How long does a faucet last?

You can expect a faucet to last 15 to 25 years, with an average of 20 years. Factors that affect lifespan include quality of manufacture, level of usage, and water hardness. Although a faucet typically gets replaced when repair cost exceeds half the price of a new faucet, they are often included as part of the replacement of a sink, tub, or shower.

    Here’s a bar graph that compares estimated life of a faucet with other plumbing fixtures.
     Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful?  

Here’s links to some of our other blog posts about SINKS:

• Why is it a problem when a trap under a sink is installed backwards? 

• What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? 

• Why is garbage disposal not allowed at a combination waste and vent (CW&V) under a sink?

• Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? 

• Is a sink required to have a drain stopper?

• Can a laundry sink drain be installed without a trap under it? 

• Can a dishwasher drain hose be connected after the sink trap (to the trap arm)?

• How far away from the sink can I install a dishwasher? 

• What is the minimum and maximum distance a P-trap can be below a sink? 

• Can two sinks share a trap? 

• What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? 

• Can I make a trap under the sink from straight pipe and 90º elbows? 

• What is a double trap in plumbing?

     Visit our SINKS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.