A faucet that will not shut off is a small flood waiting to happen
A steady drip wastes water but can wait. A faucet that will not shut off, a handle that came off in your hand, or a supply line spraying under the sink cannot. Close the small shutoff valve under the sink by turning it clockwise. If there is no valve or it will not turn, close the main shutoff and call.
Our 24/7 line takes faucet emergencies. Tell us whether the water is coming from the spout, the handle, or the lines under the sink, since each points to a different repair.
Four faucet designs and how each one fails
Knowing the design helps explain why a drip appears.
Compression faucets.
Two handles with rubber washers that wear and let water seep past the seat. The fix is usually a new washer and seat.
Cartridge faucets.
A cartridge controls flow and temperature. Worn seals cause drips and temperature swings. Replacing the cartridge restores the faucet.
Ball and disc faucets.
Common in kitchens. Springs, seats and seals wear and leak at the base. Rebuild kits cover most of these repairs.
Pull-down and touchless faucets.
Hoses, connectors and sensors fail more often than the valve. The plumber tests each part.
How a faucet repair goes
Most repairs take a single visit.
- 1
Shut off and open it up.
The plumber closes the supply and disassembles the faucet to see which part is worn.
- 2
Decide repair or replace.
If the faucet body is corroded or the model is obsolete, replacement may cost less than chasing parts.
- 3
Price before work.
You hear the price for the repair and the price for a replacement faucet before anything is done.
- 4
Reassemble and test.
The plumber tests hot and cold, checks the supply lines and shutoff valves, and looks for drips under the sink.
Faucet will not shut off?
Close the valve under the sink and call. A plumber can start today.
Faucet symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from the spout. | Worn washer, seat or cartridge. | Replace the wearing part. |
| Leak at the handle. | Worn O-ring or packing. | Replace O-rings or stem. |
| Low flow. | Mineral buildup in the aerator. | Clean or replace the aerator. |
| Hot and cold mix wrong. | Failed cartridge or mixing valve. | Replace the cartridge. |
| Water under the sink. | Supply line or shutoff failure. | Replace the line or valve. |
Low flow on only one faucet is usually local. Low flow across the house points to pressure or main supply issues, which is a different diagnosis.
Why Roy faucets clog and wear
Weber Basin reports hardness of 10 to 18 grains per gallon for the water it supplies, and Roy blends that water with its own wells. Hard water leaves white scale on aerators and inside cartridges. That scale is the usual reason for reduced flow and for seals that wear faster than expected.
The city's water plan describes delivery pressure of 60 to 90 psi. Faucets are built for that range, but the upper end shortens the life of seals and supply lines. If a faucet fails sooner than you would expect, ask the plumber to check pressure along with the repair.
Simple faucet habits
A faucet lasts longer when you treat it gently.
- Avoid forcing a handle past its stop.
- Unscrew the aerator and soak it in vinegar every few months.
- Replace braided supply lines every several years.
- Know where the shutoff under the sink is and test it twice a year.
- Replace a leaky faucet before the seat is damaged.
What decides the price of a faucet repair
Insurance rarely covers a worn faucet, but may cover water damage from a sudden failure. Ask your insurer.
What to do before help arrives when a faucet fails
A failed faucet is usually a water problem first.
- Close the small shutoff valve under the sink, turning it clockwise.
- If that valve will not turn, close the main shutoff and do not force it.
- Keep towels or a bucket under any spray or drip.
- Move cleaning products and anything that can be damaged out of the cabinet.
- Do not use the sink until the plumber has looked at the leak.
When a faucet is part of something bigger
A single faucet repair is simple, but a sink with a slow drain may need drain cleaning, and one with a jammed unit below it belongs with garbage disposal repair. Replacing several fixtures at once is covered under plumbing installation. Homeowners in Riverdale call us for all of these. Rental tenants in Cozydale should check their lease before booking a repair.
Questions about faucet repair
Yes. A drip wastes water and raises your bill over time, and a worn seat gets harder to repair the longer it drips.
Yes. Bring the faucet or tell us the model when you call, and the plumber will confirm that it fits your sink and supply setup.
A clogged aerator or a partly closed shutoff valve is the usual cause. If every faucet is low, the problem is elsewhere, and the plumber can test the house pressure.
Do not force it. Close the main shutoff instead and call. A failed shutoff valve is replaced as part of the repair.