Perhaps you recently visited a friend’s home and noticed they have a beautiful, modern wall-mounted faucet arcing over their kitchen sink or bathtub. Since you love the elegant, unique design element this type of faucet adds, you begin to wonder whether you should install one in your home. However, before you commit to the project, you decide to do some research.
Before you install a wall-mounted faucet over your bathtub or sink, there are a few things you need to consider. So, if you’re looking for the pros and cons of these faucets, you’re in the right place! We’re here to explain the benefits, drawbacks, costs, and potential issues, so continue reading to learn more!
What Are Wall-Mounted Faucets?
As the name implies, wall-mounted faucets sit on the wall. Instead of resting on the sink deck or countertop, the assembly is fixed to the wall behind a sink or bathtub. This space-saving design was the go-to option in the early days of plumbing before deck-mounted faucets, but in recent years, it has resurfaced as a popular choice.
Since the faucet is mounted on the wall, all of its supply lines and pipes hide behind the wall. This is considerably different from a deck-mounted faucet, where the faucet’s supply pipes and lines are readily available underneath the sink, usually hidden within a base cabinet.
While this type of faucet is a popular pick due to its benefits, it has its fair share of drawbacks that are important to consider as you decide whether it’s a good option for your home.
Pros And Cons Of Wall-Mounted Faucets
Wall-mounted faucets are a popular pick for their abundant benefits, but there are two sides to every story. So, as you weigh your options, here are a few pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Versatile: Wall-mounted faucets work well with almost any bathroom aesthetic or layout, making them a popular choice for those seeking an out-of-the-box option.
- Compatible with various bathtubs and sinks: These faucets work well with many bathtubs and sinks, as they don’t require any pre-drilled holes for installation. Of course, you’ll need to find a model with a spout that extends far enough to direct water into the bowl.
- Widely available: Like deck-mounted faucets, wall-mounted faucets are widely available. They might be slightly less available than deck-mounted faucets, but given their popularity, there’s certainly no shortage of options.
- Saves space: A wall-mounted faucet might be the perfect solution if you have a compact bathroom without much counter space on the vanity. Since these faucets don’t rest on the sink or countertop, you can use that space for other things.
- No issues with water pooling: Since these faucets don’t rest on the sink deck, there are no issues with water pooling at the base of the faucet. This means hard water deposits are less likely to take up residence, which translates to easier cleaning.
- Easy to clean and maintain: Cleaning these faucets is quick and easy, as they sit well above the sink and out of the way. Generally, cleaning is as simple as a quick wipe-down with a soft cloth and a warm, soapy cleaning solution.
Cons
- Tricky to install: With a typical deck-mounted faucet, installation is simple – you fit the faucet into the pre-drilled holes in the bathtub or sink, then secure it to the underside of the setup and connect the plumbing and supply lines. However, with a wall-mounted faucet, you’ll need to access the inside of the wall, which means you might need to remove backsplash tile, drywall, and anything else in your way.
- Might not work with every sink or bathtub: Although these faucets work well with many sinks and bathtubs, they might not work with certain configurations. For instance, if your bathtub isn’t against a wall with plumbing access, this type of faucet won’t work.
- More difficult to repair: These faucets are more challenging to repair when an issue arises, as their components hide behind a wall. Accessing the parts can be tricky, making simple repairs an involved process.
- More expensive to install: If you decide to outsource the project to a professional, you can expect to pay more for the installation than you would for a deck-mounted faucet. The cost difference is primarily due to the complexity of the installation, although other factors can affect the price.
Are Wall-Mounted Faucets A Problem?
Wall-mounted faucets aren’t necessarily a problem, but they are trickier to install than an average faucet. They can be a headache to install, as the process often involves opening the wall to ensure everything lines up nicely.
This means you’ll need to remove parts of the backsplash, drywall, and anything else that interferes with the installation process before you can situate the faucet. On top of that, the faucet usually needs to sit between two wall studs. So, if the studs don’t align with where you want to position the tap, you’ll run into issues.
Aside from the potential stress around the installation process, you’ll need to ensure you place the faucet at the perfect height to offer comfortable use. You’ll also need to ensure the faucet spout is long enough to accommodate the type of sink you want to use (otherwise, the water might miss the sink basin).
So, while wall-mounted faucets aren’t a problem, they’re a bit trickier to work with than a typical deck-mounted faucet.
Do Wall-Mounted Faucets Leak?
Like any faucet, wall-mounted faucets might spring a leak from time to time. However, unlike a regular deck-mounted faucet, the problem may lie behind the wall. This can make the process of fixing the leak tricky, as you might need to access parts hidden in the wall to resolve the issue.
That said, most high-quality wall-mounted faucets are built with solid, sturdy components that are less susceptible to these issues. So, while the problem can happen, it might not be as commonplace as leak issues with a deck-mounted faucet.
Of course, these problems could occur when the faucet is improperly installed, causing water damage in the wall behind your faucet. This can create an expensive issue quickly, so installing the unit properly is essential. If you’re unfamiliar with these installations, it might be better to outsource the process to an experienced contractor.
How Much Does It Cost To Have A Wall-Mounted Faucet Installed?
As mentioned, it’s usually more costly to have a professional install a wall-mounted faucet than a deck-mounted faucet. The price increase hinges on the complexity of the installation, as wall-mounted faucets are trickier to install.
Of course, numerous factors can affect the total cost of your new faucet installation, but you should expect to pay more to have a wall-mounted faucet installed than you would for a deck-mounted tap. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $600 for a wall-mounted faucet installation.
However, more complicated installations can be considerably more expensive, with some costing upwards of $3,000 to complete the project. When the cost rises this high, there are usually issues associated with rerunning plumbing, repairing drywall and tiling, and asbestos abatement.
Can I Install A Wall-Mounted Faucet Myself?
Installing a wall-mounted faucet as a DIY project is entirely doable. However, if you’re unfamiliar with this type of project, you might want to consider outsourcing it to a professional. This is due to the complexity involved with these installations, as the project involves opening a wall and potentially rerouting plumbing.
So, if you’re unfamiliar with plumbing DIY projects, it might be best to pass this project on to a professional.