When a faucet problem cannot wait
A dripping faucet is a slow waste. A faucet that will not shut off, or a supply line spraying under the sink, is an emergency. Close the shutoff valves under the sink, or the main valve if they will not turn, and call the 24/7 line. We book same-day visits when a technician is free.
Empty the cabinet under the sink so the plumber can reach the valves, and put a bowl under any slow drip.
What the leak location tells you
Where the water shows up points to the failing part.
Drip from the spout
A worn cartridge, washer or seat. Parts-level repair for most models.
Water at the base of the handle
Worn O-rings or a loose packing nut.
Pool inside the cabinet
Supply lines, shutoff valves or the drain connection.
Low flow from the spout
A clogged aerator or a stuck cartridge, often from mineral scale.
Mineral scale and faucets in Santee
Padre Dam Municipal Water District's 2023 report lists hardness of roughly 9 to 18 grains per gallon depending on the plant. The mineral crust that forms at the spout tip and inside cartridges is a typical result, and it stiffens handles and cuts flow.
Unscrewing the aerator and soaking it in vinegar clears a minor blockage. If the handle is stiff or the faucet still drips, a cartridge swap or a replacement faucet is the next move. Quarter-turn shutoff valves, which are cheap to replace, also seize in hard water.
Repair or replace the faucet
Age, finish and parts availability decide.
| Condition | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from a recent faucet | New cartridge or seat | Not needed |
| Corroded finish or pitted body | No | Yes |
| Discontinued model, no parts | No | Yes |
| Seized shutoff valves | Replace the valves | Do this with a faucet swap |
For a fixture that clogs, see drain cleaning. For a new sink or tub install, see plumbing installation.
How a faucet repair goes
It is usually quick.
- 1
Shut off and inspect
The plumber closes the valves and checks the leak location.
- 2
Remove and diagnose
Handle and cartridge come out, and wear is easy to see.
- 3
Replace parts or fixture
A matching cartridge, O-rings or a new faucet goes in.
- 4
Test for leaks
Water is run and all connections checked.
Choosing a replacement faucet
When a faucet is past repair, pick one that fits the sink holes, the supply lines and the way you use it. A single-handle kitchen faucet with a pull-down sprayer suits most kitchens. For a bathroom, check the number of holes in the sink and the spread between handles before you buy.
Brass-bodied faucets with ceramic cartridges tend to outlast plastic ones, and a common brand makes replacement parts easy to find. We install a faucet you supply or help you pick one, and we replace the shutoff valves and supply lines at the same time so the new fixture is not connected to old, seized parts.
Standards and the fixtures you buy
Faucet parts that touch drinking water should carry NSF/ANSI 61 certification, which covers materials in contact with potable water. Lead limits for plumbing fixtures are set by federal rules, so a quality replacement cartridge or faucet will say it is lead-free on the package.
The California Plumbing Code, based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), also sets flow limits for new faucets. Ask for a model that meets them, since an older high-flow faucet may not be sold or installed as new.
What affects the cost of faucet repair
Costs vary with the fixture.
Faucet repair questions
Yes. The 24/7 line is open. We send a licensed plumber as soon as one is free, with same-day visits when available.
Yes. The cartridge or stem is usually worn. If the shutoff valves under the sink do not work, they are replaced too.
A clogged aerator or a scaled cartridge is common. Hard water makes this more likely.
Yes. Bring the faucet or ask us to supply one.
The City of Santee says fixing leaks in valves or fixtures is exempt when no valves, pipes or fixtures are replaced or rearranged. Replacing a faucet is a different question, so ask Planning and Building.
That is a hidden leak. See leak detection.