The Plumbing Fixture Mistake You Can't Afford To Make

It's said that cheap will always cost you. Being that so little in life is guaranteed, we're more inclined to say that it will often cost you. And when it comes to plumbing, cheap is never worth the risk. There's a reason why you hear about plumbing emergencies more frequently than things like down feather pillow catastrophes or shabby chic DIY garden planter disasters. When something's gone wrong with your plumbing — whether it's resulted in a dish pileup in the kitchen, or a shower delay in the bathroom — you're going to need to it fixed fast. Considering the long game, plumbing fixtures are something you should never nickel and dime, if you can help it.

Plumbing fixtures are the top items worth allocating a little more money to, whenever possible, to keep a household running smoothly. Sure, designers may have other kitchen feature splurge recommendations, and folks often swear by buying the best sofa or mattress you can afford. That's all great guidance for a life more comfortably lived, but uninterrupted bathroom and kitchen access is compulsory for even baseline comfort. Choosing the highest-quality, longest-lasting products your budget allows saves precious time and money down the line. Just as you don't want to attempt certain plumbing projects unless you're a pro, you also don't want to set yourself up for a future faucet failure. Perusing both professional and user reviews can help you identify the highest-quality water closet accoutrements. And buying from established, reputable brands makes it more likely you'll have access to necessary customer service assistance well into the future. 

Pay close attention to warranties whenever you're shopping for a new plumbing fixture. An unknown kitchen faucet brand that stands out in a sea of mostly anonymous online offerings, for example, might look nice enough for the right price. And it might work out just fine for years to come. Or it might stop working properly in a few months, with no recourse opportunities. Quality materials are just less likely to crack, leak, and rust, which is why top companies are so liberal with their warranties. Though you may never need them, these warranties from established brands like Kohler and Moen will obviously pay off should something go wrong later, even if the products cost more up front. Peace of mind aside, quality fixtures can also improve your home's resale value at best, or maintain it at worst.

There are other benefits for buying at the top of your budget. Replacement parts from better-known and better-rated manufacturers are generally easier to come by in the long run, even after your warranty has expired. Compare this with some fly-by-night brand you picked out of a hat online. Besides, with luck, the generally higher-quality materials that come with those higher price tags could stave off eventual repairs until you're ready to make plumbing fixture swaps by choice (like deciding whether or not matte black bathroom fixtures are still in style), rather than by necessity.