Bathroom faucets are the plumbing fixtures that are installed over the sink, bathtub, and shower area.
How Long Do Bathroom Faucets Last? Bathroom faucets can last for approximately 10-17 years, depending on the quality of the material, installation, and usage. Leakage, mineral buildup and rust, faucet material, and the efficiency of the components affect its durability. You can make them last longer through proper installation, maintenance, sealing the leakage, and correct usage.
They also add a pleasing look to the vanity sink. In addition, they are available in different styles and colors to enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom.
How long can the bathroom faucets last?
They can last approximately 10 to 17 years, depending on the type, material, and usage of these fixtures. However, they can last more than this time if you maintain them regularly.
A good-quality faucet can last more than 20 years because it can perform better under different conditions, as the chances of repairing or replacing it are less than a low-quality faucet.
It is better to invest more money in a high-quality fixture that is resistant to rust, mold, and extreme water temperature running through it instead of spending money after every few months on the repair.
In addition, the fixture components can cost more if you replace them, as they can range from $50-$200, including the plumber’s fees.
Shower and bathtub faucets have different capabilities and use different manufacturers, such as plumbing and design.
Therefore, their durability depends on the usage and type of material used in the manufacturing.
How can you make bathroom faucets last longer?
Perfect installation, maintenance, and careful usage can increase the longevity of the faucets. You can make them last longer by wiping the water on it and around the handle with a dry cloth because moisture will cause mold to develop around it.
The components can get damaged and cause rust and corrosion if you use toxic chemicals to clean them; therefore, it is better to use enzyme cleaners to avoid any damage to the fixture.
It is better to push or turn the handle slightly because more pressure on the handles can cause them to get loose, and you have to change or repair them.
The kids in the house can push them hard and find it fun to turn them on and off continuously, which can also cause them to get damaged. You can tell the kids to use it nicely without applying pressure on the handle.
The improper installation can cause leakage; therefore, it is better to install it properly or consult a plumber to help you with this task.
You can do it yourself if the problem is not severe, as it needs some skills and tools to do this job.
Seal the leakage around the fixture because it not only affects the lifespan of the faucet but also causes damage to the vanity items.
In addition, you can use a soft water system in the bathroom to avoid mineral buildup and rust in the plumbing fixtures.
What factors affect the durability of bathroom faucets?
Different factors affect the durability of the fixtures and can cause damage and poor performance.
Leakage
The malfunctioning of a faucet can be due to the leakage in any component, which can affect its durability if you do not fix the problem as soon as you spot it.
For example, a worn-out cartridge can cause leakage because it controls the flow of water, and repairing or replacing it can fix the leakage.
The water dripping for a long time can cause mold to develop around the sink drain, which is a serious problem in the faucet. The leakage can be in different parts of the fixture, and it may be due to low-quality sealing.
The leakage in the plumbing line can also cause the fixture to be damaged soon because it takes more time to spot the problem in the plumbing system.
Mineral buildup and rust
Most bathrooms have hard water running through the faucets and plumbing system, which can cause calcium, limescale, and other minerals to build up.
In addition, it can affect the lifespan of the plumbing fixture because it blocks the water flow and causes mildew and bacteria in the faucets.
Low-quality material can also cause rust and corrosion on the metal pipes inside the fixture, and you often observe rust-colored water coming out of it. It shows that the metal pipes and components have some problems.
The material of the faucet
They are made of different materials, such as brass, zinc, stainless steel, plastic, and other materials.
The quality of the material used in manufacturing significantly affects durability. High-quality material performs well and does not cause leakage, corrosion, and mildew.
Some materials are corrosion-resistant and can survive in different conditions for a long time, such as zinc and brass.
Still, some are more attractive to mold development and less durable than zinc and brass, such as plastic fixtures.
Inefficiency of components
The components of the fixture have a significant contribution to the durability, as the broken handle or the cracks in the pipes cause difficulty in turning it on and off and the noise, which causes the fixture to perform poorly, and you may need to replace it.
The inefficient components are due to the low-quality material and manufacturing defaults, so select a popular brand fixture for long-term use in the bathroom.
In addition, the water pressure from the faucets can be low and stuck after regular intervals, which is also because of the inefficiency of the components.
What are the types of bathroom faucets?
Different types of faucets are used in the bathrooms, and you can select any one according to the interior, location, and bank balance because they range from $100-$450, depending on the quality of the material used.
Wall-mounted faucets come in various designs and are usually mounted over the floating vanity sinks, pedestal sinks, and in the shower area.
They do not require much space and can easily be installed over a small sink area. However, it is better to consider the plumbing system before installing them in the bathroom.
Bridge faucets are made of zinc, brass, stainless steel, and other metals and have a bridge-like shape, which is usually installed over the deep sinks.
They are easy to install and have better durability than other faucets, but they are expensive because of the high-quality material used in manufacturing.
Center set are the most common and popular type of plumbing fixture used in the house because they take less time to install and are easy to clean and maintain.
They use different metals and plastic in their formation and use two knobs for hot and cold water.
Spread fit looks stylish and modern and good option if you have more space around the vanity sink because they use three joints that stick on the top of the vanity area where you want to install the faucet.
They are made of stainless steel, brass, plastic, and other metals and use two knobs for different water temperatures.
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