Faucets are not immune to plumbing problems. Over time, their parts wear out, get corroded or accumulate sediments. These situations lead to different kinds of issues such as leaking, low water flow, water temperature problems, noise or even the incapability to make water flow out. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to repair or replace these fixtures. Here are some tips you should consider:
1. Faucets are specially designed to last 10 years or maybe even more depending on how you use and take care of it.
2. It is made up of internal parts including the O-ring, washers, clips, screws and the valve assembly. When these parts wear out, they can be replaced to put the fixture back in working condition.
3. Aside from internal parts, the faucet’s outer coating or finish may also get cracked or discolored over time. Though such a situation won’t affect its functionality, it is an issue for some homeowners who are keen about maintaining the overall appeal of their bathrooms.
4. Leaks are among the most common problems you’ll ever experience with your faucets. Though your bathroom or kitchen won’t get terribly flooded because of the dripping, you’ll realize that you’ll have to pay more for water consumption. To fix this problem, replace the washers and also tighten the connection.
5. If, on the other hand, you’re experiencing low water flow, chances are, your faucet’s diverter is problematic. It may not be letting enough water pass through the stem because of sediment build-up. Simply remove the handle; pop the faucet diverter out and then soak the part in a mixture of boiling hot water and vinegar. The ratio of the two ingredients should be 1 is to 1. Once done, re-install the faucet and you’ll see that the problem has been resolved.
6. There are also times when the faucet just spits instead of letting water flow out smoothly. In this case, you might want to check the faucet’s aerator. If you’re living in an area where you have hard water, the minerals and sediments often build up in this part of the tap. Because of these things, the aerator ends up clogged. Remove the aerator and flush all the mineral deposits. Otherwise, you can just replace it.
7. If you have a faucet that screeches every time that you turn it on, it means that its rubber washers may have hardened already. A simple replacement of the washers will solve the problem and get rid of the sound. Just make sure that you’ll use the right size and type of washers.
8. A screeching faucet indicates damaged or worn out stem threads. Just remove the faucet’s handle and then afterwards, coat the fixture’s threads with plumber’s grease. Doing so will silence it again.
9. Clanking sounds often come from pipes but if you’re sure that you faucet is also making the same reverberations; you just have to take it apart and then look for cracks. If the faucet is already damaged, you need to replace it immediately to prevent severe issues in the future.
We hope that you learned tips on faucet replacement and repair from our blog today. If you’ve done all you can and the problem persists, just call a reliable Miami plumber to replace your faucet. Douglas Orr Plumbing delivers plumbing services in all of South Florida including leak detection, kitchen remodeling, outdoor kitchen remodeling, plumbing repairs, water heater service and many more!
Call us at (305) 240-6731 to schedule a service!
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