How to Replace Faucets in the Bathroom

A bathroom remodel can provide one of the best returns on investment out of any home improvement project – and it does not have to be a huge, costly project! According to the 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, a modest bathroom remodel can yield homeowners nearly a 60% return on investment. Part of that remodel? A bathroom faucet replacement.

Stacking together small and medium-sized bathroom renovations can yield big results. This includes replacing linoleum flooring with tile, upgrading outdated and worn cabinetry, or simply replacing faucets, towel bars, and lighting.

A bathroom faucet replacement is an inexpensive upgrade or repair job many crafty homeowners can handle themselves. You can also leave it to the professionals to ensure the job gets done right. 

Modernize created this handy guide on replacing bathroom faucets to help homeowners better understand when it’s time to replace broken or damaged faucets, how much work is involved, and when it’s time to call in a professional.

3 Signs You Need a Bathroom Faucet Replacement

Water use varies throughout your home, but it is safe to say your bathroom faucets see their fair share of water pass through them each day. Faucets can account for as much as 20 percent of total water usage in your home. The average home loses roughly 10 gallons of water a day from leaky faucets and other water fixtures.

These three signs are clear indicators that it’s time to replace your bathroom faucets:

1. Leaking and Dripping

It’s amazing how much water can be lost through leaking faucets – up to 30 gallons a day for larger leaks. Causes can include loose or worn o-rings, corroded valve seats, or worn-out seals, washers and cartridges, depending upon the type of faucets used in your home.

Additional issues with leaking bathroom faucets can stem from rust and corrosion, mineral build-up and age. Water leaking inside the vanity, meanwhile, could signal a more serious issue with the plumbing leading to your bathroom faucet.

Fixing faucet leaks is not terribly complicated, but it requires some DIY knowledge and also depends on the type of faucet you have. Cartridge, ball, and ceramic disk are the most common types of faucets. If you are unfamiliar with these terms, be sure to call a professional to help.

2. Outdated or Rusty Fixtures

Bathroom fixtures see a ton of use over the years. Metal fixtures often lose their shine and luster after years of humidity and condensation. They also can develop rust and hard water stains.

Rust often builds up on faucets on the inside before the outside of the faucet appears rusty. If the rust is visible on the outside, this is a clear indication the faucet is likely to deteriorate and leak in time. Additionally, replacing faucets can provide a quick refresh to your bathroom at a modest cost.

3. High Water Usage

It’s always a good idea to have energy-efficient water fixtures throughout your home. Low-flow bathtub, shower, and sink faucet replacements that bear the WaterSense label can curb water usage per fixture by roughly 30 percent, saving more than 700 gallons per year.

Federal regulations stipulate that homes built after 1994 have maximum water flow rates of 2.2 gallons per minute for bathroom faucets and 2.5 gpm for showerheads. Homes built prior to this standard likely use far more water and are good candidates for bathtub and shower faucet replacements. Lastly, if your sink has unattractive stains from hard water or rust, it’s a good time to consider replacing the sink basin as well.

Find Local Bathroom Pros

What Does a DIY Bathroom Faucet Replacement Cost?

Bathroom faucet replacement costs can vary greatly. The cost is largely dependent on what is wrong with your sink, bathtub, or shower faucet. The type of replacement faucet you choose and local labor rates will also impact cost.

Bathroom Faucet Replacement

Faucets come in many colors, styles, and finishes, from quite basic to high-end

• Updates the look of your bathroom

• Possible to DIY

• May need a professional if the faucet is broken or leaking

• Can be paired with other hardware updates for a cohesive look

Average Cost:

$150 - $200

New faucets in the sink, shower, and bathtub will immediately update the look of the space, and those upgrades can be carried through to cabinet hardware, drawer pulls, and beyond.

What Does a Professional Charge For a Bathroom Faucet Replacement?

Experienced professionals can quickly diagnose and repair a leaking bathroom faucet. But what if there are hidden issues such as rot from rust, broken internal pieces, or the fixture requires many new parts? Then the labor to repair the problem and install the new faucet may cost more than the faucet itself.

A straightforward bathroom faucet replacement by a professional may cost around $150 to $300 dollars. Fixing a more complicated issue or installing a more complex faucet may cost $500 or more.

Bathroom Faucet Repair: DIY or Call a Professional?

Many homeowners have the do-it-yourself chops to handle minor plumbing repairs themselves. There also are a host of online videos you can watch that will walk you through the various plumbing repair processes.

However, if you are not on a first-name basis with wrenches, screwdrivers and similar tools, you are better off calling a professional to help solve your bathroom faucet replacement or repair issue.

Modernize can help you connect with licensed bathroom professionals in your area by clicking below. Our pros can tackle your job with professionalism, courtesy and respect and keep the water moving throughout your home.