Faucet won't shut off or is spraying: what to do first
Look under the sink for two small oval or round handles on the pipes. Turn both clockwise to stop the hot and cold supply to that faucet. If they are stuck or leaking when you turn them, go to the main water shutoff, usually near the water meter in the basement or utility room.
With the water off, open the faucet to let the line drain and mop up any standing water. Keep wet cabinet contents away from the floor. Then Call (630) 822-9290 so we can arrive with the right parts and, if a shutoff is failing, replace it at the same visit.
Quick containment steps
- Close both under-sink shutoff valves, clockwise.
- If they will not close, shut off the main water valve.
- Clear the cabinet and put a bowl or bucket under any drip.
- Do not force an old valve with a wrench, since it can snap.
- Photograph any water damage for your records.
Dripping and leaking faucets
A steady drip is almost always a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring inside the faucet body. It looks minor, but a drip can add up on your water bill and stain the sink. The fix depends on the faucet style: compression, ball, disc or cartridge.
We replace the worn part when parts are available and recommend a new faucet when the body is corroded or the maker no longer supplies cartridges. If you know the brand, say so on the phone. Some premium brands need specific parts, and it helps us plan.
Tub and shower faucets
A tub faucet that drips or will not stop running is a separate case. The cartridge or stem sits inside the wall, so the repair takes more care than a sink job. If the handle spins without changing the water, or the diverter will not send water to the shower, tell us when you call.
Water that keeps running from a tub spout should be treated as urgent when you cannot shut it off. Close the bathroom shutoff or the main and (630) 822-9290 for help.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from spout | Worn cartridge or washer | Replace the cartridge |
| Water at the handle | Failed O-ring or packing | Replace seals |
| Low pressure | Clogged aerator or valve | Clean or replace parts |
| Handle spins loose | Stripped stem or screw | Replace stem or handle |
| Leak under the sink | Supply line or drain connection | Replace line or tighten |
Shutoff valves and supply lines
Old angle stops and braided lines are often the real problem. A valve that weeps at the stem or will not turn all the way is a hazard, because you cannot isolate the sink when it matters. We can replace the stop valve and the supply line together.
Valves also serve other fixtures. A fridge ice-maker line, a washer box or a water softener bypass can each fail and spill. If you are unsure which valve feeds a leak, Call (630) 822-9290 us and we will walk through it.
Faucet and valve work falls under the Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890, and Illinois licenses plumbers through IDPH. Before anyone replaces a stop valve in your home, you can look up their license number on the IDPH verification page, which is the standard way to confirm a plumber is licensed.
Kitchen sink problems
Kitchen sinks combine a faucet, a sprayer, a drain basket and often a disposal, so a leak under the cabinet may come from any of them. We dry the area, run the water and trace the first drip. If the disposal is the source, our garbage disposal repair service covers it.
A slow kitchen drain is a different issue from a faucet. Standing water in the sink usually means a clog in the trap or branch line, which we can clear. Describe what the water does and we will schedule accordingly.
Outdoor faucets and winter freeze-ups
Outdoor hose bibs take a beating in Cook County winters. NWS normals for Chicago O'Hare show a January average low near 18.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is cold enough to split a pipe behind a hose connection if a hose is left attached. The split often stays hidden until spring, when the bib is turned on and water sprays inside the wall.
Before the first hard freeze, disconnect hoses and close the interior shutoff to each outdoor faucet if you have one. If you find a leak inside the wall after turning one on, close the shutoff and (630) 822-9290. We also install new outdoor faucets and frost-proof models.
What changes the price of a faucet repair
We tell you the price by phone before work starts and again once the plumber has looked at the fixture. If you already bought a faucet, we install it. If you want help choosing one, ask for a few options.
Other fixture work
We also handle rental-property faucet calls, where a landlord needs a quick repair or valve replacement. Mention the tenant access arrangement when you call. For new fixtures in a remodel, see plumbing installation.
Yes. The line is open 24/7. If a faucet or valve is spraying or will not shut off, we schedule a plumber as soon as one is free.
Close the shutoff valves under the sink. If they fail, close the main water valve and clear the cabinet.
Often a new cartridge or washer fixes it. If the faucet body is corroded or parts are no longer made, a replacement makes more sense.
Yes. Tub and shower valves sit inside the wall, so we plan extra time and confirm the approach by phone first.
Yes. We replace the valve and supply line at the same visit so the sink can be isolated again.
Yes. We repair or replace hose bibs, including frost-proof models, and we can check for a split pipe behind the wall.
Yes. Tell us the brand, and we will let you know if special parts are needed.
Yes, licensed and insured.
Calling about a faucet in Hoffman Estates
Call (630) 822-9290 and tell us which fixture is leaking, which shutoff you tried and what the water is doing. We serve Hoffman Estates, including ZIP codes 60169, 60192, 60179 and 60195. If a leak seems to come from inside a wall or ceiling, our leak detection service can find the source.