Faucet and Sink Repair in Mission Viejo, CA
A drip is a bill. A leak under the sink is a floor. Call any hour to find the failing part and fix it.
- 24/7 emergency calls
- Nights, weekends and holidays
- Mission Viejo, CA
Start Under the Sink
Faucet and sink repair in Mission Viejo, CA often turns out to be a problem below the counter. Many people blame the faucet when the real leak is at a supply line, a slip nut or the drain trap. A flashlight and a dry paper towel tell you a lot.
- Run the faucet and touch each joint with the paper towel. A wet spot marks the leak.
- Look at the cabinet floor for swelling or a stain. Damp particle board is a sign of a slow leak.
- Check the shutoff valves, also called angle stops. A drip at the stem means the packing is worn.
- Close both valves if water is spraying. Turn them clockwise until they stop.
Faucet Problems and Their Causes
| Problem | What fails | Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Drips from the spout | A worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace the cartridge or the washer and seat |
| Water at the base of the handle | A worn O-ring or seal | Replace the seals and tighten the packing |
| Low flow | A clogged aerator or a partly closed stop | Clean or replace the aerator and open the stop fully |
| Hot and cold swap or do not mix | A cartridge or a crossed supply line | Replace the cartridge or reconnect the lines |
| Faucet loose on the counter | A mounting nut worked loose | Tighten or replace the mounting hardware |
| Whole faucet corroded or pitted | Age and mineral buildup | Replace the faucet |
In hard water, mineral deposits clog aerators and wear cartridges faster. Moulton Niguel's 2022 report puts its water near 16 grains per gallon, so scale on a faucet is a common sight here.
What a Drip Really Costs
EPA WaterSense says replacing old faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons a year. A labeled bathroom faucet flows at no more than 1.5 gallons per minute, about 30 percent below a standard 2.2 gpm faucet. Those numbers are for efficient fixtures, but a steady drip wastes water in its own way.
A faucet that drips once a second adds up over a year of nights and weekends. The part that fails is usually small and inexpensive, and replacing it protects the cabinet and the water bill. Waiting makes the seat wear and turns a cartridge job into a faucet replacement.
If you are unsure whether the drip is the faucet or a hidden leak, see leak detection in Mission Viejo.
Sink Drain, Trap and Garbage Disposal Issues
A sink that drains slowly or backs up is a drain problem and not a faucet one. The trap, the curved pipe below the sink, can hold a clog of grease and hair. A leak there is often a loose slip nut or a cracked washer.
If the sink has a disposal, a jam or a leak at the unit has its own page. See garbage disposal repair and installation. A clog that reaches other fixtures is a line problem. See emergency drain cleaning.
Repair, Replace or Upgrade
Find the failing part
The plumber isolates the leak or the drip and tells you which part it is.
Choose repair or replace
A cartridge or a seal is a repair. A corroded or loose faucet is better replaced, and a new one can be a flow-limited model.
Test and clean up
The supply lines and drain are tested for leaks, the aerator is set and the cabinet is left dry.
Faucet or sink leaking?
Close the valves under the sink, then call. Describe where the water shows up and the plumber will tell you what else to check.
Sources and Standards
Local figures and standards on this page come from these published sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The emergency line is answered 24/7. If water is spraying, close the valves under the sink and call.
A worn cartridge, washer or seat is the usual cause. Hard water speeds the wear.
A supply line, slip nut or drain trap may be leaking, or the shutoff valve stem is dripping. A plumber can trace which joint it is.
If it is a cartridge or a seal, yes. If the body is corroded or pitted, replacement is the better value.
Unscrew it from the spout, soak it in vinegar to dissolve the scale and rinse it. If it is worn, replace it.
Yes. A slow leak under the sink can swell the cabinet and rot the base. Fix it early.
Leaking Faucet or Sink? Call Now
Call any hour for faucet and sink repair in Mission Viejo. Shut the valves under the sink and describe where the water shows up.
Call (949) 998-2846