No. There's no such thing as completely maintenance-free faucets. Whether commercial or residential, all faucets require regular maintenance, even the most durable public restroom faucets. 

That said, does that mean that there are some low-maintenance faucets experts consider maintenance-free? Let's delve into that a little deeper. First, what are some other features to consider when shopping for commercial faucets?  

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), commercial buildings account for 17% of the water withdrawals from public supplies. That's why preservation is the top priority of conservation organizations like the EPA.

Restroom fixtures with low-maintenance requirements also conserve resources. Early leak detection, usage alerts, and maintenance schedule notifications are a few other benefits of purchasing low-maintenance plumbing products. 

Key Takeaways:

• No faucet is without maintenance requirements. If you have ever heard the term maintenance-free faucet, chances are the person meant "low-maintenance" models.

• Faucets have several components that require upkeep or replacement. Increase the lifecycle of your faucets by performing easy maintenance and repairs.

• Most of a commercial building's water usage is in the restrooms. Doing daily cleaning and minor repairs before they cause significant damage is the most prevalent type of maintenance.

• Flushing faucets will remove harmful and damaging debris. Choose an annual or semi-annual flushing schedule and always flush the system if the water to the building gets shut off.

Low Maintenance Vs. Maintenance-Free Faucets 

If you have ever heard the term maintenance-free faucet, chances are the person meant "low-maintenance" models. No faucet is completely without maintenance requirements. Regular maintenance will ensure the longevity of your commercial faucets and is something you should prioritize. 

If your faucets need maintenance, the video below discusses determining who your faucet's manufacturer is so you can maintain it. Use these instructions for either commercial or residential applications.

Faucets have many components that require upkeep or replacement. Increase the lifecycle of your faucets by replacing, repairing, and maintaining these components. Faucet parts and fittings range from items like:

• Adapters
• Aerators
• Cartridges
• Power supplies 
• Handles 
• Mixing valves
• Mounting hardware
• Repair parts 

Types of Regular Faucet Maintenance for Your Faucets   

Most of a commercial building's water usage is in the restrooms. According to the EPA, the following types of commercial buildings consume the most water in the lavatory:

• Educational facilities (45%)
• Office buildings (37%)
• Hospitals (35%)
• Restaurants (31%)
• Hotels (30%)

Maintaining your commercial faucets will not only ensure their longevity. It also helps lower water waste so that facilities can reduce overall usage. Here are the top types of maintenance you should perform on your faucets and their components.

1. Daily Cleaning and Minor Repairs   

Daily cleaning will help prevent lime and scale build-up on your faucets. Janitorial staff and maintenance workers delime commercial faucets weekly. 

Also, faucets in commercial kitchens get exposed to grease and harmful chemicals. Cleaning grease, grime, and harsh chemicals from the surface will ensure the faucet's durability and aesthetics. 

Commercial restroom faucets also require the same care as commercial kitchen fixtures. Check out the suggestions in this guide to commercial restroom hygiene for maintaining the cleanliness of your facility's lavatories.  

2. Programmable Faucet Calibration   

Touchless and metering faucets come with programmable units and battery supply packs. These elements require calibration. Generally, once a professional calibrates them, you shouldn't need to do them again. However, it is a good idea to check your programmable faucet units regularly for proper calibration in case of a malfunction.

3. System Flushing  

Hard water deposits and debris in the inlet line build up, creating blockage and unnecessary wear and tear on the fixture. These particles can be in the pipes even after flushing the building's plumbing system.

Flushing the faucets removes this harmful build and debris. You should flush the faucets quarterly or any time the building's water gets shut off or if users experience a decrease in water pressure or water flow. 

The optimal method for flushing faucets is to:

• Turn off the faucet's water supply 
• Remove the cartridge, springs, and seats  
• Cover surfaces
• Turn water supplies on 
• Deflect excess water into the sink
• Let water run for several seconds 
• Inspect cartridge and replace as needed
• Remove the aerator
• Open cold and hot water valves and let water run
• Rinse the aerators or replace with new ones

4. Cartridge Maintenance and Repair 

Faucets have additional components that require regular maintenance, such as cartridges. These fittings are the heart of any faucet. 

They regulate water flow rates and are the most vital components affecting performance. The leading faucet manufacturers usually offer an extensive collection of commercial-grade cartridges for you to purchase. 

The instruction below shows how to locate, remove, and replace a standard faucet cartridge. There are several to choose from, so make sure you contact your faucet manufacturer to get the specific instruction you will need for your faucet make and model.

5. Aerator Replacement and Maintenance     

These small, round devices screw onto the end of your faucets to produce a more consistent water stream. Aerators function by creating a mixture of air and water, causing the stream to be smoother. Standard faucet aerators limit water flow to 1.8 or 2.2 GPM (gallons per minute). Although that is an average, this number may vary depending on multiple factors.

The purpose of an aerator is to:

• Create wider streams of water
• Decrease water from splashing in the basin
• Boost flow rate performance
• Give drinking water a better taste
• Promote water conservation

Chicago Faucets Is the Leader of Maintenance-Free Faucets  

While we will never try to sell you a "maintenance-free" faucet, we will always offer the most durable commercial-grade faucets available. We manufacture our faucets from solid brass construction designed to handle the wear and tear of heavy use.

We design and engineer all our faucets and fittings to meet or exceed industry standards for performance and longevity. We recommend you take special care when cleaning and maintaining our plumbing products. 

You can ensure the life and looks of your fixtures by adhering to our care and maintenance instructions. We advise that you not use abrasive chemicals, cleaners, or solvents that could damage the surface and other valuable components. Mild soap and warm water will clean and protect the life of all your Chicago Faucet fittings.

Maintain the life of your faucets and fittings. Contact us today to learn more about proper faucet maintenance.