Faucet and Sink Repair · Edgewater, FL
Dripping Faucet or Wet Cabinet in Edgewater, FL? Faucet and Sink Repair, Starting With Where the Water Is
A dripping spout, a weak stream or a wet cabinet under the sink all look like one problem. They are not, and finding where the water is coming from decides what gets repaired.
Where exactly is the water: faucet, supply line or drain?
A wet cabinet under a sink has three common sources, and only one of them is the faucet. Dry everything with a towel, run the water and watch.
- Dry the area. Wipe the supply lines, the faucet base and the drain trap so a new drop is easy to see.
- Run the tap. Water that appears only while the tap is on is on the supply side or in the faucet.
- Fill and drain the sink. Water that appears only when the sink drains is a drain or trap leak.
- Feel along each line. Run a dry tissue around each connection. It will show the wet spot.
A drip at the supply line valve or hose is usually a tightening or a replacement. A drip from the faucet spout is a worn cartridge or washer. A drip from the trap or tailpiece is a loose slip nut or a failed washer. Knowing which you have saves a wrong repair.
Dripping spout: repair the faucet or replace it?
A dripping spout means a worn cartridge, washer or seat. Many faucets can be repaired by replacing that part. Replacement tends to make sense in four cases.
- The finish is worn, pitted or corroded.
- Parts for the model are hard to find.
- The faucet has been repaired more than once.
- You want a different style, height or function.
Ask the plumber to price both options. If the faucet is under a warranty, say so, because a warranty can change the choice.
Call Edgewater FL Expert Plumbers, say where the water shows up and when.
Weak flow, sputtering or low pressure at one tap
If only one faucet has weak flow, the problem is local. A clogged aerator, a partly closed shutoff or a worn cartridge are the usual causes. Unscrew the aerator at the tip of the spout, rinse out the grit and put it back. If the flow improves, you were done.
If every tap in the house has weak flow, look wider. Check whether the main shutoff is fully open. Then check whether the problem started with a change in the street. The City of Edgewater utility, at 386-424-2400, extension 4000, can tell you whether there is a pressure issue on the city side. The meter test for hidden leaks shows whether a leak is lowering pressure.
Hot water only at some taps
When a tap runs cold on the hot side while others are fine, the heater is probably fine. A worn cartridge or a clogged hot-side inlet can cause it. See hot water at one tap for how to tell the two apart.
Wobbly handles, stiff handles and leaking pull-down sprayers
A handle that wobbles often needs a screw tightened. One that is stiff may have mineral buildup or a failing cartridge. On a kitchen faucet with a pull-down sprayer, a hose that leaks or fails to retract can be replaced without replacing the faucet. Ask whether the part is available for your model.
Shower valve and bathtub leaks
A shower that drips after you turn it off, or a tub spout that runs, usually means the valve cartridge is worn. These repairs sometimes need access from behind the wall.
- Drip from the showerhead or tub spout. A worn cartridge or seat. The valve can often be repaired from the front.
- Water staining a wall or ceiling near a shower. A leak inside the wall, which needs finding before repair.
- A handle that is stiff or will not stop the water. Mineral buildup or a failing cartridge.
If you see staining or soft drywall, tell the plumber when you call. It may be a hidden leak, and drying wet drywall may follow the repair.
Outdoor faucets and hose bibs
A hose bib that drips at the spout needs a washer or a new valve. One that leaks from the handle needs a new packing nut or a new unit. Many have a vacuum breaker near the spout, and a leak from it is a common fault, so ask the plumber to check it. Water that keeps dripping when the faucet is off always needs repair.
Before you leave a leaking outdoor faucet, check the wall inside. A leak at the base can run into the wall. If the siding or the interior wall near it is damp, mention it on the call.
Installing a new faucet or sink
A new faucet is a larger job than it looks, because the old one has to come out cleanly. Before you buy, check three things.
- Hole count. The sink or counter has a set number of holes, and the new faucet has to match.
- Supply lines and shutoffs. Old shutoff valves that will not close are a reason to replace them during the job.
- Drain connection. A new sink may need a different trap or tailpiece.
Ask the plumber who supplies the faucet and what the warranty on the work is. For a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal below it, see under-sink disposal problems if the two interact.
Mineral buildup and the city's softened water
The City of Edgewater says its groundwater is softened in treatment, and its 2024 report gives no hardness figure. Mineral buildup on aerators and showerheads depends on hardness, so ask the utility for the current number before assuming scale is the problem.
What to ask after a fixture repair
- Which part was replaced, and is the rest of the faucet in good shape?
- Are the shutoff valves under the sink working, and did you test them?
- Is there any sign of a slow leak in the cabinet or the wall behind it?
- What is the warranty on the part and the labor?
A short note on what was found helps if the same fixture fails again, and it helps you decide when replacement is the better call.
Permits and licensing for fixture work
Swapping a faucet is usually minor work, but changing supply lines, relocating a sink or opening walls may need a permit. Ask the City of Edgewater at 386-424-2400 where the line is. Florida's DBPR says plumbing work requires licensing, and you can check a license at myfloridalicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395.
Tell us where the water shows up
Say whether it is at the spout, under the sink or in the shower, and when it happens.