A faucet that will not shut off, or a supply line spraying under the vanity, is a problem for tonight and not next week. Emergency faucet repair in Erlanger, KY starts with stopping the water at the nearest valve, and the 24/7 line is there for when that valve is stuck or missing.
Most faucet trouble comes from one worn internal part, not from the whole fixture. The plumber identifies the faucet type, replaces the failed seal or cartridge when the body is sound, and says plainly when a replacement faucet is the better buy.
Four faucet designs and the part that wears in each
A faucet is a valve with a handle and a spout. What sits inside the valve decides how it leaks and what it takes to fix. Looking at the handle style narrows it down, and the plumber confirms by taking the handle off.
Brass bodies last a long time, but the rubber and ceramic parts inside them do not. That is why most faucet repairs are small even when the leak looks dramatic.
Compression faucets
These have separate hot and cold handles that you turn several times. A rubber washer at the end of the stem wears flat or hard, and the drip begins at the spout.
Cartridge faucets
A single sealed cartridge slides inside the body and controls flow and temperature. O-rings fail first, causing drips at the base of the handle, and the whole cartridge is swapped when the ports wear.
Ball and disc faucets
A ball faucet uses a slotted ball with rubber seats and springs. A ceramic disc faucet uses two polished discs, and sediment scratching them is the usual reason it drips.
Water will not stop at the sink: shut it off in this order
Work from the fixture back toward the house main. Each valve you close cuts off a bigger part of the system, and you stop as soon as the water stops.
Fixture stops under the sink
Two small oval or round handles on the supply lines, hot on the left and cold on the right. Turn them clockwise until snug and no more.
No stops, or they will not turn
Do not force a corroded stop. It can snap and make the flow worse, so go to the next valve.
The house main valve
Find it where the water line enters the building, often near the water meter or the water heater. Turning it clockwise shuts off the entire house.
Then call the line
Say which faucet it is and where the water is going. Keep the main closed until the plumber gives the all-clear.
Where the water shows up and what it points to
The location of the leak is the quickest clue to the failed part. This table lists the most common patterns on household faucets.
| Where it leaks | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the spout tip | Worn washer, seat or cartridge | Replace the internal seal parts |
| Pools around the handle base | Dried O-ring or loose packing nut | New O-rings, tighten packing |
| Seeps out where spout meets body | Cut or flattened spout O-rings | Replace O-rings, relubricate |
| Puddle inside the vanity cabinet | Cracked supply line or leaking stop | Replace line or shutoff valve |
| Handle moves but flow is weak | Clogged aerator or worn cartridge | Clean aerator, replace cartridge |
| Hot and cold mix when off | Failed check stops or cartridge | Replace cartridge, inspect stops |
Hard water scale and sediment can shorten the life of any of these parts. Test your tap, and ask NKWD for its annual water quality report if you want to know what is in the water.
Handle stuck open or a line spraying?
Close the stops under the sink or the house main, then call. A licensed plumber can be dispatched around the clock.
Rebuild the faucet or swap in a new one
A repair is cheaper in parts, while a replacement fixes several small problems at once. The right answer depends on the faucet in your sink.
Rebuilding is the better call when
- The finish and spout are in good shape
- Parts for that model are easy to get
- Only one seal or cartridge has failed
- You like the faucet and its reach
A new faucet is the better call when
- The body is pitted, cracked or flaking
- The handle threads are stripped
- Replacement parts cost close to a new unit
- You want a different style or spray head
When a new faucet is the answer, installing a new fixture covers the supply lines, the stops and the drain connection together.
Faucets that are not at the kitchen sink
Calls for faucet repair cover more fixtures than the one over the dishes.
Tub spouts and diverters
A spout that dribbles after the shower starts has a worn diverter. The fix is a new diverter or spout.
Shower valves and trim
A shower that drips between uses has a worn cartridge behind the handle. The wall stays closed for most of these repairs.
Laundry and utility sinks
These faucets work hard and are often left with hoses attached. Check the stops and hoses first.
Outdoor hose spigots
A hose left attached in freezing weather can trap water in the spigot and split the pipe inside the wall. Spigots that drip inside the house after a freeze need attention quickly.
Washer and fridge valves
Small supply valves behind appliances weep before they fail. They are repaired with the same shutoff and replacement steps.
Five minutes at the sink before you call
Small checks give the dispatcher a better picture and sometimes solve the problem outright.
- Close both stops under the sink and see if the drip stops
- Look for wetness on the supply lines and the cabinet floor
- Unscrew the aerator and rinse out any grit
- Note whether the leak is hot side, cold side or both
- Check the water bill for a recent rise you cannot explain
- Keep the old cartridge or washer if it comes out in your hand
How a faucet repair is priced
A drip and a burst supply line do not cost the same. The plumber looks first, then tells you the price for the actual work before starting.
Faucet type and brand availability
Common cartridges are easy to find. Older or specialty faucets may need parts ordered, which can mean a second visit.
Repair or replacement
A new faucet adds the fixture itself and a short installation, which are quoted together.
Shutoff valve condition
If the stops under the sink are seized, they are replaced too, and that adds parts and labor.
Access
A tub or shower valve behind a wall costs more than a kitchen faucet you can reach from the cabinet.
Time of the call
After-hours emergencies are priced differently from scheduled visits, and you are told which one applies.
A sudden pipe or supply line failure that floods a cabinet may fall under a homeowners policy, while a slow drip over months usually does not. Take your own photos and call your insurer. The plumber can describe the failed part for your claim.
Tell the dispatcher what the faucet is doing and hear the price first.
Call (859) 900-9164Faucet Repair Questions From Erlanger Homeowners
The seal inside is worn. In a compression faucet it is a rubber washer, and in a cartridge faucet it is the O-rings or the cartridge itself. Tightening the handle harder only damages the seat.
A repair that replaces those parts usually stops the drip for good.
Yes. The 24/7 line answers day and night, and same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows. A broken supply line or a faucet that will not turn off goes out as an emergency.
Close the stops under the sink or the house main while you wait. The dispatcher will not promise an arrival time, but will tell you what to expect.
Yes. EPA WaterSense says household leaks can waste nearly 10,000 gallons a year, and a steady faucet drip adds to that. It also stains sinks and wears the seat so the repair gets bigger.
Hot water drips also waste the energy used to heat it.
Yes, and it is a good idea if the old stop is crusty, hard to turn or weeping. A stop that fails to close is the first thing you need in an emergency.
The plumber shuts the house main for that step, so the water is off for a short time.
Shut the water off at the interior stop for that spigot if there is one, or at the house main. Water inside a wall after a freeze can mean a split pipe, which may need burst pipe repair and not a washer swap.
Do not reattach a hose until the spigot has been checked.
A clogged aerator is the most common reason. Unscrew it, rinse out the grit and put it back. If pressure is still low, the cartridge may be worn or the supply stop partly closed.