Signs you need this
- Toilet hissing between flushes, or wobbling on its flange
- Drip at the spout or water under the vanity
- Shower that swings hot and cold
- Hose bib dripping or split after frost
Kit on the van, and the method
- Basin wrench and seat wrench
- Wax rings, closet bolts and flange repair rings
- Cartridges, stems and seats for common valve makers
- Toilet auger and closet plunger
Before we leave: Cycle the fixture hot and cold, check every joint dry with a paper towel.
Know your faucet type
| Type | How to recognise it | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles that screw down firmly to stop | New washers and seats |
| Cartridge | Single lever or two handles that turn a quarter turn | Replace the cartridge |
| Ceramic disc | Single lever, wide cylinder under the handle | Replace the disc assembly or seals |
| Ball | Single handle over a domed cap | Seats, springs and O-rings |
Repair first
If the body of the faucet is solid and parts are available, a repair is usually the better choice. We identify the brand and model, often from a maker's mark or the cartridge profile, and carry common cartridges for widely sold faucet lines. Regional hardness crusts up cartridges and seats; with everything apart, we descale the body too. Aerators get soaked in descaler or replaced.
When replacement wins
- The body is cracked or corroded through.
- Parts are no longer made, or cost nearly as much as a fresh faucet.
- The plating has worn through and you were planning a change anyway.
- The base leaks from a crack in the deck plate.
On a replacement we take the chance to change the supply hoses and the under-sink shut-off valves if they are old multi-turn types that may not close fully.
Leaks under the sink
A puddle in the cabinet is not always the faucet. We check the supply connections, the hose on a pull-down spray, the basket strainer, and the trap. Loose slip nuts and tired washers on the trap are common and quick to fix. Our kitchen plumbing page covers sinks more broadly, and outdoor faucet repair covers hose bibs.