Toilets & fixtures
Faucet repair and replacement
A dripping faucet is almost always a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring, and replacing that part stops the drip. Replacement of the whole faucet makes sense when the body is corroded, parts are no longer made, or the finish is failing.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
Faucets fall into four types: cartridge, ball, ceramic disc and compression. Each drips for a slightly different reason, and the repair part must match the brand and model. Low flow from one faucet is usually a clogged aerator or debris in the cartridge, not a pressure problem.
The plumber also checks what is under the sink. Supply lines, shutoff valves and the sprayer hose wear out too, and a slow leak there damages the cabinet long before anyone notices. Outdoor faucets that drip or leak inside the wall often have a frost-damaged stem or body.
Faucet Repair at a glance
- Usual cause of drips
- Worn cartridge, washer or O-ring
- Low flow at one faucet
- Clogged aerator or cartridge
- Also checked
- Supply lines and shutoff valves
- Outdoor faucets
- Frost damage is common
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What are the signs you need a plumber?
- A steady drip from the spout
- Water around the handle or base
- A handle that is stiff or won't shut off fully
- Low or uneven flow from one faucet
- Moisture or staining inside the sink cabinet
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Identify the faucet
The plumber determines the type and brand to match the right parts.
- 2
Repair or replace
The cartridge and seals are replaced, or a new faucet is installed.
- 3
Check below
Supply lines and shutoff valves are inspected and replaced if worn.
- 4
Test
The faucet is run hot and cold and checked for leaks above and below the sink.
What affects the cost of faucet repair?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Parts availability for the brand
- Repair versus full replacement
- Condition of shutoff valves and supply lines
- Access behind a deep sink or in a tight cabinet
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Unscrew and rinse the aerator
- Close the shutoff valves under the sink before any repair
- Take the old cartridge to the store to match it
Call a plumber when
- Don't force a seized shutoff valve; it can snap
- Call if an outdoor faucet leaks inside the wall when turned on
Faucet Repair questions
Is it worth fixing a dripping faucet?
Yes. A faucet dripping once a second wastes around 3,000 gallons a year, and the repair is usually one inexpensive part.
Why is the water pressure low at only one faucet?
The aerator at the tip of the spout is probably clogged with mineral grit. Unscrew it, rinse it and try again. If flow is still low, debris may be caught in the cartridge or supply line.
Can I supply my own faucet for a plumber to install?
Most plumbers will install a faucet you bought. Ask first, since some limit their warranty to the labor when the fixture is customer-supplied.
How long does faucet repair take?
Replacing a cartridge or washers takes 30 to 60 minutes when the part is available. Installing a new faucet takes about an hour, longer if the shutoff valves are seized.
Why does my faucet drip only at night?
Water pressure in the street rises at night when demand falls, and the extra pressure pushes water past a worn seal. A pressure-reducing valve and a new cartridge fix it.
How long do faucets last?
A good-quality faucet lasts 15 to 20 years, and cartridges usually need replacing once or twice in that time.
What is a frost-free outdoor faucet?
A frost-free faucet, or sillcock, has its shutoff seat 6 to 12 inches inside the heated wall, so no water sits in the exposed part. It still needs the hose disconnected in winter to drain.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Faucet Repair requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
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Need a plumber for this?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.