Locate the drip before you buy parts
Dry the faucet and the sink deck with a towel, then run the water and watch. A drip from the spout when the faucet is off points to a worn cartridge, washer or seat. Water at the base of the handle points to a worn O-ring or loose packing nut. Water at the base of the faucet where it meets the sink points to loose mounting or a failed gasket.
Also look under the sink. A wet cabinet floor may come from the supply lines, the shutoff valves or the drain, not the faucet. Wipe each connection dry and watch where the first bead forms.
Replacement faucets should meet the federal flow limit and, ideally, carry the EPA WaterSense label, and under-sink work follows the International Plumbing Code (IPC).
Which kind of faucet do you have
| Type | How to tell | Usual wear part |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles that tighten down | Rubber washer and seat |
| Cartridge | One or two handles that move smoothly | Cartridge and O-rings |
| Ball | Single handle over a rounded cap | Springs, seats and cam |
| Ceramic disc | Single handle, smooth, often newer | Disc cartridge |
| Pull-down spray | Kitchen faucet with a hose | Hose, quick connect or diverter |
The usual steps for a cartridge or washer repair
Shut off the water
Close the valves under the sink and open the faucet to release pressure.
Remove the handle
Pry off the cap, remove the screw and lift the handle.
Replace the part
Pull out the cartridge or washer and match it with a new one.
Reassemble and test
Reassemble, open the valves slowly and check for drips.
Finding the right replacement
Bring the old cartridge or washer to a hardware store. Match it by size and shape, and look for a brand name or model number stamped on the faucet. Photograph the faucet before you take it apart so you can reassemble it correctly.
If the faucet is old and the parts are hard to find, replacing it is often smarter than hunting. A new faucet with a good warranty also gives you a cleaner finish and better flow.
The shutoff valve problem
The valves under the sink often seize if they have not been turned in years. Forcing a stuck valve can snap its stem and flood the cabinet. If a valve will not turn fully, or leaks when you do turn it, stop and call. Replacing the valve is a small job for a plumber, and it keeps future repairs simple.
Replace braided supply lines at the same time if they are old. They can fail without warning, and the cost is small compared with the cost of water damage.
How to decide
Repair when the faucet is in good shape and the parts are easy to find. Replace when the finish is worn, when it leaks again soon after a repair or when you are already remodeling. A faucet that leaks at the base or the body, not at a seal, usually needs replacing.
Our faucet and sink repair page covers what a plumber checks. A kitchen faucet with a disposal and a dishwasher connection can have extra leak points under the sink. See garbage disposal repair if the water appears below the unit.
Why not to ignore a drip
A faucet that drips once a second wastes a surprising amount of water over a month, and it shows on your bill. More important, a slow leak under the sink soaks the cabinet floor, swells the particleboard and grows mold. By the time you notice the smell, the cabinet is often ruined.
Put a small container under the trap and check it weekly if you cannot fix the leak right away. That tells you whether it is getting worse.
Water quality and faucet wear in El Reno
Minerals in water wear faucet parts and clog aerators. The City of El Reno utility office at 405-262-4070 can share its water quality report, and a hardness test strip gives a quick number. If you see white crust at the aerator, soak it in vinegar and rinse.
The plumbing code that El Reno adopts also requires fixtures to meet water use limits, so a new faucet should carry a flow rating. Homes in Yukon and Piedmont follow their own city offices. For a leak in the supply to the faucet, ask whether a licensed plumber should handle it, and confirm the license on the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board lookup.
Source type: City water utility and plumbing code
Questions El Reno homeowners ask
A worn cartridge, washer or seat is the usual cause. Replace the part or the faucet.
Many homeowners can with a repair kit. Stuck shutoff valves or damaged fixtures are reasons to call.
Often under an hour for a repair. A replacement takes a little longer.
A drip is not. Spraying water or a flooded cabinet is. Close the valves and call the 24/7 line.
It may be the supply lines, valves or drain, not the faucet. A plumber can trace it.