Plumbing Repair: Fixing vs. Replacing A Plumbing Fixture | Atlanta, GA
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One of the things you have to understand when you own a home is what you need to do in terms of upkeep. It’s important that you know how to spot problems, how to get those problems fixed and when it’s better to simply opt for replacement. If your Atlanta, GA, home is in need of plumbing repairs, you might have better luck simply buying a new fixture and replacing your old one. If you’re not sure whether or not you should fix a fixture or replace it with a new and improved version, here’s what you should keep in mind.
What’s the Problem?
The first thing you need to consider if you aren’t sure whether to invest in plumbing repair or buy a new fixture is what kind of repairs you’re dealing with. In some cases, a plumbing problem is as simple as replacing one small part of a fixture, such as an aerator or a cartridge. However, other problems can be a little more complicated and require innovative solutions.
Simple plumbing repairs are usually the worst investing money on for two reasons. Not only do these plumbing repairs cost less, but they also tend to be more successful since they’re simpler, easier repairs. Most plumbers have experience with basic repairs as well.
Complex repairs are a problem because they generally cost a little more time and money, plus you can’t be sure that they’re going to work every time. In some cases, a plumber will have to try several different plumbing repairs to find the solution to your problem. If you’re not dealing with a cut-and-dried solution that’s somewhat affordable, it’s probably best to replace your fixture.
Age
Another thing you want to keep in mind when you’re choosing whether to repair or replace a fixture is how old that fixture is. Like everything, plumbing fixtures don’t last forever. At a certain point, integral parts of the fixture (which can’t be replaced) will start to degrade and corrode, leaving you with no choice but to upgrade to a modern fixture.
The problem with fixture age is there’s no exact number when you should replace things. However, there are some basic guidelines for how long fixtures should last. A faucet should last 15 to 20 years, while a toilet can last up to 50 years. Still, there’s a chance that your toilet or faucet will fail quicker than that depending on water hardness and other factors. This is why it’s generally not worth repairing a faucet that’s already 10 or 15 years old.
Efficiency
Efficiency is another thing to think about if you’ve been considering upgrading to a newer fixture. No matter what kind of fixture you’re talking about, technology has advanced over the years and today’s fixtures are much more efficient and feature-filled than older fixtures. So, while you could spend a couple hundred bucks on plumbing repairs to keep your old fixture, you could spend a little bit more to upgrade to something newer and better.
The best plumbing fixtures to upgrade when it comes to efficiency include your toilet, faucets and showerheads. While strides have been made with other plumbing fixtures, these are the ones that tend to waste the most water. If you have an old toilet or showerhead, you could be using as much as twice the water you should be using. Not only is that a huge waste when you consider how scarce water is today, but it also ends up costing you a lot of extra money.
Convenience
Efficiency is one great reason to upgrade to new fixtures, but it’s not the only reason to make the upgrade. As a matter of fact, you can get some really great convenience features by opting for a new water heater, faucet or toilet. Whether you’re looking for a dual-flush toilet or a kitchen faucet with a built-in sprayer, there are tons of options that make it tempting to opt for upgrades over plumbing repairs.
Another thing to consider when it comes to convenience is the fact that you won’t have to worry about replacing your fixtures for a long while if you upgrade them now. There’s nothing worse than having old appliances and fixtures that break often, and that’s simply not going to be the case when you have brand-new fixtures in your home.
A Note About Water Heaters
When it comes to plumbing repairs and whether or not you should upgrade, water heaters are an interesting case. The thing about water heaters is that there are only a few parts you can fix, so they tend to need to be replaced more often than other fixtures and appliances. When you couple that with the fact that water heaters have a relatively short lifespan and can be decimated by hard water, there’s a lot to consider with water heaters and plumbing repair.
If you do upgrade to a new water heater, remember that you’ve got numerous options including tankless and point-of-use water heaters. Plus, you can always make the switch from gas to electric or vice versa, if you’d like. When it comes to upgrading a fixture in your home, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as getting a brand-new water heater.
Call Today
Taking care of your home can feel like a difficult job, but it doesn’t have to. As a homeowner, all you have to know are the basics and when it’s time to call a plumber to lend a helping hand.
The good news is, keeping your plumbing system in good shape is easy if you’re in Atlanta, GA. At Peach Plumbing & Drain, we can take care of all your plumbing service needs, whether you have a leak, need an upgrade or are repiping your home. Give Peach Plumbing & Drain a call at (678) 995-5082 to schedule a service appointment today.
