If a faucet will not stop running or a supply line is spraying, find the small oval handle under the sink and turn it clockwise. Our emergency line is open 24/7 for faucet repair in Lafayette, and you can call while you hold a towel over the leak.
If that handle will not turn, go straight to the main shutoff for the house. A stuck angle stop is a common reason a small drip becomes a big mess.
This page explains what causes leaky and stuck faucets, what a repair covers, and when a new faucet is the smarter buy.
Spraying, stuck, or will not shut off
Water that runs when the handle is off, or a line that is spraying, calls for the shutoff, not a tight grip on the faucet.
- Close the angle stop under the sink (clockwise). Kitchen and bathroom fixtures usually have separate hot and cold stops.
- If the stop is frozen in place or leaks when turned, close the main water valve for the house.
- Place a bucket under the leak and lay towels on the cabinet floor. Wet cabinets hide mold if left.
- Keep cords and outlets away from the water, and do not use electrical appliances in the splash area.
Why a faucet drips, and what is inside it
Most modern single-handle faucets use a cartridge. When the seals inside wear or the cartridge cracks, water seeps past even when the handle is closed. Older compression faucets rely on rubber washers that harden and flatten over time, so the drip gets worse the harder you crank the handle.
A leak at the base of the spout points to worn O-rings. A leak under the handle usually means a loose cap or a damaged cartridge. A stream that dribbles from the aerator after shutoff often comes from debris or a failing valve seat.
In Lafayette, EBMUD water is very soft at about 16 mg/L hardness, so mineral buildup is rarely what chokes a faucet here. Wear, age and rough handling are the usual causes, so a cartridge swap normally restores it.
Faucet, shower and spigot: what we repair
Each fixture fails in its own way.
Kitchen and bathroom sinks
Cartridge, washer, seat and O-ring repair. Spray hoses and pull-down heads can also leak at their connection.
Shower and tub valves
A shower that drips after shutoff usually has a worn cartridge or diverter. Some tub valves need the wall opened for access.
Outdoor spigots
Hose bibs leak at the stem or the handle packing. A cracked bibb after a cold snap may leak inside the wall.
Supply lines and stops
Braided lines and angle stops wear out and corrode. Replacing them is a quick job and prevents a cabinet flood.
Fix it or replace it: a decision table
We repair when repair is sensible and tell you when it is not.
| Situation | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Single drip, faucet in good shape. | Cartridge or washer swap. | Rarely needed |
| Pitted, corroded or flaking finish. | Repair only buys time. | New faucet looks and works better. |
| Parts no longer available. | Hard to find or custom. | Standard replacement |
| Repeated leaks at the same joint. | Short-term fix | New faucet and new supply lines. |
| Cracked body or leak inside the deck. | Not repairable | Replace the faucet. |
For a bigger fixture swap or a remodel, the same visit can include toilet repair work in the same bathroom.
A stuck or leaking shutoff valve
Angle stops under sinks sit for years without being turned. Mineral crust is not the main issue in soft water, but stems still seize and packing washers dry out. Forcing a stuck handle can snap the stem and leave you with no shutoff at all.
If it will not close, we shut the main, replace the stop with a new quarter-turn valve, and swap the supply line at the same time. That gives you a working shutoff for the next emergency, and this repair is much cheaper than the water damage it prevents.
How the repair visit works
A faucet repair visit is usually short.
- We shut off water at the stop or main and find the leak source.
- We identify the faucet brand and cartridge type, then pull the handle and trim.
- We explain whether the part can be swapped or the faucet should be replaced, with a clear price before work starts.
- We replace the part or fixture, flush debris from the line, and test for drips under pressure.
- We leave the cabinet and counter clean, and show you where the stops are.
Faucet repair cost factors
Price depends on the fixture type, whether parts are in stock for your brand, shutoff condition, and how much cabinet or wall access is needed. A new faucet adds the fixture cost, and an after-hours call adds to labor.
Water damage from a sudden supply-line failure may be covered by your homeowner policy, though slow drips and the worn part itself often are not. Read your policy and ask your insurer.
If a broken supply valve has already flooded the cabinet, call about burst pipe repair too. We handle both on the same emergency line and give a clear price before work starts. For service in Moraga, the same line applies.
Under the kitchen sink: look past the faucet
A kitchen faucet that drips into a disposal can mask a leak under the sink. If water pools there, check the garbage disposal connections before assuming the faucet is the only culprit.
Dripping, spraying or stuck: your faucet questions
Yes. The emergency line runs 24/7, so a spraying valve at 2 a.m. gets a real person. Shut off the angle stop or main while you wait.
The fixture style, parts availability, shutoff condition and wall access all change the price. A replacement faucet adds fixture cost. We give a clear price before work starts, so call and describe the leak.
Yes, a steady drip wastes water around the clock. If your bill jumps and no faucet is dripping, see the EBMUD guide to leaks and high bills.
Some people can swap a cartridge, but you must shut off water first and match the exact brand. A wrong cartridge or stripped stem can turn a drip into a leak inside the wall.
A cracked or loose hose bib can send water into the wall cavity behind it. Close the shutoff for that line if you have one, or the main, and call before drywall is damaged.
Yes, as long as the fixture fits your sink holes and supply setup. We check the stops and lines during installation and replace them if they are worn.
Still unsure what you are dealing with? Call the 24/7 line and describe it to a dispatcher.
Call (855) 575-2890