Is It Time to Replace Your Current Fixtures?

Old plumbing fixtures can make problems in the bathroom. As a homeowner, it’s important to know when to replace your bathroom fixtures with models that are up-to-date and modern. These tips will help you decide when and how to replace your fixtures, to make the process easier.

Signs Your Fixtures Need Replacement

When plumbing fixtures age , they begin to suffer from a variety of issues. While repair can sometimes improve the situation, the most efficient way to fix the problem is to replace the fixture altogether. Below are some of the common issues  that fixture replacement can fix.

Water Inefficiency

Just a few decades ago, water efficiency standards were very different. Decades ago, old toilets used up to 7 gallons per flush. Modern toilets perform the same tasks with a fraction of the water. In fact, the most efficient modern toilets use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush, saving the average household over 10,000 gallons of water in a single year.

Replacing old toilets, shower heads and bathroom faucets with new, low-flow models can radically reduce your home’s water consumption. Your plumber can help you pick the right fixtures for saving water, so if this is a priority, talk to your plumbing expert.

Cosmetic Problems

Some plumbing fixtures just don’t look right in modern bathrooms. Take for example the old colored toilets and sinks of the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Today’s toilets are white, although some homeowners elect to install toilets and other fixtures in shades like bone, beige or linen. Removing these old fixtures can make your bathroom look more modern, which could be important if you’re trying to sell your home.

Reduced Functionality

After reaching 10 or 20 years of age, many fixtures develop problems like low water pressure, noisy water flow and chronic leaks. Some of these problems can be repaired, others cannot. If your fixtures just don’t work as well as they used to, replacement may be the best way to fix the problem.

Tips to Replace Your Current Fixtures

When the time comes to replace your current fixtures, these strategies can help ensure that the fixtures you install will be water efficient and cost effective.

• Buy from reputable sources. Purchase your bathroom fixtures from a reputable plumbing expert to ensure that the fixtures are worth the investment.
• Avoid bottom-of-the-line fixtures. Low-quality bathroom fixtures will break quickly and are often not very energy efficient. Stay away from fixtures that are significantly cheaper than the others.
• Shop sales and clearance items to get the best value. Instead of buying low-priced items, look for higher priced items that are on a deep discount.
• Check WaterSense ratings. These ratings, issued by the EPA, help homeowners determine how much water a fixture uses compared to other fixtures of the same type.

Contact Terry’s Plumbing

At Terry’s Plumbing, we help homeowners find the right plumbing fixtures for their bathrooms. We’re your source for expert plumbing repair and replacement in Pittsburgh. Contact us today to make an appointment!