Signs you need faucet repair and replacement
- A steady drip from the outlet after the lever is off
- Water pooling roughly the bottom or under the sink
- Handles that grind, stick or spin without stopping the flow
- Weak flow from one faucet while other fixtures in the home run fine
- White crust building around the aerator and spout
A single symptom usually points to a single worn part. Several at once on a tap that is fifteen or twenty years old often mean replacement makes more sense than chasing cartridges.
How we handle faucet repair and replacement in an Oshawa house
First we shut off the angle stops below the sink and check that they actually hold. On older homes they frequently do not, which turns a ten-minute repair into a valve swap. Then we take the faucet apart and identify the cartridge, stem or ceramic disc inside.
If the part is available and the body is sound, we repair it. Where the body is corroded or parts are no longer made, we talk through a replacement. For a new installation you will supply the faucet or ask us to recommend one; either way we fit new supply lines and test every joint under pressure.
Durham water carries enough minerals to clog aerators. Unscrew yours and rinse it before you call. Low flow sometimes fixes itself right there.
What affects the scope
Getting at the pipe is the main factor. A kitchen sink with a deep cabinet and modern shut-offs is quick. A vanity jammed against a wall, a bar sink in a tight corner or a tub spout tied into an old two-handle valve takes longer. Pull-down kitchen faucets add a hose and weight to fit. Wall-mounted taps may need work behind the finished surface.
The age of the plumbing counts too. Galvanized supply lines in older homes can crumble when disturbed, and we will tell you if we see that before we start.
Repair or replace: a quick way to decide
Think about how the tap is used. A busy kitchen faucet that runs dozens of times a day earns a quality replacement once it starts failing. A guest bathroom tap that drips because of one tired washer deserves a repair. Finish matters too: chrome holds up well to Durham's mineral-heavy water, while some matte and brushed finishes show spotting quickly. If you are replacing, match the number of holes in the sink deck or plan for a cover plate.
We also look at the shut-offs under the sink on every visit. If they are old multi-turn valves, swapping them for quarter-turn ones while the water is off saves trouble later.
Before you call
Note the brand if you can find a logo, and take a photo of the faucet and the space underneath. Check whether the drip is hot side, cold side or both. If the sink is also slow to empty, mention it; our drain cleaning work can be done on the same trip. Homes with irrigation or special hose connections may also need backflow protection, and our article on noisy pipes covers the banging some taps cause.