Faucet and valve repair, in plain terms
Faucet repair covers anything that controls water at a sink, tub or shower. That includes the faucet body, the cartridge or washers inside it, the aerator at the spout, and the small shutoff valve under the sink, called an angle stop. Fixtures wear out where moving parts rub against water every day.
Most repairs are quick. A dripping spout usually needs a new cartridge or seat, and a spray from beneath the sink usually needs a new supply line or valve. We carry common parts, but older or imported fixtures sometimes need a part ordered.
When a valve or supply line is an emergency
A burst supply line can put a lot of water on a cabinet floor in a short time. The same goes for a shutoff valve that snaps off in your hand. The trouble gets worse if the valve that should stop the flow will not turn.
If water is flowing and the fixture valve will not close
Go to the main shutoff for the house. That stops everything while you wait.
- Find the main valve, usually at the meter box outside or where the line enters the house, and turn it clockwise.
- Open the lowest faucet in the house to relieve pressure and drain the line.
- Move anything valuable out of the cabinet and mop standing water.
- Do not force a stuck stop valve with pliers, since a corroded stem can break and make the flow worse.
- Call the 24/7 line and describe where the water is coming from.
Stuck shutoff valve that will not close
Under-sink valves sit untouched for years, and mineral crust and corrosion can freeze the stem in place. When that happens, replacing a faucet or supply line is impossible without shutting water to the whole house. We close the main, replace the old stop with a new quarter-turn valve, and turn the water back on.
If the main valve itself is stuck or leaks around its stem, tell the dispatcher when you call. That changes what we bring. A failed main can also point to a bigger water line repair] job outside the house.
Why fixtures fail in Royal Palm Beach homes
Palm Beach County Water Utilities says no lead service lines have been found in its service area, and that lead in tap water usually comes from household plumbing. If you replace a faucet in an older home, run the cold tap to flush the line and clean the aerator. Test the water after plumbing work if you have any concern.
PBCWUD also lists chloramine as the disinfectant in the eastern system. Mineral crust on aerators and valve stems varies by home, so for the current hardness number, call PBCWUD customer service at (561) 740-4600.
Signs a faucet or valve needs repair
Drip at the spout
A worn cartridge, washer or seat. Left alone, it adds to your bill and stains the basin.
Leak under the handle
Water at the base of a handle means a failing O-ring or packing. It can wick into the cabinet unseen.
Low flow from one tap
A clogged aerator is the usual cause. Hard mineral deposits can also clog the cartridge ports.
Damp cabinet floor
Check the supply lines and stop valves with a dry tissue. A drip you cannot see will warp wood.
Handle stiff or loose
Worn cartridges and corroded stems make a faucet hard to shut off, and shutoff trouble gets worse.
Shower runs hot and cold
A failing mixing cartridge or balance valve inside the wall.
Shower valve, showerhead and bathtub faucet leaks
A showerhead that drips after you turn it off often has a worn cartridge in the valve behind the wall plate. A tub spout that leaks from the diverter or a handle that will not shut off is a fixture problem, not a pipe problem. Both are fixed by pulling the trim and replacing the cartridge.
If the valve body is corroded or the wall around it is wet, the repair is bigger and may involve opening the wall. We will show you the wet spot and explain the options before cutting anything.
Slow shower or tub drain
Hair and soap build up in the shower or tub trap, and water pools around your feet. We pull the strainer, clear the trap with a hand auger and test the drain. If the whole bathroom group backs up, the problem sits in the branch line and calls for drain cleaning].
How we find and fix a faucet or valve problem
- 1
Stop the water
We close the fixture stop or the main valve and dry the area so the leak source is visible.
- 2
Find the part
We pull the handle, trim or aerator and inspect the cartridge, seat, O-rings and supply lines.
- 3
Price it clearly
You get the repair and replace choices and a clear price before work starts.
- 4
Fix and test
After the new part goes in we run hot and cold, check every connection dry, and test the stop valves.
Repair the faucet or replace it?
Repair
- Cartridge or seat swap fixes a drip
- Faucet body is not corroded
- Parts are still sold for the model
- Finish and style are what you want
Replace
- Body is pitted or cracked
- Parts are discontinued
- Handles and finish have worn through
- You want a different layout or a pull-down spray
A cartridge swap and a new shower valve are very different jobs.
The part involved
A cartridge or supply line is a small repair. A shower valve body inside a wall is a larger one.
Access
An open under-sink space is quick. A tub valve with no access panel may need a small opening in the wall.
Fixture brand and finish
Specialty finishes and imported fixtures cost more and can take longer to get.
Valve condition
A stuck or corroded stop valve takes more time and may mean replacing the line as well.
Time of the call
Nights and weekends need dispatch planning. The caller hears the price before work starts.
A burst supply line that floods a cabinet or floor may be covered by homeowner's insurance, but your insurer makes that call. We can document what failed. Call the 24/7 line and describe what you see.
Call the 24/7 line now. We will help you shut water off at the main and send a licensed plumber.
| Problem | What fails | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping spout | Cartridge or seat | New cartridge |
| Water under sink | Supply line or stop valve | Replace line or stop |
| Stuck shutoff | Corroded stem | New quarter-turn valve |
| Low flow | Aerator or cartridge ports | Clean or replace |
| Shower drips | Mixing cartridge | Replace cartridge |
| Tub spout leaks | Diverter | New spout |
Know your main shutoff
Locate the main valve at your meter box or entry point now. Water Utilities customer service at (561) 740-4600 can tell you who owns what at the meter.
Lead and aerators
Flush the tap and clean the aerator after plumbing work, as PBCWUD recommends.
Nearby service
We serve Wellington] and other communities nearby as well as the Village.
Sources and standards
Fixtures and shutoff valves are installed to the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023). According to Palm Beach County Water Utilities, lead in tap water typically traces to plumbing materials, so flushing the tap and cleaning aerators after repairs is recommended.
Royal Palm Beach faucet repair questions
Do you handle faucet repair emergencies at night or on weekends in Royal Palm Beach?
Yes. The 24/7 line takes calls at night, on weekends and on holidays. When a supply line or valve is leaking, a plumber can be dispatched same day when available, and the dispatcher will help you stop the water first.
What should I do if my shutoff valve will not turn?
Do not force it. Close the main shutoff for the house and call us. We replace the old stop with a new one.
Can you fix a leaking shower valve without opening the wall?
Often yes. Many valves can be repaired from the front by pulling the trim and replacing the cartridge. If the valve body is corroded, we explain the options first.
Why is my faucet dripping even after I tighten the handle?
Tightening a handle presses a worn seat harder, which makes it worse. The cartridge or seat needs replacing.
Is it safe to drink water after a faucet replacement?
Run the cold tap for a while and clean the aerator before drinking. PBCWUD advises this after plumbing work and suggests testing if lead is a concern.
Do you fix slow shower drains too?
Yes. We clear the trap and strainer, then test the drain. If other fixtures are also slow, we look at the branch line.
Question not answered here? Call the 24/7 line at (561) 448-8545 and talk to a plumber.