Faucet repair in Marblehead, MA
A faucet or supply line that will not shut off is an emergency, and our line is answered 24/7. Close the stop valve under the sink, or the main shutoff if that valve is stuck, and call for a same-day visit when a slot is open.
A dripping faucet is more than an annoyance. A drip a second adds up to many gallons a month, and a leak under the sink can quietly rot a cabinet. Faucet repair replaces the worn part, usually a cartridge, washer, O-ring or seat, and restores a smooth, tight shutoff.
If the faucet is old, pitted or has parts that are no longer made, replacement may cost about the same as the repair and last longer. We tell you which makes more sense.
Emergency: a faucet or supply line that will not stop
A burst supply hose under a sink can put gallons on the floor in minutes. The stop valve under the sink is the fastest control, and the main shutoff is the backup.
Our emergency plumbers answer 24/7 and offer same-day service when available, including after hours. These steps limit the damage.
- Stop valveTurn the valve under the sink clockwise.
- Main if stuckIf the valve will not turn, close the main.
- Empty the cabinetMove items out and mop up standing water.
- Call the lineSay what is spraying or dripping and where.
Faucets and the water in Marblehead
Marblehead gets its water from the MWRA system, and the annual report from the town's Water and Sewer Department is the place to read what is in it. We do not state a hardness figure here, because the practical advice is simple: if the aerator clogs or the faucet gets stiff, mineral buildup is a likely reason.
In older Marblehead houses, shutoff valves under the sinks may be original, and they are the first thing to check before any repair. A valve that does not close is a problem waiting for a bad night.
Replacement parts should follow the faucet maker's guidelines for your model, and installation is governed by the Uniform State Plumbing Code, 248 CMR 10.00. Bring the old cartridge or the model number when you buy parts so the match is exact.
Why faucets drip
Compression faucets use a rubber washer that presses against a seat, and the washer wears or the seat corrodes. Cartridge and ball faucets use seals and springs that fail. Ceramic disc faucets rarely drip but can leak at the base.
Hard water and mineral deposits wear the seat, and a drip that has run a long time may have cut a groove that the new washer cannot seal. In that case the seat is dressed or the faucet replaced.
Leaks under the sink
Check the supply lines, the shutoff valves and the drain connections. A damp cabinet floor, a musty smell or a rusty bottom shelf means a leak that has been going a while. Tightening a nut slightly often fixes a weeping connection, but over-tightening cracks it.
Old stop valves that have not been turned in years often seize or leak when touched. We replace them as part of a faucet job when they fail, because a good shutoff matters in an emergency.
Dripping faucet?
Call to book a repair.
Low flow and sputtering
Clogged aerator
Mineral buildup at the tip reduces the stream.
Failed cartridge
Stiff handle or uneven flow.
Hot only or cold only
A blocked inlet or valve.
Whole house low pressure
The cause is outside the faucet, see service line repair.
Kitchen, bath and outdoor
Kitchen faucets with sprayers and pull-downs have extra hoses and diverters that fail. Bath faucets with pop-up drains have linkage that sticks. Outdoor hose bibs need to be shut off and drained for winter, because a bib that freezes can split the pipe behind the wall.
Choosing a replacement
A good replacement matches the sink holes and the style of the room. Solid-brass bodies and ceramic discs last longer. We install what you choose or recommend a model if you ask.
Faucet types and common faults
The part that fails depends on the faucet design.
| Type | Common fault | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Worn washer or seat | Replace washer, dress or replace seat |
| Cartridge | Worn seals | Replace the cartridge |
| Ball | Worn springs and seats | Replace the kit |
| Ceramic disc | Cracked disc or base leak | Replace the cartridge |
What affects the price of faucet repair
The price depends on the part and the access. We confirm it before work starts.
A faucet repair is a maintenance cost. A burst supply line that floods the kitchen is a different matter and may be covered, so photograph it and ask.
Faucet repair questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7 and same-day visits are offered when available. If water will not stop, shut the main and call.
A drip every second can add up to thousands of gallons a year. Fixing it is cheap compared to the water and the damage.
Often, but parts may be scarce. If a repair costs near the price of a new faucet, replacement is better.
Mineral buildup or a worn cartridge. A cleaning or a new cartridge usually fixes it.
Yes, at the stop valve under the sink. If the valve will not turn, shut the main and call.
A spigot that leaks inside the wall can freeze and split. Shut it off and have it checked before winter.
Yes, if the faucet is in good condition and the sink and supply lines are compatible.
Related help
A faucet issue that affects the whole house may be pressure related, see service line repair. Hidden dampness under the sink may need leak detection, and a disposal below the sink is covered in garbage disposal repair. We serve Lynn and Peabody too.