Faucet trouble that will not wait
Most dripping faucets can wait for a daytime visit. A valve that will not close, a fixture spraying under pressure or a handle that has come off in your hand cannot. Call (970) 708-6013 and the 24/7 line will dispatch a plumber, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Faucet repair covers kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtub spouts, shower valves, laundry and utility sinks, and outdoor hose bibs. The plumber finds the failed part, repairs or replaces it and tests that the fixture shuts off completely.
When a faucet or valve failure is an emergency
Do these things in order while you wait for the plumber.
- Close the shutoff valve under the sink by turning it clockwise. Both hot and cold have their own valves.
- If the valve will not turn or the water is behind a wall, shut off the main water valve for the whole house.
- Turn off power to any outlet or appliance near spraying water before you go near it.
- Put a bucket or towels under the leak and move belongings out of the way.
- Open a low faucet elsewhere in the house to relieve pressure once the main is closed.
If you cannot find the main valve, call anyway. The dispatcher can talk you through where it usually sits.
Faucet types and what usually fails
Different faucet designs wear out in different ways.
| Faucet design. | Common failure. | Typical repair. |
|---|---|---|
| Compression (two handles). | Worn washer or seat. | Replace the washer or reface the seat. |
| Cartridge. | Worn cartridge or o-rings. | Replace the cartridge. |
| Ball type. | Worn seals and springs. | Replace the repair kit. |
| Ceramic disc. | Damaged discs or seals. | Replace the cylinder. |
| Pull-down kitchen spout. | Failed hose or diverter. | Replace the hose or the spout. |
| Outdoor hose bib. | Leaking stem or cracked body. | Replace the stem or the fixture. |
If your fixture is older and parts are hard to find, replacing the whole faucet is often the more sensible move.
Handle off or valve spraying? Close the supply, then call the 24/7 line and tell the dispatcher which fixture failed.
Call (970) 708-6013Shutoff valves that break or will not close
The small valves under sinks and behind toilets sit for years without being turned. When you finally need them, they can seize, leak at the stem or break off. That is how a minor leak becomes a flooded cabinet.
A plumber can replace a failed shutoff valve and test it before leaving. If the main water valve for the house is the one that will not close, that is a bigger job, and the dispatcher may send someone with the right equipment right away.
Turning each valve once or twice a year keeps it from seizing. It takes a few seconds and can save you a bad night.
Tub and shower faucets and valves
A tub spout that drips or a shower that runs after the handle is closed usually points to a worn cartridge or valve seat inside the wall. A shower that goes cold or hot without warning can mean a failing pressure-balancing cartridge.
Some tub and shower repairs mean opening an access panel or the wall. The plumber will explain what is needed before starting, and whether the job is a quick cartridge swap or something larger.
Slow draining in the tub is a different problem. A hair-clogged tub drain is covered on the drain cleaning page.
How a faucet repair visit works
Shut off and inspect.
The plumber closes the supply and examines the faucet and the connections underneath.
Find the failed part.
A drip, spray or weak flow almost always traces to a specific washer, cartridge, hose or valve.
Repair or replace.
You hear whether a part swap will do the job or the faucet is worn out.
Test every setting.
Hot, cold, spray, drain and shutoff are tested before the plumber leaves.
What changes the price of faucet repair
A washer swap and a new faucet with a new shutoff are priced differently.
- Part or fixture A small internal part costs less than a whole faucet set.
- Brand and style Some faucets need a manufacturer part that takes longer to find.
- Where the problem sits A tub valve inside a wall is more work than a kitchen sink.
- Condition of the shutoffs If the shutoff valves are seized, they usually need replacing too.
- Time of the call An after-hours emergency is scheduled differently from a daytime visit.
Most homeowners policies cover sudden accidental water damage but not wear-related repair, and a worn faucet is usually treated as wear. Read your own policy to see what yours says. Call (970) 708-6013 for a clear price before work starts.
Hidden leaks that look like faucet problems
A wet cabinet floor or a damp ceiling below a bathroom is not always the faucet. It could be a supply line, a drain connection or a pipe in the wall. The plumber checks each in turn, starting with the easiest to reach.
If the water meter keeps moving after every fixture is off, leak detection is the right next step. Outdoor hose bibs add their own risk in cold weather, so mention any spigot that drips or is cracked.
Quick checks before you call
- Note which fixture is leaking and whether it is hot, cold or both.
- Check for water under the sink and behind the toilet to see if the leak is at the faucet or at a connection.
- Try closing the fixture shutoff to see if the leak stops, which tells the plumber where it begins.
- Take a photo of the faucet brand name if one is visible.
- Check whether the water meter is moving with every fixture closed.
These notes help the dispatcher choose parts and plan the visit. They are not required, so call anyway if you are in a hurry.
Faucet repair questions
Yes. The line at (970) 708-6013 is answered 24/7, and a spraying valve, a faucet that will not shut off or water pouring from a fixture are exactly the calls it handles. Close the supply valve first if you can.
A cheap internal part usually justifies a repair. If the faucet is old, corroded or parts are no longer made, replacement is usually the better value.
A worn washer, cartridge or seat is the usual cause. Over time the seal no longer closes fully, and water gets past it a drop at a time.
Turn off the main water valve for the house, then call the 24/7 line. The cartridge or valve inside the wall likely failed and needs to be replaced.
Yes. A leaking stem can be repaired, and a cracked body is replaced. Tell the dispatcher if water is running inside a wall or crawl space.
Yes. Hooking up faucets, supply lines and drains after new countertops or cabinets is routine work.
Yes. A leaking or seized shutoff valve is replaced as part of faucet and fixture repair.