Telltale signs: faucet repair
Most faucet complaints fall into a few familiar groups: a drip from the spout when the handle is closed, water seeping around the base, a handle that wobbles or turns too far, or flow that has faded to a trickle. Each points to a different worn part, and each is usually repairable without replacing the whole fixture.
If the faucet is cracked or corroded beyond saving, kitchen faucet installation covers the alternative.
What we bring
- Cartridges, stems, seats, O-rings and repair kits
- Quarter-turn stops and compression sleeves
- Differential pressure gauge and seat tools
Tested before we leave
- Valve cycled fully open and closed
- Hot and cold checked at the right sides
- Drips watched for ten minutes
On the job: what we open, clear and test
The supply valves under the sink are closed first. Where they are seized, we tell you and suggest replacing them at the same time, since they will be needed again. The faucet is then opened up and the faulty part identified.
- Compression faucets with two handles usually need new washers and seats.
- Cartridge faucets need a matching cartridge from the same manufacturer.
- Ball and disc faucets need seals, springs or the disc assembly replaced.
- Low flow often comes from a clogged aerator or debris in the cartridge.
After reassembly, we run both hot and cold, check underneath for drips, and adjust the handle stop.
What can change the job
Identifying the brand and model makes the biggest difference. Common makes have parts widely available; older or discontinued faucets may need a little searching. Hard water tends to fuse cartridges in place, and pulling them out without harming the body takes care. Access under a deep vanity or behind a garbage disposal can also add time; see garbage disposal installation if that unit is part of the problem.
Etobicoke homes and this job
Toronto's municipal water is moderately hard, and the mineral deposits it leaves are a common cause of stiff handles and reduced flow in Etobicoke kitchens. Many homes from the 1950s and 1960s still have their original two-handle laundry tub faucets in the basement, which usually just need new washers to give years more service.
Before you call
Note the brand name on the faucet if visible and take a photo of it and the valves underneath. Knowing where your main water shut-off is is useful in case the fixture valves will not close.
Repair or replace?
We will say honestly which makes more sense. When the faucet body is cracked, the finish is badly pitted, or parts are no longer made, putting money into repairs is a poor bargain. In other cases a well-made fixture needs only a cartridge and a pair of O-rings to give many more years of good service. If replacement is the better path, we can talk about the style and mounting holes on your sink so the new faucet fits without surprises, and we will leave the old parts with you if you would like to keep them.