Fair points, but honestly, electronic faucets aren't as finicky as people think. I've installed them in a couple rental units and they've held up surprisingly well. Quick thoughts from experience:
- Batteries last way longer than you'd expect—usually a year or more.
- Sensors rarely malfunction if you buy decent quality (cheap ones...different story).
- Tenants actually like them, fewer complaints about leaks or handles breaking.
I get the appeal of simplicity, but don't write off electronic faucets completely—they've saved me some headaches.
Good insights there, especially on sensor quality—I've had similar experiences. One issue I've seen occasionally though is mineral buildup affecting the sensors in hard water areas. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's a pain to clean thoroughly. Have you noticed much difference in maintenance needs between electronic faucets and the traditional cartridge or ball-type faucets in your rentals? Curious if location or water hardness plays a big role for others too...
Yeah, I've definitely noticed mineral buildup being a headache, especially with electronic faucets. In my experience, the sensors seem more sensitive to mineral deposits compared to traditional cartridge or ball faucets. I've got a rental in an area with pretty hard water, and I ended up installing a water softener just to cut down on maintenance. Before that, I was constantly dealing with sensor misfires or sluggish responses—really annoying.
On the flip side, traditional faucets aren't immune either. I've had cartridges get stiff or leaky from buildup too, but at least they're straightforward to clean or swap out. Electronic ones can be trickier because you have to be careful not to damage the sensor components when cleaning.
Honestly, location and water quality make a huge difference. My brother lives in an area with soft water and he barely touches his faucets, electronic or otherwise. Lucky guy...
Does installing a water softener really help that much with buildup? I'm new to homeownership and our water seems pretty hard... worried about sensor faucets acting up. Is it worth the investment, or are regular cleanings enough?
Installing a water softener can significantly reduce mineral buildup, especially if your water's noticeably hard. Regular cleanings help, sure, but sensors in faucets are sensitive—softened water usually means fewer issues and longer lifespan for fixtures. It's an upfront cost, but often worth it long-term.
