What your faucet is telling you
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from the spout | Worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace the cartridge or valve |
| Leak at the base of the handle | Worn O-ring or loose packing | Replace seals |
| Low flow | Clogged aerator or valve | Clean aerator and check valves |
| Hot and cold mix wrong | Failed cartridge | Replace the cartridge |
| Water under the sink | Loose supply line or failed trap seal | Tighten or replace |
Water under the cabinet
Check these before anything else
A small puddle under a sink is easy to ignore, and expensive when ignored.
- Close the shutoff valves on the hot and cold supply lines.
- Empty the cabinet and dry it with towels.
- Run the water and watch where the first drop appears.
- Call the 24/7 line if the leak is at a valve, a pipe joint or a supply hose.
Why faucets clog and wear
Minerals in the water collect on aerators and inside cartridges and cut the flow. If you see white crusting, test your water. The City of El Reno can share its water quality report, and a hardness test strip is inexpensive.
A water softener protects faucets and fixtures. Until then, unscrewing the aerator and soaking it in vinegar restores flow.
New faucets sold in the United States must meet federal flow limits, and a faucet carrying the EPA WaterSense label meets a stricter efficiency standard, which the International Plumbing Code (IPC) also references for flow rates.
Faucet leaking?
Call the 24/7 line. A licensed plumber can be scheduled the same day when available.
When to replace instead of repair
Corroded or pitted finish
A worn finish will not improve with a new cartridge.
Repeated leaks
Parts for old faucets can be hard to find.
Remodel
A new sink and faucet go together.
Water saving
Modern faucets use less water.
Kitchen sinks come with extra parts
A kitchen sink often has a disposal and a dishwasher connection under it. Leaks there are different from a faucet leak. See garbage disposal repair if the unit is humming, jammed or leaking from the bottom.
Know what kind of faucet you have
Most household faucets fall into four types. Compression faucets have separate hot and cold handles and use rubber washers that wear out. Cartridge and ball faucets have a single handle and a sealed insert that is replaced as one part. Ceramic disc faucets are smooth and long lived, but a cracked disc means a new cartridge.
Knowing the type helps the plumber bring the right part. Take a photo of the faucet and any brand name stamped on the base or handle, and send the details when you call. Finding a cartridge for a discontinued model is often what pushes a repair into replacement.
Small habits that keep faucets working
- Unscrew and soak aerators in vinegar every few months if your water is hard.
- Turn handles gently. Over-tightening wears seats and washers.
- Exercise the shutoff valves under sinks once a year so they do not seize.
- Replace braided supply lines every several years, since they fail without warning.
- Wipe fixtures dry after use if you see mineral spots forming.
What affects faucet and sink repair cost
Faucet and sink questions
Yes, if water is flooding. The line is open 24/7. A licensed plumber is scheduled the same day when one is available. A simple drip can usually wait for daytime.
It adds up over weeks, and you will see it on your bill. Fix a drip sooner rather than later.
Many homeowners do. Shutoff valves that are corroded or stuck are the usual trouble. A plumber can replace them at the same visit.
That is a drain problem, not a faucet problem. Try a plunger, and call if it returns. See drain cleaning.
Yes. Disconnect hoses before a freeze and use frost-free hose bibs where possible.
Related services
Toilet
Toilet repair covers the other bathroom fixture.
Disposal
Garbage disposal repair handles kitchen sinks.
Hidden water
Leak detection finds leaks behind the wall.