You use your kitchen faucet every single day. Whether you’re busy preparing a meal or washing up afterward, the chances are your faucet plays an important role in the functioning of your kitchen. When your faucet isn’t working the way it should, however, you’ll feel the dysfunction. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time to replace your kitchen faucet, then keep reading!
Faucets do not last forever and need to be replaced eventually. Over time, your faucet’s components will become worn, such as the valve or washer. This can lead to a leak developing, which can cause mold to form on your faucet. Strange noises, irregular water pressure, and the buildup of rust are also indicators that your kitchen faucet needs to be replaced.
In this article, we’ll break down the importance of having a working kitchen faucet before looking at the eight signs it’s time to replace your kitchen faucet. If you discover it’s time to replace that faucet, we’ll explain everything you need to know about finding the perfect replacement. Let’s take a look!
The Importance of a Working Kitchen Faucet
Your kitchen faucet is one of the most important fixtures in your kitchen. After all, you use your kitchen faucet on a daily basis – whether you’re washing your dishes, rinsing your groceries, or simply just getting a glass of water to drink. Having a faucet that isn’t working properly can severely interrupt the flow of your day!
When it comes down to kitchen faucets, there are many different types available today. The number of components your faucet utilizes will depend on the specific type of faucet you have installed in your kitchen. Over time, certain components in your faucet can become damaged.
Damaged components within your kitchen faucet can impact the overall performance of your faucet. From constant drips and leaks to squeaks and screeches, there are many issues that can stem from faulty faucet components.
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This is due to general wear and tear. After all, faucets aren’t designed to last forever. As a general rule of thumb, the older your faucet, the less effective it will be. This can lead to other issues, from wasting water to spending unnecessary money on your water bill.
To prevent yourself from wasting unnecessary money due to a faulty faucet, it’s important to determine whether or not your faucet needs to be replaced. There are many signs to look out for that will indicate that it’s time for that replacement faucet – and we’ll break them all down for you.
When Do You Replace a Kitchen Faucet?
If you’re wondering whether or not you need to replace your kitchen faucet, then look no further. Keep reading as we break down the eight signs that it’s time to finally replace that faulty kitchen faucet. Let’s get started!
#1: Your Faucet is Leaking
If you’ve noticed your kitchen faucet leaking, it’s likely time to get it replaced. The longer you put this off, the more damage the leak can cause. Leaks are known to damage everything from wood to concrete walls. Even if it doesn’t result in further damage, a leaking faucet can run up your water bill.
Sometimes you may not even notice a kitchen faucet’s leak immediately. If you’ve noticed the growth of mold around or near your faucet, it could be indicating that there’s a leak. If you notice a leak or the formation of mold, it’s time to call the handyman for an inspection!
#2: Your Faucet Has Damaged or Faulty Parts
Your faucet is comprised of many different parts. Over time, these parts will experience general wear and tear. Often when these components begin showing signs of their age, they’ll begin to break down. For example, you might notice that your kitchen faucet’s handle no longer works as well as it once did.
When you start noticing signs of damaged faucet components, it’s typically a sign that you’ll need to get a replacement. When home renovations are done, faucets are often one of the last considerations. However, it’s important to ensure your faucet’s components are up-to-date and working properly.
#3: Your valve is Not Working Properly
This point is connected to the previous point but deserves its own spot on this list. When it comes down to your faucet, the valve is one of the most crucial components. Your faucet’s valve is responsible for the water-tight seal within your faucet and is used to regulate both the temperature and flow of water through the faucet.
Over time, your valve may keep dripping water even after you’ve closed the tap. This is a sign that your valve has been worn out and needs to be replaced. Later in this article, we’ll look at the perfect valve for a long-lasting kitchen faucet!
#4: You’ve Noticed Unusual Water Pressure
If you’ve noticed unusual or irregular water pressure coming from your kitchen faucet, it could be a sign that it’s time to get it replaced. Irregular water pressure could, of course, be caused by clogged pipes or a lack of water supply. However, that faulty faucet could also be to blame!
If you notice abnormal water pressure coming from your kitchen faucet, you should test other faucets in your home. This is an easy way to determine whether or not it could be your faucet. If you notice only your kitchen sink has low water pressure, the faucet is likely the culprit you’re looking for.
#5: Your Faucet Has Rusted or Corroded
If you’ve noticed the formation of rust on your kitchen faucet, it’s a clear sign that it’s time for that replacement faucet. Rusting usually occurs with older faucets and is an indicator that your kitchen faucet is no longer as effective as it once was.
Not only are rust and corrosion unsightly, but they could impact the taste and smell of the water that comes out of your faucet. Having rust contaminate your water can lead to various other problems, especially if you use it as drinking water. For your safety and peace of mind, it’s time to replace your faucet.
#6: Your Faucet Has Built-up Mineral Deposits
Like rust, the buildup of mineral deposits in your faucet can impact the performance of your faucet. If your home utilizes hard water, the buildup of these mineral deposits is difficult to avoid. Not only do these buildups impact the appearance of your faucet, but they can affect the interior mechanisms of your faucet.
If you’ve noticed this buildup, which often looks similar to old toothpaste, then it’s a sign your faucet needs to be replaced. To prevent these buildups with your replacement faucet, you will want to consider having a water softener installed.
#7: Your Faucet Makes Strange Noises
Another sign that your faucet needs to be replaced is when your faucet makes strange noises. Of course, there could be many different explanations for these noises. However, you’ll want to get a professional to come and find the cause of the noise.
A worn washer could result in a screeching sound, for example. If you hear noises that can be described as clanking, then it’s likely a sign your faucet needs to be replaced. However, you’ll need to take the faucet apart in order to inspect the components. This will allow you to determine the cause of the sounds and whether or not the faucet needs replacing.
#8: Quick Fixes No Longer Work
Oftentimes, your kitchen faucet can be repaired with some minor tweaking. For example, you may simply need to replace one small component, like a hardened washer, to repair your sink temporarily. However, these temporary repairs can add up and eventually stop working altogether.
When these minor repairs stop working or become more frequent, it’s time to simply replace your faucet. Ultimately, replacing your kitchen faucet will ensure that all the components are in working condition and that no other issues like leaks or mold develop.
Should You Reuse a Kitchen Faucet?
If you’ve determined that your kitchen faucet needs to be replaced using our list of signs to look for, you may be wondering about what comes next. From purchasing a replacement faucet to reusing an old faucet, there are different options you may be considering. However, can you reuse an old faucet?
As we discussed earlier in this article, kitchen faucets are made up of a number of parts. The exact number of parts, of course, depends on the type of kitchen faucet you have. In time, certain parts of your faucet may become worn, such as nuts and washers that secure your kitchen faucet to the basin.
Due to these internal parts, reusing an old kitchen faucet can be tricky. If you’re already experiencing the signs we outlined earlier in this article, then reusing an old kitchen faucet isn’t the best idea, simply because it’s not guaranteed to work.
You don’t want to spend time and energy installing a used kitchen faucet only to discover that it leaks as well. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of a faulty faucet we detailed above, then your safest solution would be to purchase a new faucet that’s sure to last you a long time.
If you’re unsure of where to begin finding a replacement faucet for your kitchen, then maybe we can be of service. When it comes down to replacing your faucet, there are certain criteria that should be kept in mind for the best replacement outcome.
Keep reading as we break down crucial tips that will help you to find the perfect replacement faucet for your kitchen,
Tips for Picking a Replacement Faucet for Your Kitchen
If you need to replace your kitchen faucet, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind. Keep reading as we break down five tips for replacing your kitchen faucet!
#1: Appearance is Just One Aspect
Given the importance of your kitchen faucet and the sheer number of times you use it on any given day, it’s natural that you’d want it to look nice. In fact, many homeowners pick their faucets based purely on their aesthetic looks. However, this can lead you into some trouble down the line!
There are many aspects to keep in mind when replacing your kitchen faucet. To avoid falling into the pit trap of choosing your faucets based on appearance, come back to this aspect at the end. First, compile your faucet shortlist of options that meet your other criteria – then pick the option that looks the best and meets your requirements.
#2: Finishes Make a Difference
As we discussed above, the appearance of your faucet is just one factor to consider. Another important factor to keep in mind is the finish you decide on for your faucet. From chrome finishes to nickel finishes and bronze finishes, there are many options for you to choose from.
As a rule of thumb, you should strive to match the finish of your faucet to the interior of your kitchen. Take a look around your kitchen – at the towel bars, your cabinets, your overall color scheme – and pick the finish that best matches this. This helps create a cohesive visual style in your kitchen!
#3: Your Best Bet is Ceramic Valves
When it comes down to faucet valves, there are many valves for you to pick from. In fact, most of the options available on the market today will remain leak-free for years. However, if you want to ensure the longevity of your faucet’s valves, ceramic valves are the way to go.
Ceramic valves can be more costly than other types of faucet valves, however, they could last you twice as long as other valves. Your faucet’s valve will be leak-proof with a long lifespan when you upgrade to ceramic valves.
#4: Keep the Number of Faucet Holes in Mind
Many sinks have holes that are drilled or punched into them to accommodate the relevant faucet and plumbing system. For this reason, it’s crucial that you keep the pre-existing specifications of your sink in mind when shopping for a new kitchen faucet to simply replace a damaged one.
Different types of faucets will require a different number of holes in the sink. For those inclined towards minimalism in their kitchen, the single-hole faucet may be the way to go. If you’re looking for the whole shebang, a two-handle faucet (that requires three basin holes) may be the way to go.
#5: Don’t Overspend, But Don’t Underspend Either
If you’re currently in a position where you need to replace your kitchen faucet unexpectedly, you’re likely not looking to spend too much money on the replacement. As a general rule of thumb, to replace a kitchen faucet, you’re looking at a starting price of $100.
You don’t want to spend too little on your new faucet and buy one that will be leaking within a year. You also don’t want to get the fanciest faucet with too many features. Ultimately, you want to find the faucet that meets your criteria and won’t break the bank!
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the signs and symptoms to look out for when it’s time to replace your kitchen faucet. From strange sounds to the buildup of rust and mineral deposits, there are many signs to look out for. If you discovered you need to replace your faulty faucet, we broke down crucial tips to help you find the perfect replacement for your kitchen’s faucet.