Emergency Faucet and Sink Repair in Union City, GA

When a faucet or valve leak is an emergency

Call right away if water is spraying, if a supply line has split, if a shutoff valve will not close, or if the cabinet under the sink is filling. Water inside a wall behind a tub or a shower is also urgent. A steady drip from a spout is not an emergency, though it wastes more than it seems.

1. Find the valve under the sink and turn it clockwise. Hot is usually on the left and cold on the right.
2. If the valve spins freely, leaks at the handle, or will not turn, go to the main shutoff where water enters the house.
3. Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain pressure from the lines.
4. Empty the cabinet, soak up the water, and photograph the damage.
5. Call (770) 214-4545 and tell the dispatcher whether the water stopped and which fixture failed.

The EPA says a faucet dripping about once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. That is the reason even a slow drip deserves a scheduled fix. A running spray or a broken stop deserves a same-night call.

Shutoff valves, and what to do when yours will not close

The small valve under a sink is called an angle stop. Most are old multi-turn valves that have not moved in years. Minerals crust the stem, the packing dries out, and the valve either fails to seal or leaks at the handle when you turn it.

Do not force a stuck valve with pliers. The stem can snap and let water through. If it will not turn, close the main shutoff and call. A plumber replaces the stop with a quarter-turn ball valve, which is easier to operate and less likely to seize.

A burst or cracked supply line is the other common cause. Braided lines can fail at the crimped end where they meet the valve. If water is spraying from the pipe in the wall rather than the fixture, the problem is a burst pipe, and the main should be closed until it is fixed.

Faucet repair by type, and what is inside

A plumber matches the part to the faucet by brand and model. Many fixtures are discontinued, and a cartridge that is no longer made means replacing the faucet. The EPA notes that worn washers and gaskets are a common cause of leaks. Turn the water off at the stop before opening any faucet.

Symptom, likely part, and whether to repair or replace

The rule is simple. Repair when one wearing part has failed on a sound faucet, and replace when the body, finish, or parts are past saving.

Shower and tub, from the valve to the drain

A shower that drips after you turn it off usually has a worn cartridge or valve seat inside the wall. The EPA says a showerhead dripping 10 times per minute wastes more than 500 gallons a year, and that tightening the connection to the pipe stem and adding thread tape often helps. A leak behind the handle can mean the valve itself is failing.

A bathtub faucet repair starts with the trim, handle, and cartridge. If the water will not shut off completely, the stop under the sink will not help, so the main needs to be closed until the shower valve is replaced. Access panels behind the tub make the work easier when they are present.

A tub or shower that drains slowly is a clog, often hair and soap in the trap. A snake or drain tool clears it, and more than one slow drain may point to a deeper problem. For that, see drain cleaning.

Outdoor spigots and utility sinks

A hose bib that drips at the handle needs new packing or a washer. One that leaks at the wall, or that sprays inside the wall when the hose is on, may have split during a freeze. The January 2024 cold snap burst pipes across metro Atlanta, and a master plumber quoted by Atlanta News First said Georgia homes generally have little insulation. Check every spigot after hard freezes.

A utility sink in a laundry room or garage uses the same faucet types, but the tub is often plastic and the plumbing is exposed. Leaks usually come from the supply lines, the faucet base, or the drain connection under the sink.

What Union City households should know

Renters make up most Union City households, and they are usually the first to find a spraying faucet. Close the valve, then tell the property manager the same day. A written note with photos is the best way to move a repair along.

Union City buys treated water from Atlanta, and the city's water quality report does not list hardness. Mineral buildup in aerators and cartridges depends on hardness, so a tap test helps you decide how often to clean them. If you suspect water is escaping inside a wall, a leak detection visit can find it without opening drywall at random.

Before the plumber arrives

• Clear the cabinet and put a bucket or towels under any drip.
• Check the water meter. If the dial keeps moving with everything off, there may be another leak.
• Keep the main shutoff location clear and the handle accessible.
• Write down the faucet brand from the base or the box, if you have it.
• Keep a flashlight handy, since the shutoff valves are often at the back of a dark cabinet.

What changes the price of faucet and sink repair

A burst supply line that floods a cabinet is the kind of sudden and accidental event many policies cover. A slow drip that rotted a cabinet over months is treated differently. Ask your insurer before the visit and keep photos.

The price depends on the part and the access. Want your real number? Call (770) 214-4545.

Common questions about faucet and sink repair in Union City