Water Damage Cleanup When Replacing Leaking Faucets 

Most modest homes have between two and five indoor faucets. More bathrooms and more luxurious kitchens have even more. This represents a significant investment in your home since new faucets cost between $100 and $200 each at a big box store. And the national average  to install or replace each faucet is about $255. 

Water Damage Cleanup in Greensboro

So you probably have several in your home,  and they don’t last forever. In general, homeowners can expect faucets to last for 15-20 years. Greensboro has three surface water sources that surpass Environment Protection Agency (EPA) standards: Lake Higgins, Lake Brandt, and Lake Townsend. Thankfully our municipal water does not contain excessive minerals; it is not “hard water” that wears out the fixtures.  But some other factors can shorten the life of your fixtures: 

• Usage/ frequency (spare bathroom vs. kitchen) 
• Faucet design
• Proper installation and maintenance 

Common DIY Fixes

When water pressure at the faucet decreases over time, clear out debris by filling up a plastic bag with vinegar and taping the bag around the faucet opening.  Leave it tied on with a rubber band overnight. The vinegar will gently break down the minerals that build up. About once a year, remove and clean your faucet aerators. Unscrew the end piece and use a soft brush to dislodge any debris.  

Sometimes, it’s possible to fix a leaky faucet by replacing the cartridge inside the handle assembly.  Signs that a cartridge faucet needs repair are:

• water dripping from the spout 
• difficulty in adjusting the water temperature 
• hot water entering cold water outlets like toilet supply lines 

You’ll have to match the correct brand (Moen, Delta, Kohler, etc). Use pliers if needed, but protect the faucet cartridge with plumbers tape. If you aren’t too handy, call in the professionals before you create a bigger problem. 

If the handle sticks when you try to move it, or if it takes a few seconds for water to come out hot, you might have internal rusting and corrosion. The most common visible external places are around the base and spigot. If this rust is ignored,  the corrosion will increase. This is definitely a sign that you need to replace the unit. 

Time For A Change? 

Many times, the decision to replace faucets is an aesthetic one. When remodeling, match the sink, shower, and tub sets to the rest of the design. Matte black, brushed nickel and gold are hot for 2022. Repeat the color for knobs, pulls, light fixtures, and little decor touches. throughout your space. If your fixtures are nearing the end of its 15-20 year lifespan, consider replacing it before the faucet constantly needs repairs.

If your faucet keeps leaking after you’ve attempted to fix it once or twice, you should replace it. Don’t waste any more time and money, it’s much easier to replace the entire apparatus. In practice, faucet repairs are over 30% of the cost for full replacement. Not only is a leaky faucet annoying, but constant leaking could also lead to mold growth. 

Don’t Stop With Fixing The Faucets– Fix All The Damage

Excess water can cause leaks to occur around the sink, tub, and shower pan. Water can seep through cracks in the tile or at the edges of the counter and degrade the sheetrock. Moisture that lingers on the floor can get under tiles and vinyl, eventually reaching the subfloor. 

Even if replacing a faucet is DIY, cleaning up the resulting water damage is not. 

If You Need Water Damage Cleanup in Greensboro…

…trust the professionals at Restoration 1. They have the water damage expertise and experienced cabinet makers to restore the beauty to your water damaged paneling. 

• Fast, Emergency 24-Hour Service
• Certified and Experienced Restoration Pros
• Prompt Damage Assessment and Pretesting
• Trusted Name Nationwide 

Plus, the highly trained water damage cleanup technicians are experts in water removal, clean up, and restoration. Every team member in your home is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Prompt restoration will lessen any structural damage. Call for water damage cleanup experts for immediate assistance with property damage. Or check out the free downloadable disaster forms and checklists.