services, Superior Plumbing and Heating offers regular maintenance agreements to prevent future malfunctions – with quality guarantees at transparent prices! When you contact them, you are assured of high-quality professional assistance with a quality guarantee in place and transparent pricing structures.
Periodic cleaning of an Aerator. An aerator is a small filter attached to the faucet spout that ensures uniform water flow while protecting from splashes. To keep the aerator from becoming dirty and clogged with sediment buildup, regularly remove it and flush it with warm water for maintenance and inspection purposes. When cleaning the faucet’s finish, use only soft cloths or gentle products, such as soft sponges. Hard sponges or powders could potentially scratch it and ruin its finish—always choose soft products instead! According to Wikipedia, a faucet aerator prevents splashing, shapes the water stream into a straight and evenly pressured flow, and helps conserve water while reducing energy costs.
Timely repairs and replacement of worn components
Ceramic cartridges and gaskets. One primary source of faucet breakdowns is wear-and-tear of ceramic cartridges and rubber gaskets, whose main functions include smooth water flow/mixing/composition and leak prevention. If your faucet has started running unevenly or dripping uncontrollably, replacing either the cartridge or gasket may be the answer—either DIY it yourself or call in professional help if required.
Faulty lever. Over time, faucet levers can become loose, making it more difficult to adjust temperature or pressure settings. This issue typically stems from wear-and-tear damage on cartridges or nuts holding down levers; if repairs aren’t addressed quickly, this may result in further breakdown.
Avoid corrosion. Metal faucets often corrode in environments with high humidity. If rust stains appear on your faucet, lemon juice or vinegar may help remove them; however, if corrosion has penetrated further, parts will have to be replaced.
When to Contact Professional Plumbers?
Breakdown of ceramic cartridges. Although replacing a cartridge is usually straightforward, more complex faucet models might have non-standard cartridge designs requiring professional assistance.
Complete wear and tear of the faucet. If your current faucet has been in service for more than 10 years and has started malfunctioning, upgrading with a new model may be best. A plumber can help you select and install one appropriate for your water supply system.
Preventive Maintenance Even with proper care, having your faucet professionally serviced occasionally is still wise. Have your plumber inspect water pressure, connections and internal components. Regular inspections can detect minor malfunctions early and help ward off more serious ones.
Your faucet is an integral component of your home, and with proper care, you can extend its lifespan and avoid expensive repairs. To maximize the lifespan of your faucet, it is crucial that it is regularly maintained. Monitoring water pressure is also key, and replacing worn parts as soon as they wear out is the most cost-effective approach. Although simple care and preventive maintenance will often work to protect against problems, if more complex malfunctions arise, then professional assistance should always be sought from Superior Plumbing & Heating as they offer reliable advice in all matters related to faucets, guaranteeing professional solutions and quality results.