A faucet that will not shut off
If a faucet is spraying or will not stop, close the shutoff valve under the sink by turning it clockwise. If there is no valve or it will not turn, close the main shutoff for the house. Then call the 24/7 line, because a failed fixture supply can soak a cabinet within the hour.
A steady drip can wait for a scheduled visit, but a drip that has turned into a stream, or a leak under the sink that wets the cabinet floor, should not wait. Place a bucket and towels and note whether water is coming from the spout, the handle or the base.
- Water spraying from the faucet body or handle.
- A shutoff valve that will not close.
- Water pooling in the cabinet below the sink.
- An outdoor spigot leaking inside the wall.
Where the leak comes from and the usual fix
The location of the drip says a lot about the repair.
| Where it leaks | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| From the spout | Worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace the cartridge or washer |
| Around the handle | Worn O-ring or loose packing | Replace the O-ring or tighten packing |
| At the base | Failed seals or a cracked body | Replace seals, or the faucet if the body is cracked |
| Under the sink | Supply line or shutoff valve | Replace the supply line or valve |
| Outdoor spigot, in the wall | Frozen and split pipe behind the spigot | Cut out and replace the section |
Faucet spraying or shutoff stuck?
Close the main shutoff and call the 24/7 line.
Repair or replace?
A cartridge or washer is a modest repair on a faucet in good shape. Replacing the whole fixture makes more sense when the finish is worn, the body is corroded or the faucet is a model for which parts are hard to find. A new faucet also offers a chance to upgrade to a design with a better spray or a lower flow rate.
If your shutoff valves below the sink are stuck or leaking, a faucet swap is the best moment to replace them. A valve you cannot close is the weak link in any future emergency.
Outdoor spigots and winter
Outdoor spigots that are not frost-proof can freeze and split behind the wall, and the leak shows only after a thaw. Disconnect hoses before winter, close the interior shutoff to the spigot if there is one and open the outdoor tap to drain it. A spigot that drips inside the wall is a quiet source of water damage.
If you suspect one has split, call and read our burst pipe repair page. The plumber can replace the spigot with a frost-proof model so that it does not happen again.
Faucets in Derry homes
Houses in Derry, Londonderry and Salem on town water usually see scale on aerators and cartridges. Homes on private wells in Hampstead and Chester may see iron staining and sediment that clog fixtures faster. The plumber looks at the aerator, the cartridge and the water itself, and suggests a filter if the pattern points to well water.
Most faucet repairs are done in a single visit. If your repair reveals low pressure at several fixtures, the problem may lie upstream, and the plumber will check the main line or the regulator.
Before you call
These details speed up the visit.
- The brand of the faucet, if you can read it.
- Where the water leaks from.
- Whether the shutoff valve under the sink closes.
- Whether hot, cold or both are affected.
- Any past repairs or noises when you turn it on.
Faucet Repair questions in Derry
Yes. The line is open 24/7. If a faucet is spraying or will not shut off, close the valve under the sink or the main shutoff and call (603) 815-9179.
A worn washer, cartridge or seat is the usual cause. Mineral buildup can also keep the valve from sealing. The plumber replaces the worn part.
If the body is sound and parts are available, repair is usually cheaper. If the finish is worn, parts are scarce or the body is corroded, replacement makes sense.
Yes. Replacing stuck or leaking shutoff valves when you swap a faucet is a smart move, and the plumber can do both in one visit.
Yes. We repair or replace spigots, including frost-proof models, and check for water damage behind the wall.
References: manufacturer parts guides for your faucet. Derry Water Department, 603-432-6147, for pressure questions on town water.
Faucet repair in Derry
Call any hour. A clear price comes before work starts.