Faucet and sink repair · Cedar City, Utah
Faucet and sink repair in Cedar City, UT: dripping faucets, leaking sinks and shower valves, and finding the part
A dripping faucet wastes water all day, and a leak under a sink rots the cabinet quietly. Most fixture problems come down to a worn part, a mineral buildup or a loose connection, and the symptom tells you which.
Fixture leaking?
- UNDER THE SINK
- Close the shutoff valve under the sink
- SHOWER OR TUB
- Stop using it if water is getting into the wall
- OUTSIDE SPIGOT
- Turn off the shutoff inside before it freezes
Drips and low flow: matching the symptom to its usual cause
| What you notice | Usual cause | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from the spout when the faucet is off | A worn cartridge, washer or seat | Shut off the supply under the sink, then replace the worn part |
| Low flow from one faucet only | A clogged aerator or a partly closed shutoff | Unscrew the aerator and rinse it |
| Water at the handle base | A worn O-ring or packing | Replace the seal or cartridge |
| Leak under the sink, only when the faucet runs | A supply line, a coupling or the faucet body | Dry it, run the water and watch |
| Leak under the sink, only when the drain runs | A slip nut, tailpiece or trap | Tighten or replace the fitting |
| Water at the shower valve or tub spout when off | A worn shower cartridge or diverter | See the shower section |
Fixing the right part is the whole job. A new faucet on a leaking supply line is still a leak.
Hard water and the faucet
Scale on aerators and cartridges
A USGS estimate based on Iron County samples puts hardness at about 13 grains per gallon, classed as very hard. That is a county estimate, not a reading from your tap.
Mineral scale clogs the aerator and wears cartridges and seats. Unscrew the aerator and soak it in vinegar for an hour to clear it. If scale keeps returning, ask whether water treatment makes sense for the house.
Source: USGS county-level estimate as published on tapwaterdata.com; secondary source.
A faucet that loses pressure slowly over months usually has scale. One that loses it suddenly usually has a valve partly closed or a line problem.
Leaks under the sink: supply, drain or faucet body
- Empty the cabinet and dry every pipe, valve and the cabinet floor.
- Place dry paper towels under the supply lines, the trap and the faucet base.
- Run the faucet, then the drain, and check the towels for the first wet spot.
- Note whether the water is clear and cold, hot or dirty. Dirty water from the drain points to the trap or tailpiece.
- Photograph the leak and call if it is at a supply valve or coming from the faucet body.
Supply lines and shutoff valves wear out. If a valve will not close fully or drips at the stem, replace it, since a stuck valve is a problem you only find when you need it.
Leak under the sink right now?
Call and say where you see the water. A plumber can tell you what to shut off and whether the part is worth repairing.
Shower valves, tub spouts and bathtub leaks
A shower that drips from the head after you turn it off has a worn cartridge or a bad diverter. A leak inside the wall is harder to see. Water spots on a ceiling below the bathroom or a soft wall next to the tub should be investigated before you tile or paint over them.
| What you see | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from the showerhead when off | A worn cartridge in the valve | Replace the cartridge |
| Water from the tub spout during a shower | A worn diverter | Replace the spout or diverter |
| Stain on the ceiling below the bathroom | A leak in the valve, drain or tub seal | Stop using it, then call. See leak detection. |
| Water pooling at the tub edge | Failed caulk or a cracked tile joint | Reseal after the area is dry |
Outdoor hose bibs and January nights
Freezing outdoor spigots
January nights in Cedar City average about 18°F.
Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze and shut off the inside valve that feeds the spigot if there is one. A hose left attached traps water in the spigot, and the pipe can split inside the wall without any sign until spring. If a spigot drips inside the wall once the weather warms, see burst and frozen pipe repair.
Source: climate data on Wikipedia’s Cedar City page; secondary source.
Kitchen and bathroom sinks: installation and swaps
A new faucet or sink is a common upgrade. The job is simple when the new fixture matches the holes in the sink or counter. It gets harder when the mounting style differs or the supply valves are old.
- Number of holes in the sink or counter and the faucet that fits them
- New supply lines and shutoff valves if the old ones are stiff or corroded
- Condition of the drain, trap and tailpiece
- Whether the sink or counter will be disturbed and who handles the caulk and plumbing connections
- A leak test with the water running before the job is finished
Choosing a replacement faucet
If the faucet is old or the finish has worn through, replacing it can cost less than a long run of repairs. Match the new faucet to the number of holes in the sink or counter, the spout reach and the height under any cabinet above.
- Cartridge faucets are common and have replaceable cartridges. Ask which cartridge the model uses and whether parts are stocked.
- Pull-down kitchen faucets add a hose and a weight, and need room under the sink.
- Touch or sensor faucets need power or batteries, so ask what happens if they fail.
- Check the warranty on the finish and on the internal parts, in writing.
Low flow at several fixtures, not just one
If more than one faucet runs weak, the faucet is not the problem. Check that the main shutoff is fully open, then ask whether the pressure regulator, a partly closed valve or narrowed pipe could be responsible. Widespread low flow in older pipe may point to a larger question covered under replacing older supply pipe.
Banging pipes and spitting faucets
A bang when a faucet shuts off is water hammer, caused by water stopped suddenly. A sputter when you open a faucet can be air in the line after work or a partly closed valve. Both are worth mentioning to the plumber on the same visit, because a hammer arrestor or a pressure fix is quick while someone is already there.
Fixture leaks by urgency
Fixture leaks that need a call now
- Water running from a supply line or valve you cannot shut off
- Water coming through a ceiling below a bathroom
- A spigot split open inside the wall
- A cabinet floor that is soaked or soft
Fixes to book ahead
- A faucet that drips slowly
- Low flow from one faucet
- A tub spout that drips after a shower
- A planned faucet or sink swap
Drips, low flow and leaks under the sink
Why is my faucet dripping when it is off?
A worn cartridge, washer or seat inside the faucet is the usual cause. Shut off the supply under the sink, then replace the worn part. If the faucet is old or the valve seat is pitted, a replacement may last longer than a repair.
Why is the water pressure low at only one faucet?
A clogged aerator is the most common reason, especially with hard water. Unscrew it, soak it in vinegar and rinse it. If pressure is still low, the cartridge or a partly closed shutoff may be at fault.
How do I tell whether a leak under the sink is the faucet or the drain?
Dry everything, then run the faucet alone and watch for the first wet spot. Run the drain alone and watch again. The one that shows water tells you where the problem is.
How do I protect an outdoor hose bib from freezing?
Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze and, if there is an inside shutoff for the spigot, close it and open the outside bib to drain. A frost-protected bib can help, and a plumber can tell you whether yours is one.
Other fixture and leak pages
Fixture dripping or leaking?
Call and say where you see the water. You will talk to a plumber, not fill in a form.