Every day, your faucets work very hard. Reliable faucets are necessary in our houses for everything from late-night water drinks to morning showers and dishwashing. 

But over time, faucets are subject to wear and tear just like anything else that receives a lot of everyday use. Use in general, internal component failures, and mineral deposits can all limit the life of your faucet. 

Act now rather than waiting to fix a leak or dripping faucet! For many years to come, you can maintain the like-new condition of your faucets with a little preventive maintenance and care.

1. Make Daily Wiping Down Part of Your Routine

An easy way to extend the life of your faucets is to wipe them down after each use. Giving your faucets a quick daily wipe removes water droplets and residue before they have a chance to dry and cake on. 

Hard water deposits and soap scum buildup over time can corrode and degrade faucet finishes. 

Get into the habit of using a soft microfiber cloth to wipe down faucets right after using them, especially in hard water areas. For stainless steel faucets, use a dedicated stainless steel cleaner to maintain the shiny finish. 

Frequently wiping down your faucets prevents mineral buildup and keeps finishes looking new longer.

2. Deep Clean Faucets Regularly

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Adding to daily wipe downs, you should periodically give your faucets a thorough deep cleaning. Every 1-2 months, do a more intensive cleaning treatment to remove stubborn residue and buildup. 

Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water and pour or spray it generously over all faucet surfaces. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so the vinegar can work to dissolve soap scum, limescale, and other hard water deposits. 

After letting it soak in, scrub all faucet surfaces with a soft brush or microfiber cloth. Rinse thoroughly. The mild acid in vinegar will break down mineral deposits without damaging faucet finishes. 

Follow up by buffing faucets dry with a soft towel. 

Consider applying a small amount of mineral oil to faucets using a cloth; this helps maintain shine. Regular deep cleanings keep faucets free of stubborn deposits.

3. Inspect and Replace Internal Seals and Gaskets

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While surface cleaning maintains the aesthetic appearance of faucets, inspecting and replacing internal seals and gaskets is crucial to keeping faucets functioning properly. 

The small rubber O-rings and seals inside your faucet handles and valves are subject to wear over frequent use. Eventually these components flatten or crack, leading to annoying drips and leaks. 

Annually inspect faucet internal seals like O-rings, washers, valve seats, and cartridges. Look for any signs of wear, flattening, tearing, or hardness which indicates the parts need replacement. 

Use silicone-based faucet grease or petroleum jelly to lubricate seals during replacement to ensure a smooth tight fit. Follow manufacturer instructions to properly replace any worn seals specific to your faucet model. 

Swapping out these small but essential internal seals every few years prevents major drips and water loss down the road.

4. Maintain Faucet Supply Hoses

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The flexible water supply hoses that connect your faucet to the shutoff valves under your sink also need periodic inspection and maintenance. Plastic supply tubes are prone to cracking over time leading to leaks at the faucet base. 

Replace plain plastic supply hoses with braided stainless steel hoses for greater durability. When installing any new supply hose, make sure rubber gaskets are properly seated in the female fittings. 

Use pliers to tighten the male ends an additional 1/4 turn past hand tight. Don't over tighten. Also replace any worn washers. Check for bulging, cracks, or corrosion on supply hoses annually and replace as needed. 

Turn off shutoff valves and drain any hoses not used regularly. Properly maintained supply hoses prevent leaks.

5. Clean and Replace Faucet Aerators

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Those small screens on the ends of faucets are more important than they look. Aerators mix air into the water flow to prevent splashing, regulate pressure, and contain flow. 

When mineral deposits and sediment clog faucet aerators, it leads to irregular and reduced water flow. Give aerators a thorough cleaning by soaking in vinegar and scrubbing with an old toothbrush 2-3 times per year. 

For severely clogged aerators, replace with new ones which are inexpensive and screw on easily by hand. Ensure the aerator gasket is properly sealed within the housing before attaching to prevent seepage. 

Adjustable aerators allow customizing water flow as needed. Keeping aerators clean provides proper water pressure.

Identify Faucet Problems Early with These Tips

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Even if you maintain your faucets properly, problems can still pop up from time to time. Catching faucet issues early is key to quick and easy repairs. Here are tips for identifying common faucet problems before they worsen

• Listen for any drips or leaks and inspect seals/washers immediately. Don't ignore small drips!
• Notice changes in water pressure or volume and clean aerators/valves to diagnose issues.
• Watch for mineral deposits and clean regularly to prevent clogging.
• Test temperature regulation. Faulty anti-scald valves require repair.
• Inspect for cracks, corrosion, loose parts, damage or signs of wear and address promptly.
• Turn on all faucets and check water temperature to identify hot water supply problems.
• Test sprayer wand functionality and clean hard water buildup if flow is obstructed.
• Evaluate water stream pattern and flow rate compared to manufacturer specs.
• Monitor moisture under the sink for any evidence of valve/hose leaks.

By performing quick visual, tactile and auditory inspections of your faucets regularly, you can identify issues in the early stages before they worsen or lead to water damage or mold growth. Address problems promptly as they arise. Catching faucet problems early allows easy at-home repairs.

Choose High-Quality Replacement Parts for Long-Term reliability

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Eventually all faucets will require replacement of parts that become damaged or worn out from regular use over the years. Opt for replacement components designed specifically for your faucet model when repairs are needed

• OEM parts from your faucet's brand fit correctly and last.
• Metal valves, brass parts, and stainless steel hoses are more durable than plastic versions.
• Silicone/EPDM O-rings and washers provide a better watertight seal than lower-grade rubber.
• Aerators with durable finishes resist corrosion better than cheap plastic models.
• Pay a bit more for ceramic disc cartridges over compression cartridges when replacing.
• Extended warranties offered on some replacement parts give added peace of mind.
• Match replacement finishes like chrome, nickel, bronze, etc. to your existing faucet finish.

While generic "fits all" replacement parts save money up front, investing in quality components designed specifically for your faucet model pays off with greater longevity and reliability down the road, preventing repeated repairs.

Introducing Jaquar Luxury Bathroom Faucets Built to Last

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When it does come time to replace your old worn out bathroom or kitchen faucet, Jaquar luxury faucets are an excellent choice known for their durable construction and reliable performance. Jaquar's diverse selection of bathroom faucets features a range of styles from modern and sleek to classically elegant to suit any decor.

Jaquar faucets are made with top-quality components like all-brass bodies, superior stainless steel finishes, and ceramic disc cartridges that last over 500,000 cycles for incredible longevity. 

Many models also incorporate concealed aerators and engineered flow regulators to prevent wasteful water usage while providing a soothing water saving stream.

Jaquar's specialized PVD faucet finishes resist scratches, corrosion, and tarnishing better than standard chrome. 

With multiple finish options from polished chrome to champagne gold, you can find the perfect look. All Jaquar faucets are backed by a 10-year warranty and Jaquar's excellent customer service.