Where faucet leaks come from
A drip from the spout is usually a worn cartridge, washer or seat. A leak at the base points to an O-ring. A leak under the sink often comes from a supply line, a compression fitting or the valve itself.
We name the part before we replace it, and we tell you when a faucet is worth saving. A budget faucet with a failed cartridge may cost more to repair than to swap.
Fixtures we see most
The faucet type decides the repair.
Single-handle kitchen faucet
Cartridge or ball seals wear out. Parts often fit by brand and model.
Two-handle bath faucet
Washers, seats or cartridges in each handle.
Tub and shower valve
A dripping shower can waste water for weeks. A valve repair may need access behind the wall. See leak detection if the wall is wet.
Outdoor spigot
Minnesota freezes split spigots from inside. A frost-proof sillcock helps.
Supply shutoff valve
Old stop valves seize or drip when turned. We replace them while we are there.
Repair or replace the faucet
A short decision guide.
| Situation | Leans toward | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Drip, faucet less than ten years old | Repair | Parts are inexpensive and available |
| Corroded finish and mineral crust | Replace | Hard water has damaged the surface and the body |
| Discontinued model, no parts | Replace | Cartridges cannot be sourced |
| Leaking body or cracked spout | Replace | The metal cannot be repaired |
The City of South St. Paul reports typical hardness around 18 grains per gallon, which leaves mineral crust inside cartridges.
Faucet spraying right now: what to do first
A failed valve can put water on the floor quickly.
- Turn off the angle stop under the sink. If it does not stop the flow, close the main.
- Open a lower faucet in the house to relieve pressure.
- Put a bucket under the leak and keep towels on the cabinet floor.
- Call the 24/7 line for same-day or after-hours dispatch.
Winter and outside faucets
Minnesota winters split unprotected spigots. A hose left attached traps water, and the freeze pushes the crack back into the wall. You may not see the leak until spring, when the spigot is opened and water enters the wall.
Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze. If you find water inside after turning on a spigot, shut the interior valve and call us. A split behind a wall is the case where burst pipe repair applies.
What affects faucet repair pricing
Parts and access drive the number.
Insurance rarely covers a worn faucet. Damage from a sudden burst supply line may be covered, so keep photos.
Sources for this page
Hardness comes from the City of South St. Paul's published water FAQ. Plumbing work follows Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, built on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). Freeze guidance reflects the state frost depth in Minnesota Rules 1303.1600.
Questions people ask
Yes. The 24/7 line is staffed all night and on weekends, and we book same-day appointments when available for sprays, floods and valves that will not close.
The seat, washer or cartridge is worn and no longer seals. It is a small part, and a drip wastes more water than most people expect.
Yes. We install customer-supplied faucets and can supply one if you want.
Mineral buildup in the aerator is the usual cause. If it persists, the supply line or shutoff may be partly closed or corroded.
Yes. Some valves repair from the front, and others need access from behind the wall.
Do not force it. Close the main and call us. We replace stuck stop valves so they work next time.