Fixtures · West Linn, OR
West Linn Faucet & Sink Repair: Drips, Leaks and Putting In New Fixtures
A drip that keeps you up, a puddle under the sink, a shower valve that will not shut off. Most fixture leaks are small repairs, and small repairs waste less water and cause less damage when they are done early.
Call West Linn OR Expert Plumbers and describe where the water appears. A plumber will tell you what to try first and what the visit would involve.
A dripping faucet: what is usually wearing out
Faucets drip because a part inside has worn. Which part depends on the type of faucet.
| Faucet type | What usually fails | What the repair is |
|---|---|---|
| Single handle, cartridge type | The cartridge or its O-rings | Replace the cartridge |
| Two handles, compression type | A rubber washer or the seat it presses on | Replace the washer or reseat |
| Ball or disc type | Seals, springs or the ball | Replace the repair kit |
| Spray head or pull-down | The hose, its connection or the diverter | Replace the hose or diverter |
Close the shutoff valve under the sink before you take anything apart, and put the drain stopper in so small parts do not fall in. If the shutoff valve itself leaks or will not close, it needs replacing, which is also a plumber's job.
Water under the sink: tracing the source
Dry the cabinet, set a piece of dry paper towel in the bottom and run the water. Where the paper gets wet first tells you where the leak is.
- At the shutoff valves: a worn valve or a loose nut.
- At the supply lines to the faucet: a loose or worn connector.
- At the trap or the drain pipe: a loose slip nut or a worn washer.
- Around the base of the faucet: a worn seal or a loose mounting nut.
- From the sink itself: a failed seal around the drain or the rim.
A leak that only shows when the faucet runs points to the faucet or its supply line. A leak that only shows when the sink drains points to the trap or the drain.
Call now if a supply line is spraying or the shutoff will not stop it. Close the main water shutoff at the house, then call.
Low flow from one faucet: usually the aerator
If one faucet runs weakly and the others are fine, the aerator at the tip is the first thing to check. Minerals and sediment collect in its screen.
- Unscrew the aerator. Turn it counterclockwise by hand, or with a cloth and pliers if it is tight, so the finish is not scratched.
- Clean the screen. Rinse out the debris and soak the screen in vinegar if it is crusted.
- Refit and test. Screw it back and run the water. If flow is still weak, the cartridge or the supply line may be restricted.
Shower valve and bathtub leak repair
A shower that drips after you turn it off, a handle that is hard to turn or a tub spout that runs usually points to a worn valve cartridge. The cartridge sits behind the handle and is replaceable.
If water stains appear on the ceiling below the bathroom, or the wall around the valve feels damp, stop using the shower and call. A leak inside the wall needs the leak detection steps explained on the hidden leak detection page.
A tub or shower that leaks around the drain, or a tub that seeps through the surround, is a bathroom leak and not only a valve repair. Say where the water appears on the call.
Outdoor faucets and hose bibs
An outdoor faucet that drips, leaks behind the handle or sprays from the wall needs attention, because water that runs inside a wall is hard to see.
- Disconnect hoses before cold weather, and leave the faucet open so it can drain once the inside shutoff, if there is one, is closed.
- Shut the interior valve to a hose bib that has one, and open the outside faucet to drain it.
- Do not leave a hose attached and submerged, for example in a bucket or pool, because water can siphon back into the house plumbing.
The City of West Linn's water quality report names outdoor taps and garden hoses as the most common source of cross-connections at home, which is why the last point matters. After the January 2024 winter storm, burst pipes were reported across the Portland area, and a plumber quoted in a KPTV report said hose bibs were among the places to protect.
Faucet and sink installation
Installing a new faucet or sink looks simple and has a few places to go wrong. A plumber checks the shutoff valves, replaces worn supply lines, matches the faucet to the number of holes in the sink and tests every connection.
- Holes in the sink: a faucet with the wrong number of holes needs a base plate or a different faucet.
- Shutoff valves: old valves that have not been turned in years often leak when moved, so replacing them during the job is common.
- Supply lines: new ones are inexpensive and worth replacing.
- Drain and trap: a new sink may need a different trap or drain assembly.
- Sealing: sink rims and drain flanges need proper sealant.
Ask what comes with the fixture and what the plumber supplies. If you buy a designer faucet yourself, bring the model number to the call.
Shutoff valves under the sink
The small valves under a sink, often called angle stops, let you shut off one fixture without losing water to the house. They are worth testing once a year by closing and reopening them gently.
A valve that has seized, weeps at the stem or will not close fully is a common reason a simple faucet repair turns into a bigger job. Replacing it at the same visit is common and sensible, because the next failure will be at the worst time. Ask the plumber to test each valve before work starts.
When a fixture leak is not only a fixture
A faucet can be a symptom of a bigger problem. Low pressure at every tap, rust-colored water or repeated pinhole leaks across the house are not faucet problems. The page on replacing supply lines covers that decision.
A leak under the sink that is actually the toilet's supply, or a running toilet, belongs on the toilet repair page.
Details for a faucet or sink call
- Which fixture and where the water appears.
- Whether the shutoff valve under it works.
- The faucet's brand, if you know it, or a photo.
- Whether the problem is a drip, a spray, low flow or a leak below.
- How old the fixture is.
Faucet and sink questions
Why is my faucet dripping and can I fix it myself?
A drip usually means a worn cartridge, washer, O-ring or seat inside the faucet. If you can close the shutoff valve under the sink and replace the part, it is a manageable repair. If the shutoff valve is stuck or leaks, the faucet is old or the handle will not come apart, call a plumber instead of forcing it.
Dripping or leaking fixture? Call West Linn OR Expert Plumbers
Say which fixture it is, where the water shows and whether the shutoff works. You will hear what to try first and what a visit would cover. The fixture questions answered section has quick checks.