A valve that will not shut off right now
The worst faucet call is the one where the shutoff itself fails. The stem snaps, the handle spins with nothing behind it, or water sprays from the packing nut when you try to close it. In that case the only control left is the main water valve, usually near the front hose bib, in the garage, or at the meter box.
Once the main is off, open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the line and take photos of the wet area. Do not keep forcing a stuck stop, because a cracked valve body sends water straight into the cabinet. Call and tell the dispatcher what the valve did, so the plumber arrives with the right stop, supply lines and a replacement cartridge.
Faucet types and what usually wears out
| Faucet or valve | What fails | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Compression (two handles with washers) | Rubber seat washer or worn brass seat | Replace the washer, or resurface the seat |
| Cartridge single-handle | Worn O-rings or a cracked cartridge | Replace the cartridge |
| Ball or disc type | Springs, seals or a pitted disc | Rebuild kit or full replacement |
| Shower valve | Cartridge, stem or diverter | Replace the cartridge or diverter, sometimes the valve body |
| Under-sink angle stop | Stem packing, seat or a seized valve | Replace the stop and the supply line |
| Outdoor hose bib | Packing, vacuum breaker or a split body | Replace the valve or the short pipe behind it |
Descriptions only, not quotes. The cause is confirmed once the handle or trim comes off.
Faucet or stop valve gushing? Shut the main and call the 24/7 line.
Call (855) 575-2890Faucet problems worth a call
A faucet that drips once a second wastes water around the clock, and the part that causes it keeps wearing. These problems should not be left.
- A steady drip from the spout with the handle fully closed
- Water around the base of the faucet or under the handle
- Hot and cold swapped, or a handle that spins without effect
- Low flow from one faucet only, which suggests a clogged aerator or cartridge
- A tub spout that keeps running when the shower diverter is pulled
- Shower temperature that jumps between hot and cold
- A wet cabinet floor or a musty smell under the sink
- A supply stop that weeps at the nut or does not turn
Low flow from one faucet is nearly always local, usually a clogged aerator or worn cartridge. If every faucet is weak, look at the line pressure instead, which belongs under water line repair.
Shower valves and tub faucets
Shower valves hide behind tile, so the symptoms are what you can see: a handle that feels loose, water that turns scalding when someone flushes a toilet, or a tub spout that dribbles when the shower is on. Most single-handle valves have a replaceable cartridge, and a plumber can reach it from the trim side without opening the wall.
When the valve body itself is cracked or the stems are corroded, the wall has to be opened. We tell you that before starting, not after. Tub drains that clog or run slowly are a separate problem, and if the tub is the real trouble, drain cleaning is where that gets fixed.
Supply stops, supply lines and hidden leaks
The braided lines and angle stops under a sink are inexpensive parts that fail in expensive ways. A line that weeps slowly can rot a cabinet floor in months, and a stop that has not been turned in a decade often leaks the moment someone tries to close it. We replace the stop and the line together, because a new line on an old stop leaves the weakest part in place.
If you find a wet spot you cannot trace, do not assume it is the faucet. A leak behind a wall or under a slab can show up under a sink, and our leak detection work uses a pressure test and acoustic listening to find it before anything is cut open.
Hose bibs and outdoor spigots
Many lake-city homes have two or three outdoor spigots for boats, gardens and washdowns, and they take more abuse than any fixture indoors. A hose left connected holds pressure and cracks the valve, and the leak that follows runs inside the wall where nobody sees it. A hose bib that drips at the handle needs new packing, and one that weeps from the pipe behind it needs replacing.
A modest cold snap can also split an exposed spigot in Central Florida, so check each one after any night that drops near freezing. Tavares has reclaimed water for irrigation in some areas, so confirm a spigot is potable before you fill a pool or drink from it.
What faucet repair costs
A cartridge swap is a short visit. A new shower valve behind tile is another job entirely. These are the pieces that set the price.
A worn washer or cartridge is cheap. A faucet whose finish is pitted or whose parts are no longer made is better replaced.
A stop that will not close adds a step, since the main valve has to be used and the stop replaced.
An open sink base is quick. A shower valve behind tile requires opening the wall.
Solid brass faucets from known brands cost more than lightweight ones and last longer.
After-hours dispatch can add a cost, and you hear it before work starts.
A sudden valve failure that floods a kitchen is often covered for the water damage, but not for the faucet. A dripping faucet left for months is usually treated as maintenance, so photograph and report quickly.
Want your real number? Describe the job to a dispatcher and the price is explained before work starts.
How the visit goes
- 01Water off
The plumber closes the stops or the main valve and checks that they hold.
- 02Find the cause
The handle and trim come off, the cartridge or seat is inspected, and you are shown the worn part.
- 03Price explained
You hear the cost of the repair and any better alternative before the work proceeds.
- 04Repair and test
New parts go in, water is turned on slowly, and every connection is checked under pressure.
Faucet repair around Tavares
Tavares has a mix of newer subdivisions and older buildings near East Main Street, and the fixtures in each are different. Downtown units may still have the original compression faucets and galvanized stubs, which corrode on the inside. Homes by Lake Dora often have more outdoor taps than inland ones.
We also take calls in Mount Dora, where historic homes use older faucet styles that are hard to match. Ask the dispatcher if the style is unusual, so the plumber can bring options.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The dispatch line runs 24 hours a day. If a valve will not close, shut the main water valve, then call. A licensed plumber will be scheduled as soon as the day allows and will bring supply stops and cartridges for the job.
Yes, and it is worth doing. A slow drip wastes water every day and means a washer, O-ring or cartridge is wearing, which gets worse over time. Most drips are repaired on one visit with a new part.
A single weak faucet usually has a clogged aerator or a blocked cartridge. Unscrew the aerator at the tip and rinse it. If the flow stays weak, the cartridge needs replacing. Low pressure in every faucet is a different problem.
Repair when the body and finish are sound and parts are available. Replace when the finish is pitted, the body is cracked or parts are discontinued. The plumber will show you the worn part and explain which makes more sense.
Do not keep turning it. Close the main water valve, then have the stop replaced along with its supply line. Old valves often seize or leak at the stem because the packing has dried out.
Sometimes. If only the cartridge has failed, it is replaced from the trim side. If the valve body is cracked or corroded, the wall must be opened, and we will say that before work begins so you can plan for tile repair.
A drip is a bill, and a broken valve is a flood. Call for either.
Call (855) 575-2890Sources and standards
Where this page cites a local fact, it comes from a public City of Tavares page, another city's own web page or a published water quality report. Where a figure is not published, the page says so instead of guessing.
Plumbing work in Florida is governed by the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, which is the standard inspectors apply, and permit rules vary by city. The contact page explains how to reach us, and any plumber's license can be checked with the Verify a License tool at MyFloridaLicense.com.