Faucet and Sink Repair: What Goes Wrong and How to Fix It

Faucet drip that will not stop

In modern cartridge faucets, a constant drip is almost always a worn cartridge or a scored valve seat. Rebuild kits and cartridges are available for most name-brand faucets and are usually a fast repair.

Low pressure at one fixture only

• Unscrew the aerator on the faucet spout and clear mineral debris
• Check both shut-off valves under the sink are fully open
• For a shower, check the shower head for scale buildup
• If the whole house is affected instead, the issue is at the pressure regulator or the main supply

Leak under the sink

• P-trap slip nuts loose or gaskets worn
• Supply line at the shut-off valve or faucet inlet leaking
• Basket strainer under the sink drain leaking
• Dishwasher air gap or garburator connection dripping

Shut-off valves that will not close

Old multi-turn valves seize with age. When we replace a faucet under an old valve, we often recommend swapping the shut-off to a modern quarter-turn ball valve at the same time. It adds a small amount of scope but makes future service much easier.

When to replace vs repair

• Repair if the fixture is otherwise sound and parts are available
• Replace if parts are discontinued, the finish is failing, or the faucet has been rebuilt before
• Sinks themselves rarely need replacement unless cracked, chipped, or being upgraded