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Posted on February 13, 2015 by

Faucet and Sink Fixture: When Is It Necessary to Replace my Faucet

 

Arlington PlumberSinks and faucets come in a variety of styles for different purposes. They can update the look of a room in a dramatic or subtle way.
However, repair and replacement may be necessary as the fixture ages. Faucet and sink repairs are a common repair in plumbing.
When is it Necessary to Replace my Faucet?
A faucet should provide adequate pressure and have a watertight connection to all supply lines. Water pressure is usually regulated by a cartridge insert and an aerator.
Leaks and improper pressure regulation occur when the gaskets that hold these parts in fail. There are also a few other signs to be aware of:

  • Leaking and dripping from the faucet

Leaks are the most common repairs found in today’s sinks and faucets. The homeowner should determine what type of faucet it is before a repair is made. Most compression and ball style faucets have rubber seals that fail over time to cause leaks. The ceramic disk style faucets don’t use a gasket as frequently. However, they still require repairs from time to time by replacing the O-ring.

  • Poor water pressure

The lack of water pressure is a common problem in older faucets that lack proper aeration. Water is mixed with oxygen to produce proper flow. This compression ratio can be unbalanced if the faucet lacks a properly working cartridge or aeration.

  • Poor control of hot and cold settings

Faucets regulate the temperature from single and double handles. A ball bearing or thermostatic cartridge controls the amount of water coming from your hot and cold supply lines.
Sometimes these parts fail over time and hard water can be a contributing factor. We recommend having a technician inspect both the faucet and the source of water from the supply line to determine if parts need to be replaced up to the faucet.
What Are Some Signs of Damage?
Faucet damage can be detected early. Some early signs include rust stains underneath the tap or along the side of the faucet. Small amounts of water may be escaping loose gasket fittings.
To determine the source, a technician may be able to recommend the proper part replacement. Other early signs of damage include irregular temperature that requires delicate hand movements on the faucet.
Arlington Faucet and Sink FixtureHow Can I Avoid my Faucet from Being Broken in the Future?
A properly working faucet starts from the water that enters the house. Hard water is a cause for many problems in the home plumbing system. A water softener will prevent hard scale and lime buildup inside the faucet housing.
Proper installation is also critical. This usually requires proper caulking and installation of gasket fittings depending on the type. Consider contacting your plumber or technician for complex faucet installation in the home to avoid future repairs.

Having the proper faucet and sink fixture is vital for your Arlington home. If this needs repairing, Call The Plumbing Dr. at (703) 525-9280, we have the best pair of experts to get the job done.