The average bathroom faucet will last for decades before it has to be replaced, and even then, it is usually a specific part of the faucet that has failed. When you have a better understanding of the multiple parts of a faucet, you are better equipped to simply pick up the pieces you need to make general repairs. Most bathroom faucet parts can be purchased at appliance stores, but they can also be found at most hardware or home improvement stores. Here is a general look at some of the parts of the average bathroom faucet.
Faucet Spout
The faucet spout is the primary part of the whole system, and it is the most prominent. In general terms, the faucet spout is the decorative pipe that protrudes from the base over the sink or washbasin. These spouts rarely fail, but they may need to be replaced due to rust or corrosion. A lot of bathroom faucets are designed with the spout attached to or welded to the main frame or base. In these cases, it is more logical to replace the full faucet unit.
Stem Cartridges
Stem cartridges are seated at the base of the handles on the bathroom faucet. It is the turning of these metal mechanisms that will actually turn the water on, so they serve an important purpose and can sustain a lot of wear over the years. The stems are usually created out of non-corrosive metal, and they have ridges that get caught by the interior of the handle as it turns. The most common problem with the cartridge stems is the ridges can wear down with a lot of use, which means you may turn the handle and nothing will happen.
O-Ring Seat
Just under the stem cartridge is a rubber seat that is more like a thick-walled O-ring. This ring provides a seal around the stem, but it also serves as a cushion within the handle so it does not turn too briskly. These O-rings can break down with age, so it is relatively common to have to pick up the faucet parts to replace them.
Aerator
The aerator is inside the end of the faucet. Without the aerator, the water would pour out in a solid stream, which means you will use more gallons per minute. The aerator is the primary barrier between the water stream from the faucet and the sink. Therefore, this one little component can sustain a lot of natural wear. Thankfully, these small faucet parts are easy to find, and most are universal in size so they fit inside the majority of bathroom faucets.
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