Toilet Repair & Installation
Fix a running, leaking or clogged toilet or replace it.
Fixtures and appliances
Faucet and Sink Repair in St. Petersburg, FL
A drip is more than noise. It wastes water, stains the sink and signals a worn part. Most faucet problems come down to a cartridge, a washer or a clogged aerator.
Note the brand and type of the faucet if you can. It helps with parts.
Common faucet problems
- Drips from the spoutA worn cartridge, washer or valve seat.
- Weak flowA clogged aerator or a partly closed shutoff valve.
- Leak under the sinkA loose supply line, a failed trap fitting or a leaky valve.
Why faucets drip
Inside a faucet, a cartridge or a washer presses against a seat to stop the water. Over time the rubber wears or the seat corrodes, and a thin stream gets past. The drip is slow at first, then it gets worse.
Replacing the cartridge or washer fixes most drips. If the seat is pitted, it may need to be resurfaced or the faucet replaced. A faucet that is more than 15 years old, or one that has lost its finish, is often worth replacing.
Weak flow and sputtering
The aerator at the tip of the spout holds a small screen that catches debris and minerals. When it clogs, flow weakens and sprays sideways. Unscrew it, soak it in vinegar and rinse it, and flow often returns.
If the flow is weak on one tap only, the cause is local. If it is weak on every tap, look at the main valve, the pressure regulator or the water line. See water line repair for that.
Cost
What affects the price of a faucet repair
Faucet work varies from a ten-minute part swap to a new fixture.
Ask whether a new faucet comes with the price or whether you supply it.
In St. Pete
Mineral buildup, salt air and outdoor taps
Scale builds up on aerators and cartridges where water has minerals, and cleaning them helps. Outdoor spigots and irrigation fittings take more weathering in a humid coastal climate, which wears out washers and finishes.
Hoses left attached to spigots hold water against the faucet and can speed wear. Disconnect them when not in use.
Shutoff valves and leaks under the sink
Every sink should have shutoff valves on the hot and cold lines, so you can stop the water to the faucet. Old valves seize or leak when turned. A valve that has been frozen in place for years may fail when you try it, so a plumber may replace it with a new quarter-turn valve.
Water under the sink may come from the supply lines, the trap, the drain connection or the faucet body. Dry the area, then check each joint with a paper towel to find the source. A slow leak can ruin a cabinet base before it is noticed.
Outdoor spigots and water hammer
Outdoor spigots drip from a worn stem washer or leak behind the handle. A leaking spigot with a vacuum breaker may be spraying from the breaker cap. A leak inside the wall behind the spigot is more serious, and it needs a quick fix to avoid damage.
A banging sound when a tap shuts off is water hammer. The sudden stop of moving water sends a shock wave through the pipes. A failed air chamber, high pressure or loose pipes can cause it. A plumber can check the pressure and add a water hammer arrestor if needed.
Fixture signs
Signs a faucet or valve needs repair
Small fixture problems often grow.
A tub or fixture that will not shut off
If water keeps running and the handle does nothing, shut the supply to that fixture or the main valve and call. A failed cartridge or valve body can often be replaced without opening the whole wall, but access depends on how the tub is built.
Traps and sink hookups
Some older sinks use an S-trap, which can siphon dry and let odors up. Replacing it with a P-trap is a common update. A plumber can also reconnect a sink after a remodel and check the supply lines and shutoffs.
If more than one bathroom leaks, start with the water pressure and the main shutoff. A regulator failure can stress every fixture at once.
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Common questions
Faucet and sink questions
Yes. A drip wastes water, and the part that is wearing out will get worse. It is a small repair.
A clogged aerator is the most common cause. If every faucet is low, the problem is further back in the system.
Water hammer, caused by a sudden stop of flow, high pressure or loose pipes. A plumber can check pressure and add an arrestor.
A drip from the handle may be a washer, which is simple. A leak inside the wall needs a plumber.
Close the main valve or the fixture shutoff, then call. The cartridge or valve body usually needs replacing.
Yes, it is a common plumbing update. It needs the right drain and vent layout, so a plumber checks the setup first.
Check the main valve and household pressure, then each fixture. A single cause such as high pressure can affect many fixtures.
A minor drip is often a cheap repair. If the faucet is old, corroded or the parts are hard to find, replacement is often the better value.
Faucet dripping or leaking under the sink?
Call and describe where the water shows up. It helps the contractor bring the right parts.