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A bathtub faucet generally lasts 15 to 20 years, but this can depend on the type of finish and the overall quality of the faucet. Investing in higher-quality faucets often pays off with a longer-lasting product. Additional factors such as hard water, rust, or damage during use can shorten the life span of the faucet.

It's worthwhile to invest in the cost of repairing a leaky faucet if it's newer, but it's advisable to replace it if it's over 20 years old. The severity of the leak also plays a big role. Faucets with major leaks are often not worth the money or hassle of attempting repairs. Generally, a new faucet that leaks probably just needs a part tightened, but for an older faucet, it's a sign that it's time to replace it. Other signs you need to replace the faucet include rust, mineral deposits, or old age.

It usually takes a pro no more than an hour to replace a faucet. However, certain installations are more complex and time-consuming, such as pulling out the plumbing or putting in a showerhead. These types of jobs may take a few hours or even the better part of a day.

There are a few telltale signs that a tub cartridge needs replacing. These include:

• Dripping water from the faucet

• Difficulty turning faucet handles

• Difficulty or inability to adjust water temperatures

• Hot water coming out of cold-water faucets and vice versa

• Inadequate heating of water

Yes, you can change a bathtub faucet without turning the water off, but only if you’re changing the faucet spout alone. If you’re changing the entire valve assembly, then the water must get shut off first. If there’s an individual shutoff valve for the bathtub, you can change the faucet without shutting off the entire water main line.