Repair or Replace: Plumbing Fixtures

As a homeowner, you’ll likely struggle with this conundrum at one point or another. Read our FAQs on repairing and replacing plumbing fixtures to get some basic direction for your next plumbing project:

Can I repair my fixtures myself?

Depending on the level of experience you have (and your comfort level), repairing a leaking fixture can be a quick 1-2 hour job — assuming you have the right tools and supplies on hand. Never feel forced to try and DIY anything you aren’t comfortable working with.

If you haven’t done plumbing repairs before, you may be more confident hiring professionals to complete repairs for you.

Should I repair or replace my plumbing fixtures?

Like most repair versus replacement questions, the biggest thing you’ll want to identify is how much money you’d be spending to repair a fixture compared to replacing it with a newer model.

A good rule of thumb to follow is whether the cost of the repairs is more than half the cost of a replacement. Keep in mind, the more you have to repair a fixture, the more repairs it could need down the line as well.

Benefits of Upgrading to Water-Saving Fixtures

Upgrading to efficient fixtures (such as WaterSense certified fixtures) can not only increase the reliability of your plumbing, it can also reduce the amount of water in every use.

For example, the standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), while a WaterSense showerhead uses a maximum of 2 gpm. WaterSense bathroom faucets use 30% less water than the standard fixture! These numbers may not seem huge on their own. But when compounded over time, they can add up to major savings.

Still have questions? Want to hire the pros? Contact EJ Plumbing at to schedule an appointment or speak to a member of our team today!