Dripping or Leaking Faucet in Chesapeake, VA?
A dripping or leaking faucet isn’t just annoying — it wastes real money. A faucet leaking at just one drop per second wastes roughly 2,000 gallons of water a year, and that number only climbs the longer it’s ignored. What starts as a minor drip can also point to a bigger problem building behind the wall, so it’s worth understanding what’s actually going on before it gets worse.
What Causes a Leaky Faucet?
Most faucet leaks trace back to one of a handful of causes, and the right fix depends entirely on which one you’re dealing with:
- High water pressure — pressure above what your fixtures are rated for stresses seals and connections over time, and often shows up as leaks in multiple faucets around the same time.
- A worn pressure regulator — if your home’s pressure-reducing valve is failing, pressure throughout the house can creep upward without you noticing until fixtures start leaking.
- Worn washers, O-rings, or valve seats — the most common cause in older or heavily used faucets. These are inexpensive parts, but replacing the wrong one (or missing a second worn part nearby) means the leak comes right back.
- A failing cartridge — modern single-handle faucets use a cartridge instead of a traditional washer, and a worn cartridge usually shows up as a leak that happens only when the handle is in a certain position.
The professional plumbers at Premier Plumbing diagnose the actual cause and fix it correctly the first time — not just patch the symptom and have you calling again in six months.
Kitchen Faucets vs. Bathroom Faucets: Different Wear Patterns
Kitchen faucets see the heaviest daily use in the house and often have a pull-down or pull-out sprayer with its own hose and cartridge — a separate point of failure from the main faucet body. Leaks at the base of a kitchen faucet are frequently a worn O-ring rather than the faucet itself.
Bathroom faucets typically see lighter use but are more likely to suffer from mineral buildup, especially in areas with harder water, which can gradually restrict flow or cause a faucet to drip even when fully shut off. Older bathroom faucets with separate hot and cold handles use a different internal mechanism than single-handle designs and often need different replacement parts.
Repair or Replace? How to Decide
Not every leaky faucet needs to be replaced. As a general guide:
- Repair usually makes sense if the faucet is under 10 years old, the leak is isolated to a washer, O-ring, or cartridge, and the faucet body itself shows no corrosion or damage.
- Replacement usually makes more sense if the faucet is older, parts are difficult to source for a discontinued model, there’s visible corrosion or mineral buildup that keeps causing repeat leaks, or you’re already remodeling the space.
We’ll give you an honest recommendation based on what we actually find — not a default push toward the more expensive option.
Kitchen and Bathroom Faucet Replacement & Installation
Like any plumbing fixture, faucets eventually wear out and need replacement — or maybe you’re remodeling and want something new installed. Our plumbers handle installation for all types of interior and exterior faucets, including bathroom sink, bathtub, kitchen, and outdoor faucets. We also replace bathtub handle valves, faucet washers, and shower heads and handles.
Common Questions About Faucet Repair
Can I just tighten the faucet to stop the drip?
Usually not for long. A drip almost always means a worn internal part rather than a loose fitting, and over-tightening a faucet handle can actually damage the cartridge or valve further.
Why does my faucet only drip sometimes?
Intermittent dripping — especially tied to water temperature or handle position — often points to a cartridge issue rather than a simple washer problem, since cartridges control both flow and temperature mixing.
Is a dripping faucet actually costing me money?
Yes. A single faucet dripping at one drop per second wastes roughly 2,000 gallons a year — and a faster leak or multiple leaking fixtures adds up quickly on a water bill.
Do I need to shut off my water before you arrive?
Not necessary in most cases — most faucet repairs use a local shutoff valve under the sink, so the rest of your home’s water stays on during the repair.
Providing Faucet Repair & Installation Throughout Hampton Roads
Premier Plumbing provides fast, professional faucet service to:
- Virginia Beach
- Norfolk
- Chesapeake
- Newport News
- Hampton
- Portsmouth
- Suffolk
- Williamsburg
- Poquoson
Why Call Premier Plumbing at (757) 436-7901
A leaking faucet rarely fixes itself, and small drips have a way of becoming bigger problems if the underlying cause — pressure, a worn part, a failing valve — goes unaddressed. Premier Plumbing diagnoses the real issue and repairs it right the first time, whether that’s a simple washer replacement or a full faucet swap.