Plumbing Faucets and Showerhead Care

Faucets and showerheads also need care and attention. These plumbing fixtures are used day in and day out, and with regular maintenance, they could last much longer. And while a new faucet and showerhead may not cost much, the hassle of a failing faucet or showerhead, the inconvenience of having it replaced, and the plumbing service fees are best kept at bay.

There are several ways to keep faucets and showerheads in good working condition. Cleaning them periodically and using them carefully will help prolong the life of these plumbing fixtures. This article shall discuss the best ways to clean and maintain these plumbing contraptions. 

Faucets and showerheads also need care and attention. (Photo Credits) https://unsplash.com/photos/hc8wUjr5S_Q

Caring for the faucet

Most faucets are kept well maintained simply by wiping the faucet with a clean and soft cloth at least once a day. By keeping the fixture dry, the sedimentations are removed and the possibility of premature corrosion is avoided. Homeowners will also benefit from using the faucet with care. Every faucet user should carefully turn on and turn off the faucet with care not to cause premature wearing out of these fixtures. 

It is a different matter altogether when the water supply is hard water. Hard water has minerals and sedimentation that could cause corrosion. If the water supply in the property is hard water, homeowners should exert effort to keep fixtures dry at all times so that rusting and corrosion can be prevented. He should also consider asking a licensed plumbing contractor to install a water softener for his property. Water softeners remove the minerals in the water that could cause corrosion and is damaging to the plumbing system. 

How to know if the water supply is hard water? When there are scales and white watermarks within the fixtures and the sink or the tub, the water supply is hard water. If interested, a homeowner can easily request for installation of a water softener from any local plumbing contractor. 

Cleaning the faucet

Homeowners can likewise periodically clean their faucet’s aerators. The best way to go about it is by brushing it with a toothbrush that is dipped in a vinegar solution. Some homeowners meanwhile choose lemon juice. Either way, it will help avoid build-up. Some homeowners even go to great lengths by soaking the aerator and faucet in plastic with a vinegar-water solution until the build-up loosens up and it could be easily brushed away. 

Showerhead maintenance

Cleaning the showerhead is much like cleaning the faucet. Homeowners can keep it well-maintained by wiping it dry each time, and periodically deep cleaning its aerators with a toothbrush dipped in a vinegar solution. In hard water areas, the vinegar soak solution is useful and effective, especially when there is no water softener installed on the property. 

Fixing plumbing problems

Fixing plumbing problems right away also helps in keeping faucets and showerheads well-maintained. For instance, if there seems to be a leak, or if the water pressure is way too low or too high, the homeowner should immediately seek 24/7 plumber services for professional plumbing help. Foregoing repairs could just make matters worse. And apart from that existing plumbing issue, other problems could also occur like water damage, mold growth, and the like. For more information on plumbing services visit Ace Contractors website.

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SUGGESTED CAPTION: Faucets and showerheads also need care and attention. (Photo Credits) https://unsplash.com/photos/hc8wUjr5S_Q

Different types of faucets for residential properties

Faucets are used day in and day out in any home. Apart from its functional purpose, it also accentuates the design of the bathroom, the kitchen, and anywhere it is used. 

And while it has the same purpose, there are different types of faucets homeowners can choose from when installing one in their home. This article will discuss these options, to guide homeowners who are choosing their for a replacement faucet or installing a new one. 

Different home faucets

Several types of faucets can be used at home. These include disc faucets, ball faucets, compression washer faucets, and two-handle cartridge faucets. Compression washer faucets are one of the most common, and earliest types of faucet designs. It is relatively inexpensive but is not as durable as other types of faucets. It could leak after continued use, as its washers get worn out easily.  

Disc faucets on the other hand are a modern faucet design that is controlled by a lever. The temperature is adjusted by moving the lever to its two sides. Ball faucets are meanwhile usually used in kitchens. unlike traditional faucets, it does not have a washer. Two-handle cartridge faucets meanwhile have a stem and a knob. The mechanism goes up and down to release water. 

Taking care of faucets

As one of the most commonly used plumbing fixtures in any home, every member of the household has the responsibility to use faucets responsibly. Everyone should move to take care of plumbing fixtures because when it gets broken, everyone will also get inconvenienced. 

The best way to keep faucets well maintained is by regularly cleaning them. In areas with hard water, homeowners should clean the faucet regularly by removing limescale, hard water, and other sedimentation that could affect the performance of the faucet. Moreover, if the area has a hard water supply, it is best to install a hard water softener to prolong the life of all the plumbing fixtures. 

When to replace a faucet

Since faucets get worn out, they will need replacement. For instance, if it continuously leaks, and needs repair now and then, it could be nearing the end of its lifespan. If the water is constantly leaking or dripping from the faucet even if it is turned off, then most likely it is damaged already. The same goes for the faucet that pours our irregular streams of water. Licensed plumbers call it a spitting faucet, and when the faucet seems to spit water then it most likely has incurred internal damage. Lastly, some faucet handles squeak. While this could mean that the handles need a bit of grease, it also points to a mechanical problem within the fixture. Get in touch with a licensed residential plumber who can easily fix the issue. 

Another reason to replace a faucet is when it is already reaching the end of its lifespan. Usually, home faucets can last up to two decades, but of course, maintenance and wear and tear play a significant role in this. Aiming for an eco-friendly home would also move a homeowner to replace his faucet. There are eco-friendly, low-flow faucets that use less water, without diminishing the pressure.