Faucets have become an essential part of your modern kitchen and they are one of the most long-lasting commodities in a household.
You use your kitchen faucet countless times daily and for a variety of tasks such as cleaning dishes, filling pots, washing vegetables and they work fine for many years.
But that does not mean they are everlasting. So in this article, we are going to discuss “can a kitchen faucet go bad”. There are many reasons that a faucet can go bad. So let’s find out
Do Kitchen Faucets Go Bad?
So the answer is yes, kitchen faucets can go bad. The main reasons your faucet will stop working include mineral deposits, rust, mold growth, leaks, blockages, build-up, and clogged lines might be a reason for premature faucet misbehavior.
Similarly, lack of maintenance and time can be the root cause. As your faucet gets old it needs maintenance, if you don’t give proper maintenance on time then your faucet can go bad.
What Would Cause A Kitchen Faucet To Stop Working?
A kitchen faucet can stop working due to following factors:-
Mineral Deposits
Mineral or sedimentary deposits can be a reason for the faucet to stop working. Actually, the mineral deposits build up around or within the fittings and this will harm your faucet. Hard and unfiltered water is one of the most common explanations for build-up.
If you will not check it properly, the deposits will create an adverse effect on the inside parts of the faucet. These results in increased water bills, leaking, growth of mildew and ultimately it can break the fixture.
Rust
If the faucet is made of low-grade quality, water and moisture will quickly rust your faucet. This might ruin the interior and exterior of the faucet and your faucet will suddenly stop working. It is said that even normal use can accumulate rust.
Rust can also create a blockage which results in slow dripping down the faucet. If you can see the rust outside the faucet that means the internal parts of the faucet are already broken due to the growth of rust.
Aerator Blockage
Faucet aerators are small in size that is attached at the front of the sink spout. They basically break down the main water flow into smaller sections so the faucet doesn’t flow too much water.
Aerator blockage can be a reason why the faucet isn’t working anymore.
If you don’t see any leak from the faucet that means there is a blockage in the aerator. A blocked aerator can slow down the water pressure of the kitchen faucet. Aerators are generally clogged due to sediment build-ups such as limescale, debris, or oxidization.
If the aerator or pipe connected to the faucet is blocked, it will slow down the flow of water and after some days no water will come out and your faucet will stop working.
Jammed Diverter
A jammed diverter can also cause the faucet to stop working. A diverter is a valve that controls the direction of water flow. It redirects the water from the faucet spout to the faucet sprayer. Over time, debris can build up inside there and it can clog the diverter.
Frozen Pipes
If you are living in a subzero or clod area, frozen pipe is the reason why you are facing a lack of water from your faucet. A frozen pipe will not allow the water to pass through the faucet. But luckily unfreezing the pipe will solve the problem and your faucet will start working again.
How Long Does A Kitchen Faucet Last?
Generally, kitchen faucets last around 15 to 20 years.
A faucet lifespan depends upon the model of the faucet, quality of the water, frequency of use, how well you had maintained the faucet, and whether you had installed the faucet correctly can decide how long does a kitchen faucet last.
The lifespan mainly depends on how well the faucet is made and the quality of water. Proper and regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of a faucet.
In fact, nowadays faucets come with incorporate style and function, which usually means faucets are replaced well before replacement is needed.
Here are some tips which can increase the lifespan of a faucet. Firstly, when you are buying a faucet always go for a high-quality brand. You should remember that never leave cement or adhesive on the surface because it can damage the protective coatings.
Apart from that, you should regularly clean the faucet to prevent the buildup of debris and limescale. The best method for cleaning is to clean the faucet surface with a soft cotton cloth (wet the cloth a little bit, if necessary).
Don’t apply too much force when opening the tap. If you notice any leak around the faucet, repair it immediately.
Is It Difficult To Change A kitchen Faucet?
You can easily change your kitchen faucet with a few common tools. A new kitchen faucet could be an affordable and effective way of sprucing up the kitchen space.
Nowadays faucets are designed in such a way that changing or installing the fixture has become a user friendly task and a beginner can easily do it by just following the step-by-step process.
Remember that some time should be kept in your hand while changing or installing the kitchen faucet. Also, collect the necessary tools before starting the work.
The only thing you have to deal with is removing the old faucet. Some problems can pop up such as corroded pipes, difficult to reach nuts, and poor access to fittings.
Also, the nuts get corroded because you had never touched them before so it can be a bit trickier to remove. Otherwise installing a new kitchen faucet is not difficult.
You can find a lot of guides on the internet which can make the instruction easier. You can also take help from manufacturers as they have a technical department and customer care service that provide guidance and assistance.
If you feel hesitant to change a kitchen faucet, there is no need to be ashamed for calling a plumber who had a lot of experience and will do the job in lesser time.
How Do I Know If My Kitchen Faucet Needs To Be Replaced?
Most faucets and sinks function properly and effectively with minimum maintenance and cleaning. Usually, the most common and the biggest problem will be leaking, which generally happens with old components or fittings.
But you can easily change the internal parts to stop the leak and replacing such parts is affordable and the faucet will continue to work like a new one.
If you see any faulty parts in the faucet then replace them first before deciding to go for an entire faucet replacement. However, if it’s the end of the faucet lifespan or it is damaged then the time has come to replace the faucet.
The basic rule for buying a new faucet is that if the repair cost is more than 30% of the cost of full replacement, it is better to put money into the new faucet and recycle the old one.
Here we had mentioned a list of points that indicates when you need to replace your kitchen faucet.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Kitchen Faucet
- Continuous leaking will result in mold and mildew growth.
- If the faucet structure is damaged and chipped to the point of distortion then you need to replace the faucet.
- If the faucet needs constant repair so the time has come to buy a new kitchen faucet.
- The internal parts are worn out or corroded then repairing one gear will not work anymore.
- Replacing the faucet for aesthetic reasons such as it looks outdated and the style is not suitable for your taste.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Kitchen Faucet?
The price of a kitchen faucet depends on whom you are hiring and where you live. The price will vary in different locations and it also depends on whether you are doing it yourself or calling a plumber.
Installing a kitchen faucet yourself will save you money. But if you hire a professional to install the faucet then you’ll need to pay the labor cost.
That being said, installing a faucet will cost you on an average between $200 to $500. This cost includes removing and replacing the old faucet as well as readjusting the waterline.
The plumber usually charges their rate on an hourly basis that varies from $50 to $150 per hour. Also, remember that the price includes both the cost of labor and material in most cases.
However, some will charge separately for the labor, and material expenses will be added to the total cost. When you buy a new faucet, the faucet itself costs around $100 to $350. So be prepared when you are planning for a replacement.
How often Should Faucets Be Replaced?
Faucets are the long-living fittings of the kitchen but they aren’t built to last forever. Usually, the faucet will break down from use over time. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan, but a faucet can go bad due to breakdown from constant wear and tear.
The age of your faucet also decides when you need to replace it. As the faucet gets old, it runs inefficiently which can result in high water bills. You can replace your kitchen faucet, once the lifespan has decreased or it is near the end of its lifespan.
There are some warning signs for replacing such as visibility of mineral deposits, rusting, and the most common, constant leakage after multiple fixes. It is said that the lifespan of the faucet is 15 to 20 years.
But if it shows any of the signs mentioned above, it might be time to consider a replacement. The other advantage of replacement is, once it’s done, your faucet is set for working for a long time.
How To Maintain Faucet From Getting Bad
Maintaining the kitchen faucet means extending the lifespan of a faucet. The proper maintenance of the kitchen faucet includes repairing and replacing the inner parts once they are worn out or damaged, cleaning the faucet on daily basis, and clearing out the hard water deposits.
Remember one thing, check the finish of the faucet before cleaning it. Because there are certain chemicals and cleaning tools that can damage the coating of the faucet and it can also scratch and dull the finish.
You can reach your manufacturer to find out the finish and ask them the best way to clean it.
Ordinary Maintenance Practices are
- Regularly clean the faucet with a damp cloth and dry it with a soft dry cloth.
- If you see any mineral build-up around the faucet, clear it immediately by using vinegar solution.
- The faucet aerator should be removed and cleaned once a year.
- Make a yearly schedule for plumbing check-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a faucet cartridge goes bad?
If the faucet cartridge goes bad, you will see water dripping from the spout, hot water entering the cold water, difficulty in adjusting the water temperature.
How long does the kitchen faucet usually last?
Modern faucets can easily last for 15 to 20 years. However, there are many factors that decide the lifespan of a faucet such as frequency of use, proper installation, faucet make and model, quality of the water, and plumbing maintenance.
What are the reasons that a kitchen faucet can go bad?
The kitchen faucet can go bad for many reasons such as leaks, mineral deposits, mold growth, build up clogged aerator, rust, blockages and also lack of maintenance can be the root cause.
Conclusion
The above discussion concludes that the Kitchen faucet can go bad for many reasons such as mineral build-up, inner parts getting worn out, rust, mold growth, leaks, and blockages.
But proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of the faucet. As your faucet gets old it requires some maintenance and if you don’t give proper maintenance on time then your faucet can go bad.