A dripping faucet is an annoyance. A shutoff valve that snaps off in your hand, or a supply line that lets go under the sink, is an emergency, and our dispatch line is open 24/7 for exactly that. Emergency faucet and sink repair in Holly Springs means a licensed plumber stops the water, replaces what failed and gives you the price before work starts.
If water is flowing right now, go straight to the main shutoff and read the next section while you wait for dispatch to answer.
A valve that will not shut off is the emergency
Most faucet problems are slow leaks you can schedule. These four are not, because the water keeps coming until someone stops it.
A supply line or connector is spraying
The braided hose under a sink or behind a toilet can split at the crimp. It can empty a lot of water onto a cabinet floor in minutes.
The shutoff valve under the sink is stuck, snapped or leaking at the stem
Those small oval or round valves are called angle stops. Old ones seize from mineral and corrosion, and forcing one can break the stem.
Water is running behind a tub or shower wall
A failed tub valve or a cracked connection inside the wall can show up as a stain on the ceiling below or a soft section of drywall.
The faucet will not turn off at all
A worn stem or cartridge that has let go means the handle spins freely and the spout keeps running. You have to close the water upstream.
While you wait for the plumber
Water damage grows by the hour, so these steps matter more than any tool.
- Close the small valve under the sink by turning it clockwise. If it will not move, do not force it.
- If it will not close, shut the main water valve where the line enters the house, usually near the meter or the water heater.
- Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the pipes and relieve pressure.
- Put a bucket under any drip and move cleaning products and stored items out of the cabinet.
- Take a quick photo of the wet area before you wipe it up, in case your insurer asks.
- Tell dispatch whether the main valve closed fully and where the water is going.
Shut the main if you can, then call. Dispatch will explain the visit and the price before any work begins.
What is inside your faucet
Knowing the type tells you what a repair will involve. We identify it when the handle is off.
| Faucet type | How it works | Typical failure | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | A rubber washer presses on a seat as you tighten the handle | Drip from the spout, worn washer or seat | New washers and a seat dressing or replacement |
| Cartridge | A sleeve slides or rotates inside the body to mix water | Leak at the handle, drip from the spout, stiff handle | Replace the cartridge |
| Ceramic disk | Two polished disks slide to control flow | Leak at the base or a cracked disk from debris | Replace the disk cartridge |
| Ball valve | A slotted ball rotates in the body | Leaks around the handle, worn seals and springs | Rebuild kit, or replace the faucet |
Supply lines and angle stops
The flexible lines under a sink and the valves they connect to take more abuse than the faucet above them. A supply line should be replaced if it is kinked, bulging, rusty at the nut or older than ten years. The angle stop should turn smoothly, and if it only works with force, it will fail when you need it most.
Replacing an angle stop means closing the main, cutting or unthreading the old valve and fitting a new one to the pipe. We use new lines every time and test every connection under pressure before the cabinet door closes.
Tub and shower valves, showerheads and diverters
A shower that drips after you turn it off, or a tub spout that leaks while the shower runs, usually points to a tired cartridge or diverter. Replacing the cartridge is often possible without opening the wall, as long as the trim and valve body are a match. If the valve body itself is corroded or the wall is open anyway, a new valve is the safer repair.
A leaking showerhead is simpler. Wrap the threads in plumber's tape, tighten by hand and a quarter turn, and check the washer inside the head. Water that keeps coming through the wall after that is the cue to call.
Slow or stopped tub drains
Hair and soap film gather in the first stretch of tub drain pipe, just below the stopper or strainer. The stopper linkage and overflow plate can also hide buildup behind them. We pull the strainer or stopper assembly first, then clear the line with a small cable.
If the tub and a toilet or sink slow down together, the clog is past the tub. Our drain cleaning page explains how a branch or main line is cleared.
Repair or replace the faucet
Parts for an older faucet can be hard to find, which is where the decision usually turns.
Repair works when
- A cartridge, washer or seal is the only worn part
- The finish is intact and the body is not pitted
- Matching parts are in stock for your model
- The fixture is only a few years old
Replace when
- The body is corroded, cracked or leaking at the base
- Repair kits have been discontinued
- The faucet leaks again soon after a repair
- You want a better layout or an upgraded style
Older fixtures and lead
CCWSA says local building standards required lead-free plumbing materials starting in 1992, and that homes built before then could still have some lead fixtures or solder. If your home is older, choose lead-free replacements when a faucet or valve is swapped. For a drinking water concern, ask CCWSA at 770-479-1813 about its annual water quality report and lead and copper sampling.
What affects the price of a faucet or valve job
We give a clear price before work starts. Insurance generally covers a sudden burst line but not a faucet worn out from age, so check your policy if water has already damaged a floor or cabinet.
Which part failed
A cartridge swap is a short visit. A corroded valve inside a wall takes longer.
How easy it is to reach the valve
A sink with a clear cabinet is quick. A tub valve behind tile may need an access panel.
The replacement faucet or valve you choose
A basic faucet and a designer fixture are very different purchases. You pick what you want to install.
Whether the main had to be shut off
If the home needs its water shut to fix the stop, there is more testing before water is restored.
Time of day
Nights and weekends can be priced differently, and dispatch tells you the number before anyone is sent.
Want your real number? Describe the fixture and the leak, and dispatch will walk you through the likely visit.
Faucets in Holly Springs kitchens and baths
The age of your house tells you what to expect behind the cabinet. Homes built before 1992 may still have older fixtures, and CCWSA suggests lead-free replacements. CCWSA also publishes an annual water quality report, so if your bill comes from them, it is a good place to read about what reaches your tap.
For permits, ask the City of Holly Springs at 770-345-5536 for work inside city limits. Outside the city, the Cherokee County Development Service Center at 770-721-7810 handles plumbing permits. Ask before you move or add a supply line. If you are in Hickory Flat and call for a faucet job, the same dispatch line covers you.
Faucet and sink repair questions
Do you handle faucet and valve emergencies at night or on weekends in Holly Springs?
Yes. Dispatch is open 24/7 for broken shutoff valves, burst supply lines and faucets that will not shut off. Say whether the main valve is closed and where the water is going, and you hear the price before work starts.
Why does my faucet keep dripping after I changed the washer?
The metal seat the washer presses against may be worn or pitted. A new washer cannot seal against a rough seat. The seat can be dressed or the faucet replaced.
What should I do if the shutoff valve under my sink is leaking at the handle?
Try tightening the packing nut a small amount with a wrench. If it keeps leaking or the stem is corroded, close the main and call. Replacing the angle stop is the lasting fix.
Can you fix a tub faucet without opening the wall?
Often yes. Many tub faucets have a cartridge that can be replaced through the trim. If the valve body is corroded or the handle trim does not match any current cartridge, the wall needs to be opened.
My tub drains slowly after every shower. Is that a faucet problem?
No, it is a drain problem. Hair near the stopper is the most common cause. If other fixtures slow down at the same time, the clog is deeper. See drain cleaning.
Should I replace my old faucet with a lead-free one?
If your home was built before 1992, yes, it is a sensible choice. CCWSA notes that older fixtures and solder can contain lead. Ask for lead-free fixtures when you choose a replacement.