A dripping faucet is one of the most common calls we get. Most of the time it's a simple fix. Sometimes it isn't. Here's how to tell the difference.
Why Faucets Drip
Almost every modern faucet — kitchen, bathroom, shower — controls water flow with a cartridge. It's a small cylinder inside the faucet body with seals and ports that open and close as you turn the handle.
Cartridges wear out. The rubber seals harden, mineral deposits build up (Barrie's water is moderately hard), and eventually water seeps past even when the handle is fully closed. That's your drip.
Older faucets use compression stems with rubber washers instead of cartridges. Same idea, different part — the washer wears down and needs replacing.
Repair vs. Replace: How to Decide
Repair it when:
- The faucet is less than 10 years old and the brand is still in business
- The finish still looks good — no pitting, flaking, or corrosion
- It's a single issue: one dripping handle, one stiff cartridge
- You can identify the brand and model (this matters more than people think)
Replace it when:
- The faucet body itself is corroded or pitted — new cartridges won't seal against a damaged body
- It's a no-name faucet and parts are unavailable
- You've already replaced the cartridge once and it's dripping again within a year
- The cost of the service call plus parts approaches the price of a new mid-range faucet
The Cartridge Problem Nobody Warns You About
Here's the part that trips up DIYers: cartridges are brand-specific and often model-specific. A Moen cartridge won't fit a Delta. A 5-year-old Pfister cartridge may already be discontinued.
Before you take anything apart:
- Find the brand name (usually on the faucet body or the original box)
- Take a photo of the faucet
- If you remove the cartridge, bring it with you to match it
Shut the water off first — both hot and cold supply valves under the sink. If those valves are seized (common in older Barrie homes), shut off the main.
What a Professional Faucet Repair Involves
- Shut off water and relieve pressure
- Remove the handle and trim
- Pull the cartridge or stem
- Inspect the faucet body for corrosion and mineral buildup
- Install the new cartridge with silicone-based plumber's grease (not petroleum-based — it degrades rubber seals)
- Reassemble, turn water back on, and check for leaks at every joint
The whole job typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per faucet when parts are on hand.
A Note on Cheap Replacement Faucets
If you do replace, avoid the cheapest options. Budget faucets use plastic internals that fail faster, and replacement cartridges are often impossible to find two years later. A mid-range faucet from an established brand costs more upfront and less over its lifetime.
Concepts Plumbing — Barrie, Ontario. If your faucet won't stop dripping, we'll diagnose it honestly and fix what's actually broken. Free Estimates. Honest Solutions. (705) 715-1513.
