Residential plumbing · Denver Metro, Colorado
Faucet repair and replacement
Most dripping faucets need a new cartridge, washer or O-rings, not a new faucet. Leaks under the sink usually come from supply lines or connections, and low flow is often just a clogged aerator. We repair what's worth repairing and install new faucets when it isn't.
Faucets are built to be rebuilt. Single-handle faucets use a cartridge or ball; older two-handle faucets use compression stems with rubber washers. Knowing which you have tells you what's likely worn.
Diagnosing the drip
- Spout drips with the handle off: worn cartridge, worn seat washers or damaged seats.
- Water around the handle: O-rings or the cartridge seals.
- Leak at the base of the spout (kitchen): spout O-rings on swivel spouts.
- Water in the cabinet: a loose or failing braided supply line, a weeping shutoff valve, or a sprayer hose.
- Hot side only drips: hot water wears washers and cartridges faster.
Repair or replace?
Repair when the faucet is good quality, parts are available and the finish is fine. Replace when the body is corroded or cracked, parts are discontinued, you want different function (pull-down sprayer, touchless) or the old one is simply worn out. When we replace a faucet, we look at the shutoff valves and supply lines too, because a new faucet on 30-year-old shutoffs is asking for a second visit.
New faucet installs
Kitchen, bathroom and bar faucets, single-hole or widespread. Before buying, check the number of holes in the sink or counter, the spout reach and height, and whether you want a deck plate. If you've chosen a model, send us the number.
What you can check yourself
Unscrew the aerator and rinse out the debris for low flow. Make sure the handle isn't loose. Close the shutoffs under the sink if you need to stop a drip; if they won't turn or start leaking when turned, stop there. More in our guide to dripping faucets and running toilets.
Kitchen and bathroom faucets differ
Kitchen faucets work harder. Pull-down and pull-out sprayers have hoses and weights that wear, swivel spouts have O-rings that leak at the base, and many include a side sprayer or a dishwasher air gap. Bathroom faucets come in single-hole, centerset (holes 4 inches apart) and widespread (8 inches or more) styles, and the new faucet has to match the holes in the sink or counter unless you add a deck plate.
Water-saving faucets
Colorado's SB14-103 requires faucets sold in the state to carry the EPA WaterSense label, so new bathroom faucets use less water than many older ones. If a new faucet feels weaker than your old one, that's often the flow rating rather than a problem, though a clogged aerator can make it worse.
Signs your faucet needs work
- Drip from the spout
- Water in the cabinet
- Stiff or loose handle
- Low flow from one faucet
- Leak around the spout base
- Shutoffs won't turn
How a visit goes
- Identify the faucetBrand and type tell us which parts fit.
- Check shutoffs and suppliesBefore taking anything apart.
- Repair or installCartridge, seals or a new faucet.
- Test under the sinkNo drips at connections.
What's different here
- Mineral buildup. Scale collects in aerators, cartridges and fill valves.
- Cold snaps. Supply lines on exterior walls are the first to freeze; open the cabinet on the coldest nights.
- Original shutoffs. Many metro homes still have their first angle stops, which often fail when turned.
What affects the cost
Every home is set up differently, so we price the job after we've seen it. These are the things that move the number.
- Repair vs. replaceParts cost less than a new faucet.
- Parts availabilityOlder or obscure brands take longer.
- ShutoffsReplacing seized angle stops.
- Sink configurationHole count and deck plates.
- AccessTight vanity cabinets.
- Disposal or sprayerExtra connections on kitchen sinks.
Questions we hear
Why does my faucet still drip after I turn it off hard?
The cartridge or washer is worn. Turning harder can damage the seat. A repair usually fixes it.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
EPA WaterSense says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year.
Can you repair any brand?
Most major brands have replacement cartridges. Older or obscure faucets sometimes don't, which tips the decision toward replacement.
Why is only one faucet low on pressure?
Usually a clogged aerator or cartridge. If every faucet is low, it's a supply or pressure issue instead.
Should I replace shutoff valves with a new faucet?
If they're old, seized or weeping, yes. It's much easier while everything is apart.
How long does a faucet replacement take?
Usually a short visit, longer if shutoffs or drain connections need work too.
Why is my new faucet's flow lower than my old one?
New bathroom faucets sold in Colorado are WaterSense-labeled and use less water. A clogged aerator can also reduce flow.
Will a new faucet fit my existing sink?
Check the number of holes and their spacing. Single-hole, 4-inch centerset and 8-inch widespread are the common layouts.
Why does my kitchen sprayer hose leak under the sink?
Pull-down hoses wear where they flex and at their connections. Replacing the hose or its quick-connect usually fixes it.
Is it worth buying a better faucet?
Generally, yes. Better faucets use ceramic cartridges and solid bodies, and replacement parts stay available longer.
Related services
Faucets, Toilets & Fixtures
Dripping faucets, running toilets, tired shower valves and new fixtures you've picked out.
Leak & Pipe Repair
Pinhole leaks, failed fittings, frozen and split pipes, leaking shutoff valves and supply lines.
Faucet repair and replacement near you
We're based in Thornton and work across the Denver Metro:
Emergency plumber by city
Water leaking now? Shut off the main, then call.
Something leaking, dripping or cold?
Call and tell us what's going on, or pick a time online. If it's not something we handle, we'll say so.