Our phone line is answered 24/7. If water is spraying or pooling, turn the small oval angle stop under the sink clockwise until it stops. If it will not turn, shut off the main valve at the house.
Most faucet calls are one of four things: a worn cartridge, a cracked supply line, a stuck shutoff valve or mineral scale. The fix is usually a part, not a whole new fixture. If the fixture is past saving, we can also handle a new fixture installation in the same visit.
Emergency: a burst supply line or valve under the sink
A braided supply line can split without warning and put out several gallons a minute. A cracked angle stop or a stem that blows out of a shower valve does the same. This is when to stop and act, not wait for morning.
Close the angle stop under the sink first. If the leak is behind a wall or the valve is the one leaking, close the main shutoff where the line enters the house. Then call, and keep towels moving so water does not reach cabinet floors or hardwood.
Do this while you wait
- Turn the angle stop clockwise (right to close)
- Close the main house valve if the stop will not hold
- Open the lowest faucet to drain pressure from the line
- Empty the cabinet and lay towels under the leak
- Turn off power to anything near standing water
- Take a photo of any damage for your records
Drips, spray and weak flow: reading what the faucet is telling you
A drip from the spout means a worn seat, washer or cartridge. Water around the handle points to an O-ring or packing. A leak from the base usually means the body seals have failed.
Weak flow on one side often points to a clogged aerator or a partly closed angle stop. If every fixture in the house is weak, that is a pressure problem, not a faucet problem.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from spout when off | Worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace cartridge or seat |
| Water at the handle | Dry O-ring or loose packing | New O-rings, tighten packing |
| Puddle at the base | Failed body seals or loose mount | Reseal or replace faucet |
| Low flow, one side | Clogged aerator or partly closed stop | Clean aerator, reopen stop |
| Hot and cold mix | Worn cartridge | Replace cartridge |
Need faucet repair in Westminster? Our phone line is open 24/7.
Call (714) 750-8637How hard Westminster water wears out cartridges and aerators
The City of Westminster reports average hardness of 252 mg/L, roughly 14.7 grains per gallon, and readings reach 413 at some times and places. That is hard water.
Hard water leaves white scale on aerators, cartridge seats and the inside of spouts. A faucet that sputters or feels gritty when you turn the handle often needs cleaning or a new cartridge. Soaking aerators in vinegar helps, and a softener or filter slows the buildup for the whole house.
Scale makes the cartridge stick, and forcing the handle can crack the ceramic discs. If a handle feels stiff, stop pushing and have it looked at before a small repair becomes a replacement.
Angle stops and supply lines: the parts people forget
The two small valves under every sink are called angle stops. They let you shut off one fixture without losing water in the whole house. In older homes they seize from lack of use, and some leak at the stem when you finally turn them.
Braided supply lines are the flexible hoses from the stop to the faucet. They age, kink and corrode at the nut. Replacing the lines and stops when a faucet is changed costs little and removes the weakest link. Toilet supply valves follow the same rules, and a toilet repair visit often covers them.
- Test each stop once a year by turning it closed and open again
- Replace any supply line that is bulging, rusty or more than a decade old
- Never overtighten compression nuts, which crush the seal
Same-day appointments are offered when available. Call to ask about faucet repair.
Call (714) 750-8637What 1970s Westminster houses hide behind the vanity
The median home here was built around 1971, and most neighborhoods went up during the 1960s growth boom. Original stops and chrome-plated fittings in homes that age are often corroded or fused to the pipe.
That matters because a simple faucet swap can turn into a valve replacement if the old stop snaps or will not close. When a stop does not shut off, the whole house has to be turned off at the main. Knowing where your main valve is before the work starts saves time.
Shower valves, tub spouts and outdoor spigots
A shower that drips after you shut it off, or runs hot and cold on its own, usually needs a new cartridge or valve trim. Many shower valves can be repaired from the front without opening the wall. Others, when the valve body is cracked or the wall is already open, need a full valve replacement.
Outdoor hose bibs fail by dripping at the handle or leaking behind the wall when a hose is left attached. In Westminster's mild climate, freeze damage is rare. Wear, scale and a hose left under pressure are the usual causes.
Repair or replace the faucet?
A cartridge or O-ring repair is the right call when the body is sound and the finish is still good. Replace the faucet if the body is cracked, parts are no longer made, or repeated repairs are adding up.
Cost depends on the fixture, the parts and how accessible the valves are. A cartridge swap is often a modest job, while a new faucet with new stops and lines costs more. We give you a clear price before work starts, so you can choose.
Choose replacement if
- The body or base is cracked
- Finish is peeling or pitted from scale
- Parts are discontinued
- You have already repaired it more than once
- The sink is getting a new look anyway
Getting ready for the visit
Clear the cabinet under the sink and note where the main shutoff is. If you have the faucet model number or a photo of the manufacturer stamp, keep it handy. It helps match the cartridge on the first trip.
The 24/7 phone line also covers urgent failures outside normal hours, and same-day appointments are offered when available. We serve Westminster, Midway City and nearby towns, and you can read about the areas we cover.
According to the City of Westminster's 2024 Water Quality Report, lead at the 90th percentile was 1.31 ppb and copper was 0.198 ppm, both under the action levels. Fixture work follows the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5).
Faucet repair questions from Westminster homeowners
Do you handle faucet repair emergencies at night or on weekends in Westminster?
Yes. The phone line is answered 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call and describe what the faucet or valve is doing, and shut off the water at the angle stop while you wait.
Why does my faucet drip after I turn it off?
A worn cartridge, washer or valve seat is the usual cause. Scale from hard water can also keep the seal from closing fully. Replacing the worn part normally stops it.
Can you fix a faucet without replacing it?
Often yes. If the body is sound, a new cartridge, seat or O-ring is the standard repair. We tell you which option makes sense and the price before work starts.
The shutoff valve under my sink will not turn. What now?
Do not force it, since old stops can snap. Shut the water off at the main valve and call. The stop may need to be replaced when the faucet is repaired.
Why is water pressure low at only one faucet?
A clogged aerator is the most common cause, especially with hard water. Unscrew the tip, soak it in vinegar and rinse. If it is still weak, the cartridge or supply line may be restricted.
Do you repair shower and tub faucets too?
Yes. We replace cartridges and valve trim, and repair or replace the valve itself when needed. Some need wall access, which we explain up front.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we are licensed and insured. You can check any contractor license at the California State License Board website under Check a License.