Signs it might be time to upgrade your bathroom fixtures
Bathroom fixtures see an extended amount of use day-to-day, and the wear and tear from regular usage will eventually catch up to even a top-of-the-line installation. Minor maintenance can continually extend the lifespan of bath and tub faucets, but at a certain point, it’s time to throw in the towel and invest in new fixtures. But when is that right time? As you take stock of the state of your bathroom fixtures and faucets, keep an eye out for these telling signs that it’s time to upgrade to new bathroom fixtures.
Leaks and Water Issues
Persistent drips, leaks, and puddles that cannot be fixed are signs a bathroom faucet has run its course. If there are noticeable clogging issues and regular instances where draining is slow, these are also tell-tale signs that there are major issues in a drain that needs to be headed. If you’ve had a professional look at your system, and they cannot find a solution that clears the drain, or if there are still areas that just can’t seem to stay sealed, replacing the whole faucet or drain fixture will end up saving you money in the long run.
Drops in Water Quality
If there is a pungent smell coming from the water, color changes, or rusty build-up on the faucets, it’s definitely time to start searching for a good bathroom faucet replacement. Rust, in particular, is a fixture killer, as it can quickly spread, and is persistent. A foul smell from the water can be a sign of deeper issues as well, and one best checked out — if you start noticing smells and color changes, contact a professional to diagnose the root cause of the issue.
The Dreaded “M” Word
One word no one wants to find in or around their tub, sink, shower, or toilet is “mold”. Areas with mold growth can be cleaned and disinfected, but if there is persistent mold growth, there is likely a hidden leak somewhere. If caught early-on, smaller leaks can be repaired, but the longer they go on dripping and leaking, the harder they become to diagnose and repair, and if the faucet or fixture is older, it is usually in the homeowner’s best interest to replace the culprit with a new bath fixture rather than repair.
Signs of the Time
While not the most important reasoning, but still important nonetheless, designs and styles become outdated. Generally speaking, bath and tub faucets have a lifespan of about 10 years. In this span, design choices and style radically change, and more than likely, a homeowner will go through at least one major round of décor renovations during that timeframe. If the older faucets and fixtures aren’t keeping up with the newer design aesthetics, then it’s likely time to ditch them for a more unique bath and shower fixture that fits the current mood.
Time marches ever onward, and change is the only constant. Keeping up on general maintenance, and scheduling regular inspections are the two key ways to keep any bathroom faucet, sink, or fixture in the best shape they can possibly be. But, in the end, everything eventually runs its course and will need to be updated. If you’ve started to notice issues with any of your faucets or fixtures, have a new fixture you’d like assistance installing, or if you have general questions about the state of your plumbing, seek out the professionals at Duane Blanton Plumbing. Available via phone at (815) 781-2567, or online through their scheduling portal, the expert team at Duane Blanton is happy to help you with all plumbing inquiries and requests.
