Faucet problems, lifespan and upkeep

A faucet mixes hot and cold water and sends it out through a spout, with an aerator at the tip to smooth the stream. Most trouble is a worn part inside or a clog at the tip. A faucet that is dripping is usually a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring, and one with low pressure is most often a clogged aerator. The shutoff valves under the sink stop the water if anything goes wrong.

Common problems
How long it should last

Typical lifespan: about 15–20 years for a kitchen faucet

Signs it is near the end:

  • It drips again soon after a repair.
  • The finish is pitted or flaking, or the handle is loose.
  • The stream is weak even after you clean the aerator.
  • Repairs keep coming, and a replacement averages $262 ($162–364).
Basic upkeep
  • Clean the aerator at the tip of the spout when the stream gets weak or sprays sideways.
  • Know where the shutoff valves under the sink are, and that they turn.
  • Fix a small drip early, before it wears the part further.
  • Look under the sink now and then for damp spots on the supply lines.
Common fixes

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

  • Fridge not cooling?

    Fridge

    The fridge section is warm or warming. The cause depends on whether the freezer is still cold, and the first fix is often free.

  • Washer won't spin?

    Washer

    The drum fills and washes but won't spin, which is usually an unbalanced load, the lid switch, or a drain problem.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your faucet in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

  • the whole faucet, showing the handles
  • where it drips or leaks
  • the aerator at the tip of the spout
  • the shutoff valves under the sink

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