When a faucet is an emergency
A drip is a nuisance. A valve that will not shut off, a handle that came off in your hand with water running, or a supply line spraying under the sink is an emergency. Look under the sink for two small stop valves and turn each clockwise to close it.
If a stop valve spins freely or will not move, go straight to the main water valve and shut it. Then open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the line. Call us at any hour and a plumber will schedule the repair, with same-day appointments when available.
- Water running from a faucet that will not close.
- A supply line spraying or dripping under the sink.
- A stop valve that will not turn or leaks around the stem.
- Water pooling in the cabinet with no visible source.
Why faucets leak
Faucets leak because a moving part wears out. Which part depends on the faucet design, and knowing the type tells you whether the fix is a small part or a new faucet.
| Faucet type | Part that usually fails | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Two-handle compression | Rubber washer and seat | New washer, resurface or replace the seat |
| Single-handle cartridge | Cartridge or its O-rings | Replace the cartridge |
| Single-handle ball | Springs, seats and O-rings | Rebuild kit or replace the faucet |
| Ceramic disc | Disc seals | Replace the disc cartridge |
| Pull-down kitchen spout | Hose, weight or spray head | Replace the hose or head |
Sink repairs under the cabinet
Plenty of sink water problems start below the counter. A P-trap with a loose slip nut drips only when the sink drains. A cracked supply line leaks all the time. Dry the pipes with a towel and watch where the first bead of water forms.
- Loose or worn slip nuts and trap washers.
- Supply lines that are cracked, kinked or corroded at the nut.
- Stop valves that seize or weep at the stem.
- Sprayer hoses and diverters that leak behind the sink.
- Slow drains, which we clear as drain cleaning work.
Cannot get the water off? A plumber is on the 24/7 line. Call now.
Call (855) 575-2890Repair it or replace the faucet
A new cartridge or washer is often all it takes. Replace the faucet when the body is pitted or corroded, the finish is flaking, parts for that model are no longer sold, or you have repaired the same faucet more than once.
If you want a different faucet, bring us the model or tell us the hole count in the sink. A three-hole sink will not take a single-hole faucet without a cover plate, and the wrong spout reach splashes outside the basin.
What a repair visit looks like
- Shut off the water. We close the stop valves and confirm the faucet is dead before taking it apart.
- Find the failed part. We pull the handle and cartridge or washer and check the seat for scoring.
- Replace and reassemble. We use the matching part for your faucet, not a close fit.
- Test every connection. Hot, cold, the aerator, the supply lines and the trap are checked for drips.
If a stop valve is too corroded to close, we replace it first. Otherwise the next repair means shutting off your whole house.
What drives faucet and sink repair prices
We do not list dollar figures for faucet work, because a dripping washer and a corroded wall-mount valve are very different jobs. What matters is shown below, and we give a clear price before work starts.
If water ran into a cabinet or floor for a while, photograph the damage and ask your insurer about coverage before you replace the cabinet base.
Hard water, chloramines and a 2 degree winter
Missouri American Water reported hardness at its Missouri River plants of roughly 5 to 13 grains per gallon in 2023, which is moderately hard to very hard. The report does not say which street gets which plant, so test your own tap. Minerals clog aerators, scale shower heads and wear cartridges. Unscrew the aerator and soak it in vinegar once or twice a year, and if scale returns within months, look at water softener and filtration.
The utility also uses chloramines, which age rubber washers and O-rings faster than plain chlorine. The City of Hazelwood publishes a winter design temperature of 2 degrees F and a frost depth of 30 inches. Outdoor faucets need the hose disconnected before the first hard freeze, and a frost-free hose bib is a better choice than a standard one. If a hose bib drips inside the wall in winter, call before it freezes.
Faucets are made to ASME A112.18.1, and lead content in faucets and fittings is covered by NSF/ANSI 372. When you buy a replacement, look for those marks on the box instead of relying on the finish and price.
When the leak is not at the faucet
If cabinet water shows up with no drip from the faucet or trap, the source may be a hidden line. See leak detection for how we find it. We take faucet calls from Hazelwood and nearby towns such as Bridgeton.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Close the stop valves under the sink if you can, call, and we will schedule the visit with same-day appointments when available.
Turn the two stop valves under the sink clockwise. If they will not close, shut the main water valve and open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the line.
Tightening usually squeezes a worn washer or cartridge that has already failed. The drip returns because the part, or the seat behind it, needs replacing.
Missouri American Water's 2023 report shows moderately hard to very hard water at its Missouri River plants. Scale builds up in aerators and cartridges, so clean the aerator regularly and test your own tap.
Yes. We fix leaking traps, supply lines, stop valves and sprayers, and we clear slow sink drains.
It can. The City of Hazelwood lists a winter design temperature of 2 degrees F and a frost depth of 30 inches. Disconnect hoses before a hard freeze and ask about a frost-free hose bib.
Questions about your situation? A licensed plumber is on the line any hour.
Call (855) 575-2890