The faucets in your showers and bathrooms play a major role in your home’s plumbing system. They’re fixtures that you use every day. Plus, they are a focal point that determines the style of your bathrooms. They’re among the first things people will notice when they enter the bathroom. On top of that, their functionality can make or break your bathing experience. So, when the faucets in your bathrooms and showers reach the point that they need replacing, you’ll want to choose their replacements carefully. The problem is that if you head to your local big-box hardware store, you’ll end up staring down an aisle full of fixtures you can’t necessarily distinguish from one another. Since the team here at McCrea Plumbing Heating Air consists of experts in all things plumbing, we wanted to provide this guide to shower and bathroom faucet replacement. We’ll go over how you can tell when you might need a new shower or bathroom faucet and what to look for in a replacement fixture. By the time we’re through, you’ll be ready to give us a call to install your new bathroom fixture.
Signs That Your Shower Faucet Needs Replacement
If you’re like most people, you’ll only think about replacing your shower faucet for two reasons. One is if you’re redecorating and you want a new style of faucet to match your new décor. In that case, you already know why you’re reading this. The other reasons, of course, are if your shower faucet malfunctions, wears out, or starts leaking. Most of the time, issues with your shower faucet fall into one of these categories: • Physical wear and tear and cosmetic issues • Leaking or cracked showerheads • Leaking faucet handle or handles • Poor water pressure or clogs You might wish to replace your shower faucet for any of the above reasons or even a combination of them. However, there are a few things you should know first. One is that leaks in your faucet’s handle are often repairable. Sometimes, replacing a shower valve’s seat washer or another part of its stem is all you’d have to do to restore it to working order. So, if you’re thinking of replacing your shower faucet because of a leak, you might want to consider a repair instead. The same thing goes for pressure problems or clogs. Depending on where the problem is, replacing your shower faucet may not solve it. So, it’s a good idea to consult with an expert plumber, like a member of our team, first. They may save you quite a bit of time and hassle by finding and fixing your problem.
What to Look for in a New Shower Faucet
The most important thing you’ll have to think about if you decide to replace your shower faucet is how much time and expense you’re willing to devote to the task. The reason is that you can’t always simply install any new faucet you choose in place of your existing one. The type of valve your shower has determines what kind of replacement will fit. Your shower could have any one of the following common valve types: • Hot and cold handle valves • Diverter valve • Pressure balancing valve • Transfer valve • Thermostatic valve If you want to minimize the work involved in replacing your shower faucet, you’ll need to choose a new fixture that’s compatible with your valve type. A plumber can replace your shower’s valve if you wish, but it will increase the cost and complexity of the job. For that reason, people often leave shower valve upgrades for when they’re conducting a more thorough remodel of their bathrooms. Beyond those considerations, you can typically choose a new faucet that fits your style and budget considerations. Of course, you’ll want to remember that cheaper fixtures won’t last very long. So, if you want your new shower faucet to stand the test of time, consider purchasing one that is sturdy and comes with a multiyear warranty.
Signs That Your Bathroom Faucet Needs Replacing
Just as you might with a shower faucet, you could decide to replace a bathroom faucet simply to update the look of your bathroom. Or, you might do it because your existing faucet has cosmetic defects or is starting to leak. In either case, you’ll be happy to know that changing a bathroom faucet is far easier than changing a shower faucet. For one thing, bathroom faucets typically connect to their water supply via removable braided stainless-steel hoses. They’re flexible, so they’re easier to work with. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your existing valves because your faucet won’t connect directly to them. There are, however, a few things you’ll need to consider.
What to Look for in a New Bathroom Faucet
When you decide to replace a bathroom faucet, the first thing you’ll need to do is to count the number of holes there are in your bathroom sink. Most bathroom sinks have three holes—one for a hot water handle, one for the spout, and one for the cold-water handle. The best way to find out is to take a look at your sink from underneath it. You should have no trouble seeing the holes in the sink from that angle. If your sink has three holes and you wanted a single-hole faucet, don’t worry. Just know that most single-hole bathroom faucets come with deck plates for that very reason. They give you a stylish way to cover your sink’s unused holes. If you plan to use a deck plate, though, you should be sure you like the look of your new faucet with the deck plate included. If you don’t see it displayed that way, you might have to wait until you have the faucet at home to decide if you like it. Another thing you should look for in a bathroom faucet is ceramic valves. While standard valves will operate leak-free for years, ceramic ones will outlast them by a wide margin. Plus, faucets with ceramic valves typically don’t cost more, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Leave the Work to a Professional Plumber
The last thing you should know about replacing a shower or bathroom faucet is that it’s not a do-it-yourself job. That’s especially so when it comes to shower faucets. If you want to get your new fixture installed fast and to have it operate trouble-free for years, you should call in a plumber to do the work. The team here at McCrea Plumbing Heating Air has plenty of experience, having served the Payette and Treasure Valley areas since 1945. In that time, we’ve replaced so many shower and bathroom faucets that we’ve lost count! Plus, we can also tend to all of your heating, cooling, and air quality needs, too. And we pride ourselves on providing quality service, top-notch workmanship, and fair prices for every job we do. So, we can say without hesitation that you won’t find a better place to go for your plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. If you’re ready to replace your shower or bathroom faucet, contact McCrea Plumbing Heating Air today, and we’ll be happy to help!