Faucet and sink repair in Leander, TX
Leander Faucet Repair: Fix a Drip, Low Pressure or a Leaking Shower Valve
A dripping spout, weak flow at one tap or a wet cabinet under the sink each have a different cause, and most cost less to repair than they look. This page helps you find where the water is coming from, shows how hard water plays a part and covers when a repair makes sense and when to replace. For faucet repair Leander TX homes often need, hard water is the first suspect.
Where is the water coming from: the faucet, the base or the pipes below?
A wet cabinet or a dripping spout sends people straight to replacing the faucet. Often the faucet is fine and the problem is a part or a connection. Find the exact spot first, because it sets both the repair and the price.
| Where it leaks | Likely cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the spout when off | Worn cartridge, washer or valve seat | Replace the cartridge or seat |
| Water around the base of the faucet | Worn O-rings or a loose body | Replace the O-rings and tighten |
| Wet cabinet under the sink | Supply line, shutoff valve or drain fitting | Replace the failing part |
| Weak flow at one faucet only | Clogged aerator or cartridge | Clean or replace the aerator |
| Water or sounds in the wall when the tap runs | A supply line problem behind the wall | See leak detection |
Dry the cabinet, then run the water for a minute and touch each fitting with a paper towel. The spot that wets the towel first is your source.
How much of this is hard water?
The City of Leander's 2024 water report lists hardness at 194 ppm, which is very hard. Minerals collect on the tiny screens of aerators and inside cartridges, and they are a common cause of low flow and early wear.
- Unscrew the aerator. It is the small screen at the spout tip. Turn it counterclockwise by hand, or use a cloth to protect the finish.
- Soak it in white vinegar for about an hour, then rinse. Scale dissolves.
- Rinse the faucet with the aerator off for a few seconds to clear loose bits, then replace it.
- Repeat in a few months if the flow drops again. Needing to do this often is a sign to look at the water.
If cleaning every few months is getting tiresome, a softener for very hard water addresses the cause. Descaling fixes the symptom.
Cannot trace where faucet or sink water is coming from?
Tell us where the water shows up and how long it has run. You will be routed to a plumber who handles faucet and sink repairs in your area.
Call (833) 571-0120Repair the faucet or replace it?
A new cartridge often costs less than a new faucet, but not always. The decision turns on the faucet's age, finish and parts.
- Repair whenThe faucet is in good shape, the finish is intact and parts are still sold for the model.
- Replace whenThe body is pitted or corroded, the finish is peeling, or parts are discontinued.
- Replace for the wrong reason?If your only complaint is flow, clean the aerator before buying anything.
Ask the plumber to name the failed part and what the repair should buy. A fair quote says whether the other parts are near the end of their life.
A leaking shower valve or tub spout: what can you check?
A shower that drips after you turn it off, or a spout that runs when the diverter is up, is usually a worn cartridge. A wet wall or ceiling on the other side of the shower is more serious.
- Drip at the showerheadOften a worn cartridge or seat in the valve, not the head.
- Water from the tub spout while the shower runsA worn diverter that does not seal.
- A stain on the wall or ceiling near the showerStop using it, close the supply and call. Water behind the wall rots framing.
Many shower valves can be repaired from the front by replacing the cartridge. If the valve is corroded or the wall is damaged, the plumber has to open the wall from behind, and you should ask who patches the tile afterward.
Outdoor faucet and hose bib leaks
An outdoor faucet that drips at the handle needs a new washer or packing. One that leaks inside the wall when a hose is attached needs attention before the next freeze.
- Look at the handle and the spout. A drip at the handle stem is packing. A drip from the spout is the washer or seat.
- Check the vacuum breaker. The small cap on the spout stops backflow. If it leaks, replace it.
- Disconnect hoses before a freeze. A hose left on traps water in the pipe, which can burst it behind the wall.
- Consider a frost-proof model if yours is the older kind. It shuts the water off inside the warm part of the wall.
A wet spot on an interior wall under the hose bib is a sign of a pipe that has cracked inside. Close the supply and call. See burst and broken pipe repair if the water is flowing.
What should you ask the plumber to check under the sink?
The faucet is the part you see, but the leaks start under the sink. A visit for one drip is a good chance to check the rest of the cabinet while the water is already off.
- The shutoff valvesDo they close fully and stay dry? Stiff or weeping valves are common in houses with very hard water, and a failed one turns a simple repair into a flood.
- The supply linesLook for kinks, rust at the fittings and bulges in the braid. A line past about ten years is worth replacing during the visit.
- The drain trap and connectionsA slow weep at a slip nut can rot the cabinet floor for months before anyone sees it.
- The cabinet floorPress it for softness. Swelling or a musty smell means water has been there for a while.
Ask for any worn part to be named on the invoice, and for the shutoffs to be tested before the plumber leaves. If the cabinet floor is damaged, ask who repairs it.
Installing a new faucet or sink: who does it, and is a permit needed?
Swapping a faucet is a simple job for many homeowners. Moving a sink or adding supply lines is not.
| Work | Permit? |
|---|---|
| Replacing a faucet or sink in the same spot | The City of Leander says replacing fixtures without altering plumbing needs no permit |
| Moving a sink or adding a fixture | Ask. Altering plumbing is a different category |
| Installing a disposal with a new sink | Ask whether wiring or drain changes are involved |
Texas requires plumbing work to be done by a licensed plumber or under one's supervision. A homeowner may do plumbing on their own homestead, but supply lines and shutoff valves under the sink are where small leaks start. You can check a plumber's license on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners site. If the sink includes a disposal, see disposal repair and installation.
Sources: City of Leander permits page; 2024 Consumer Confidence Report; Texas Occupations Code 1301.051 and 1301.351.
Trace the drip with a plumber
Tell us where the water shows up. You will be routed to a plumber who repairs faucets and sinks in your area.
Call (833) 571-0120