Faucet repair for drips, leaks and stiff handles

One drip every couple of seconds becomes thousands of litres over a year. The fix is usually a single cartridge or seat washer, as long as the right part can be matched to the faucet.

Leak traced before a wall is opened

Cut-outs kept as small as the job allows

Copper, PEX or ABS matched to what is there

Pressure test on every new joint

Identifying the faucet

Single-lever faucets rely on a cartridge or a rotating ball; two-handle faucets use compression stems or quarter-turn ceramic cartridges. Brands use different designs, and even one brand can change parts across model years. We take the handle off, identify the cartridge and match it, often from parts we carry on the truck.
If the faucet is an unbranded import with no parts to be had, we will tell you before spending time on it. Sometimes a new faucet is the more sensible fix.

The repair itself

Water is shut off under the sink, the handle and trim come off, and the cartridge is pulled. Mineral scale in Richmond Hill water can lock older cartridges in place; we use a cartridge puller rather than pliers so the faucet body is not damaged.
New O-rings get a film of silicone grease, the seat is cleaned, and the new cartridge is set with the hot and cold oriented correctly. We check the aerator while we are there, because a clogged aerator makes a good faucet look weak.

Signs you need this

A steady drip from the spout
Water pooling under the handle
A handle that binds or spins past its stop
Damp wood inside the sink cabinet
Low flow from one faucet only

Leaks you cannot see

Water dripping inside the cabinet is often from the supply connections or the spray hose, not the spout. Pull-down kitchen faucets have a hose that wears where it rubs on the cabinet frame. We trace the drip back to its source before replacing anything.
Tub spouts and laundry taps get the same attention. Old laundry faucets in basements often have seized stems and a leak at the packing nut, which can usually be repacked.

How the job runs

1
The faucet brand and cartridge type are identified.
2
Water is shut off and the old cartridge or stem is removed.
3
New parts are installed with fresh O-rings and grease.
4
The faucet is run hot and cold and checked for drips above and below.

Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.

Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.