Faucet Repair in Leander, TX

Calls about a faucet often start with, “It keeps dripping,” “the handle just spins,” or “hardly any water comes out.” We translate those descriptions into a check of the handle, cartridge, spout, aerator, supply lines, and shutoff valves beneath the sink. A kitchen faucet and a bathroom faucet can make the same sound while failing at different parts.

We also hear about water collecting around the faucet base, a handle that takes both hands to move, or a stream that sprays sideways into the sink. Mineral buildup can restrict an aerator, while a worn cartridge can let water pass after the handle closes. A slow drip can usually wait for planned repair, but a faucet that will not shut off or sends water into the cabinet should not wait because water can soak the sink base and keep running through the meter.

Dripping tap and loose handle

A steady drip from the spout after the handle closes often points to a worn cartridge, stem seal, washer, or valve seat. A faucet that squeals, chatters, or bangs as water flows can involve a loose washer, restricted aerator, or pressure movement in the supply line. Low flow from one faucet, while the rest of the house has normal flow, commonly starts at the aerator or cartridge rather than the main water line.

A handle that turns without changing the water, pulls away from the faucet body, or becomes hard to move can have a stripped adapter, loose set screw, corroded stem, or seized cartridge. Water appearing at the base of the spout can come from O-rings inside the faucet rather than from the countertop seal. These symptoms can look alike from above the sink, but the failed part, access under the fixture, and required repair can lead to different work and different costs.

Sink valve inspection

We start at the faucet body, run both hot and cold water, and watch the spout, handle, spray hose, and base for leaks. We remove the aerator where needed, check for debris, and test the shutoff valves under the sink before taking the faucet apart. We can also measure water pressure at the fixture; residential pressure commonly falls between 40 and 80 psi, although a restricted faucet can show poor flow even within that range.

A straightforward aerator cleaning, handle repair, cartridge replacement, or O-ring change can often be completed during the same visit when the correct part is available and the shutoffs operate. An inspection and basic disassembly commonly take 20 to 40 minutes, while corrosion, a seized retaining nut, or a concealed faucet mounting bracket can add time. We book a return visit when a cartridge, valve stem, specialty hose, or manufacturer-specific part has to be ordered, or when cabinet access requires more extensive work.

Seized shutoffs and cartridge access

The age of the faucet matters because older cartridges, stems, and retaining clips may no longer match current replacement parts. A common faucet with an accessible cartridge beneath the handle generally involves less work than a discontinued model with a specialty valve body. The make stamped on the spout or handle can help us determine whether a repair part remains available.

Access under the sink also changes the work. A shutoff valve that turns freely lets us isolate the faucet, while a seized, corroded, or leaking shutoff can require additional attention before we can remove the cartridge or supply hose. Tight cabinets, a garbage disposal beside the water lines, damaged mounting hardware, and an ordered part can each move the repair toward a longer or return visit.

Model number and faucet plate

Before calling, check which room holds the faucet and whether it serves a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bar sink, or utility sink. Look for the brand name on the spout, handle, escutcheon plate, or installation papers, and keep any model number from the box or receipt nearby. Tell us whether water drips from the spout, escapes around the handle, leaks into the cabinet, or runs continuously.

We also need to know whether the hot and cold shutoff valves sit within reach under the sink and whether a disposal, pullout hose, or stored items block the cabinet. A photo of the faucet and the space beneath the sink can help identify the cartridge style and mounting arrangement before we arrive. Call LK Plumbing Company Leander at (512) 563-3818 before a continuing drip wears the cartridge or valve seat further and sends more water through the faucet.