What to Do if Your Home Bathroom’s Hardware Needs Replacing

Evaluate if Your Bathroom Faucet Actually Needs To Be Replaced

Before you start hunting for a new faucet, your old bathroom faucet may not necessarily need replacing. It could be a parts issue. If you used a good manufacturer, they will most likely supply you with replacement parts.

But how do you know if your faucet needs a full replacement? Luckily, you usually don’t need to pay a plumber to figure this out.

Here are some quick steps:

Leaky Handles

One of the first parts of a faucet to break down over time are the handles. Leaky faucets are usually one of the first signs that your faucet is deteriorating. These leaks will most likely appear where the faucet meets the sink or wall, and whenever you turn on the faucet, water will leak out.

There are some instances where this can be corrected by replacing a seal or gasket, but these simple fixes are usually a short-term solution. If your faucet is under warranty, you may just want to replace it altogether.

Rusty Handles 

Rust is never a good sign. It’s also a sign of aging — after all, nothing lasts forever. If turning the handle is more difficult than usual or if you can see rust building up around the handles, it’s time to look at replacing it.

Rusty handles can be managed for quite some time, but they also mean the faucet will not last much longer. Again, if your faucet is under warranty, it’s time for an upgrade.

Mineral Buildup 

If you start noticing mineral buildup even after a good cleaning with a mild acidic solution, it’s time to start looking for a replacement. Mineral buildup is a normal process, and it eventually just becomes too stubborn to deal with.

However, if you’re the proactive type, there are ways to prevent mineral buildup for as long as possible. Check them out here.

Excessive Dripping 

Yep, a dripping faucet is the first cry for help. Not only does this inflate your water bill, it’s also an annoyance. While a dripping faucet isn’t always a red alarm for faucet replacement, it means your faucet has parts that need to be replaced. Finding replacement parts is one of the best long-term solutions for a dripping faucet.

Age

If there’s anything happening with your faucet, such as annoying dripping or stubborn handles, the first thing you need to think about is how old your faucet is. If it’s an older faucet, you might just need a full replacement.

Even if you’re not sure if your faucet needs to be replaced, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you get the most out of your faucet, warranty and manufacturer.

Take Photos  

A picture speaks a thousand words. There’s nothing better than photo evidence of your bathroom faucet maladies, and a photograph can help diagnose the issue.

If you’re having bathroom faucet woes, you may not necessarily need a full replacement. But when you speak to manufacturer customer service, photos can make all the difference in finding an appropriate solution.

Find Your Faucet’s Manufacturer

After you’ve taken your photos, find out who the manufacturer is. The most obvious and quickest way to do this is to just look at the faucet. Often, there will be the manufacturer’s logo somewhere on it. Some manufacturers even include the model number directly on the hardware, but sometimes you need to hunt for this.

If you’re struggling to find the manufacturer, sometimes the builder of your home or apartment will know this. If you still have the literature that came with all the home’s hardware, you can find this directly on those documents.

Find the Particular Product on the Manufacturer’s Website

While sometimes this can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, finding your faucet on the manufacturer’s website can make life a lot easier, particularly when you contact customer service.

On the manufacturer’s website, you should be able to find your faucet either by a direct product number search or by browsing collections. Depending on how old your faucet is, it may not be listed on the website anymore.

However, you should be able to find warranty information and customer service contact information.

Check the Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty can be a really handy tool. If your faucet is still under warranty, you’ll want to make sure you’re making the most out of that. This warranty information will be either in the documents that came with your faucet or directly on the manufacturer’s website (or both). If you can’t find it anywhere, it’s time to contact customer service.

What To Do When You Contact Manufacturer Customer Service

Once you do contact customer service, there are a few questions you might want to ask:

• What is the model number of your bathroom faucet?
• Can you be provided with warranty information?
• What replacement parts are available, and how long will it take to order them?

Don’t forget your photos. If there are any issues with identifying your particular faucet or difficulties explaining the issue with your faucet, you always have those photos to lean on.

How Can You Tell if a Faucet Manufacturer Is Good?

If you do end up having to replace your bathroom faucet, you don’t necessarily have to stick with the same manufacturer. Depending on the issues you had with your old faucet, warranty and customer service, you may want to shop around.

But how can you tell if a manufacturer is reliable and high-quality? Here are a few tips:

• A good manufacturer will have all the product information you need right on their website
• They will have an excellent warranty
• Customer service will be accessible and have real people on the other end.
• Look at certifications — a manufacturer that cares will ensure their products are certified.

Get Started With Industry-Leading Bathroom Faucets

We understand that as a homeowner, you have a lot on your plate. A troublesome bathroom faucet should be the least of your worries. Why do we care so much? Because we’re homeowners, too.

At Pioneer, we strive to offer homeowners industry-leading faucets that are affordable, stylish and of the highest quality. All of our products are backed by an industry-leading warranty. Plus, if you have any questions, we have real people on the phone ready to help.