A faucet drip can wait for a regular appointment. A valve that will not shut off cannot. If water is spraying from a handle, a supply line under a sink or a wall behind a tub, call (603) 815-9179. Our 24/7 line is answered after hours, and a licensed plumber can often arrive the same day.
While you wait, find the shutoff valve under the fixture and turn it clockwise. If it is stuck or leaking, shut off the main water valve where the line enters the house. Open a low faucet to drain the pipes and keep water away from outlets.
Faucet repair covers kitchen, bathroom and laundry taps, tub and shower valves, and the small supply valves beneath them.
Valve will not shut off or water is spraying: what to do first
Every household needs to know two shutoffs. The first is under each sink and behind each toilet. The second is the main valve, usually near the water meter or where the pipe enters the basement.
- Turn the nearest fixture valve clockwise. Do not force a valve that has started to leak around the handle.
- If it fails, close the main valve and open the lowest faucet in the house to relieve pressure.
- Switch off power to outlets or appliances that sit in the spray or on a wet floor.
- Photograph the damage if you plan to file an insurance claim.
- Call the 24/7 line and tell us where the water is coming from.
A supply valve that cracks or snaps off in your hand is common on old stops. It is a quick repair once the main is closed. A burst supply line behind a wall is more serious, and our burst pipe repair page covers it.
Dripping faucets by type
The cause depends on how the faucet is built. Four designs cover nearly every home we visit.
| Faucet type | How to spot it | Part that usually fails |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Separate hot and cold handles that tighten down | Rubber washer and seat |
| Cartridge | One or two handles that move smoothly | Cartridge or its O-rings |
| Ball | Single handle over a rounded cap | Seats, springs and the ball |
| Ceramic disc | Single handle, heavy and smooth feel | Disc seals or the cylinder |
A drip every second wastes several gallons a day. We replace the worn part and test the faucet under pressure. If the faucet body is corroded or the finish is peeling, replacing the whole faucet costs less than another repair.
A faucet that sprays sideways or runs weakly often has a clogged aerator. Unscrew the tip, rinse out the grit and put it back. Well water carries more sediment, so check the aerator first.
Shower valve and showerhead leaks
A showerhead that drips after you shut off the water has a worn shower valve cartridge. A leak at the wall around the handle means a failed seal behind the trim plate. Water that stains the ceiling below a shower deserves quick attention.
We pull the trim, shut off the water to the valve and replace the cartridge or seals. If the valve body is cracked, we open the wall only as far as needed. A leak that continues with every fixture off may be inside the wall, and leak detection locates it before any tile is cut.
Bathtub faucet and diverter problems
A tub spout that keeps running water out of the showerhead, or a shower that never fully diverts, has a worn diverter. Hot water that shows up in the cold side points to a cartridge failure.
Tub faucet repair usually involves a new cartridge, a new spout or replacement seals. We match the part to the brand when it is available, and we tell you when the valve is old enough that a new one is the better value.
Slow tub and shower drains
Hair and soap film clog most tub drains within the first few feet. We pull the stopper, clear the trap with a hand auger and flush the line. If the drain slows again within weeks, the clog sits deeper, and our drain cleaning service covers cable and camera work.
What faucet repair costs
A faucet fix is quoted before we open the handle. Several things move the price:
- Whether the fix is a cartridge or washer or a full faucet replacement.
- The brand and finish, since some parts must be ordered.
- Whether a stuck shutoff valve also needs replacing.
- Whether a wall must be opened to reach a shower valve.
- Whether the visit is after hours.
Insurance rarely pays for a faucet itself, but it can cover sudden water damage from a failed supply line. Keep photos and receipts. Call (603) 815-9179 for a price on your faucet.
Faucets in Londonderry homes
Homes on private wells see more aerator and cartridge trouble from sediment. The state recommends testing a private well, and well owners can ask the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services about testing and treatment programs. A test also tells us whether water is shortening faucet life.
We repair faucets across Londonderry and in Derry, Windham and Hudson. If the fixture is a toilet, see toilet repair. For a new sink or tub, see plumbing installation.
A faucet swap should leave the supply stops and the drain trap compliant with the International Plumbing Code (IPC) that New Hampshire adopts.
Questions we hear in Londonderry
Yes. If a faucet is spraying, close the shutoff valve under it and call (603) 815-9179. We can often book the same day when the schedule allows.
Do not force it. Close the main water valve, open a low faucet, and call us. We replace stuck or leaking stops, which are common on older homes.
A worn cartridge or seat inside the shower valve lets water slip past. Replacing the cartridge usually fixes it.
Repair a newer faucet with a worn part. Replace one that is corroded, pitted or missing parts. We tell you which makes sense when we see it.
A failed cartridge or crossed seals in a single handle valve can mix the two. A new cartridge fixes most cases.
Probably not. Faucet work does not clog drains. A slow tub is usually hair and soap in the trap. We clear it with an auger.