Tips And TricksUpdated June 30, 2026
Kitchen fixtures in Glencoe homes see daily action, and over time, older faucets can drip, clog, or just feel outdated. Upgrading to a touchless kitchen faucet brings convenience, helps reduce mess, and avoids spreading grime or bacteria onto handles. Many local homes are over 50 years old, so updating key fixtures can have a bigger impact than you might expect, especially in well-used spaces like the kitchen.
Why Touchless Faucets Make Sense in Glencoe Kitchens
In homes throughout Glencoe, kitchen taps get constant use, sometimes by a parade of family members, guests, or busy cooks. With a touchless faucet, you activate water flow with a wave of your hand or the motion of a pan, meaning no more turning knobs with sticky fingers. This cuts down on fingerprints, reduces cleanup, and limits transfer of germs across surfaces. The local water supply, sourced from Lake Michigan, is moderately hard, so spotting and buildup are common. Touchless faucets often come with finishes that handle water spots and mineral residue better than older models.
What to Look for When Selecting a Touchless Faucet
- Power Source: Most touchless faucets run on AA/AAA batteries or plug into an outlet. Battery-operated models are easy to retrofit, but plan to swap batteries every six months to two years.
- Sensitivity and Range: Choose a faucet with adjustable sensors. Some have fine-tuned ranges to prevent accidental triggers from nearby movement.
- Finish: In kitchens with hard water, brushed nickel or matte finishes hide spots better than polished chrome.
- Splash Control: Look for models with aerated spray, as this reduces splashing in deeper sinks or when rinsing large items.
- Manual Override: Make sure your faucet lets you manually turn it on if the sensor ever malfunctions or the batteries die.
Installation Tips for Older Glencoe Homes
Many Glencoe kitchens still have their original supply lines or older shutoff valves, especially in homes built mid-century or earlier. Before installing any new faucet, we inspect for galvanized or corroded copper pipes. These can restrict flow and sometimes need replacement. If you notice water pressure changes after installing a fixture, this could signal buildup or partial blockage in the supply line. Our pipe repair and repiping team is experienced in bringing older setups up to current standards.
Touchless faucets often require a hole for the control box under the sink and a dependable power source. Kitchens with limited outlets may need a battery-powered model, but we always check for leaks at the supply connections and ensure all hoses have enough slack. Clay-rich soils in Glencoe can raise the risk of basement seepage, so we pay close attention to trap seals and make sure nothing under the sink will leak and contribute to moisture problems.
Key Steps to Safe and Effective Faucet Upgrades
- Shut off the water at the main or local valve before beginning.
- Disconnect the old faucet, checking the supply lines for corrosion.
- Install any mounting hardware and set up the sensor box for touchless models.
- Attach the new supply lines, making sure they're free of debris and fully tightened.
- Test all joints for leaks before restoring water flow.
- Calibrate sensor range to suit the depth of your sink and counter setup.
Our faucet and fixture installation crew uses plumber's tape and new washers at every connection to minimize leaks, a common issue if older compression fittings aren't replaced during upgrades.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make With Touchless Faucets
Touchless faucets are straightforward to use, but we've seen a few routine pitfalls. Not replacing the supply lines at installation can lead to leaks, especially if the old ones are brittle or the washers are worn. Another common issue is skipping the sensor calibration, which can cause water to turn on with every pass or fail to respond when needed. Without a manual override, a dead battery can render the faucet useless until you change it. Glencoe's hard water means cleaning the aerator and sensors regularly is key, or you can run into mineral buildup and sluggish performance.
Periodic checks for leaks under the sink are important, especially if your home has a history of moisture issues. If you ever notice water pooling or musty odors, our leak detection and repair team can help track down the source. Older homes can also benefit from checking for overall supply line corrosion, which is often addressed during repiping upgrades.
Keeping Your Kitchen Running Smoothly
Alongside touchless faucet upgrades, Glencoe kitchens often call for other fixture improvements, like new garbage disposals or updated trap assemblies for better drainage. If your drain lines are slow or making noise, it may be time for drain cleaning or to inspect for partial blockages. Touchless faucets can reduce how much food waste and greasy residue reaches the handles, but keeping the sink and traps free of debris is still important for long-term performance.
our experienced team can coordinate touchless faucet upgrades with other projects like kitchen remodeling to ensure everything is up to code and fits your daily routine.
If you're considering a touchless kitchen faucet or want a professional assessment of your kitchen plumbing, our crew can help. Call us at 224-269-8107 for straightforward advice and reliable installation anywhere in Glencoe.