It’s easy to forget about the bathroom fixtures, but like everything else in the home, they have a fixed life span. If it’s been a while since you’ve last updated your fixtures, it may be time to start considering a few upgrades. Beyond looking old and outdated, these fixtures will eventually wear down, leading to visits from the plumber and unexpected repair costs. This guide breaks down some of the signs that your fixtures are due for replacements. 

The life expectancy of a showerhead is around 100 years, barring any damages from mineral buildup. Despite its longevity, it’s one of the most commonly replaced fixtures—simply due to how easy they are to replace. In many cases, people swap out their showerheads for newer models that offer better water flow, design, or water efficiency.

Sinks don’t have a typical life span since it all depends on their individual parts. An acrylic sink basin can last half a century, but the faucet will likely last 15 to 20 years at most, depending on the manufacturer. Other influential factors include how much water you use and whether or not you have hard water. 

Like showerheads, toilets last around 100 years, but this doesn’t mean you should hold onto your toilet for that long. While occasional issues aren’t cause for concern, recurrent clogs that end in visits from the plumber as well as physical or cosmetic damage can be reasons enough to swap them out.