Most Clarkston homes and apartments date to the 1970s and 1980s, so faucet calls often involve worn washers, cartridges and stop valves of that age. A plumber can usually rebuild the faucet or replace it the same visit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
Clarkston basics
About 53% of Clarkston housing predates 1980, with roughly 31% built in the 1970s alone. Water and sewer are DeKalb County's, not the city's; DeKalb owns the line through the meter. Clarkston requires a permit for fixture work that alters piping.
Steps to take right away
- Photograph the faucet and any brand markings so the plumber can match parts.
- Close the stop valves under the sink by turning them clockwise by hand. If they won't budge, leave them and use the main shutoff.
- Pin down where the water is coming from: the spout, under the handle, the base, the sprayer hose or the supply connections.
- Watch the cabinet floor and the wall behind the sink for soft spots or staining.
- Unscrew the aerator, rinse out any grit and see whether the flow improves.
- Know where the main shutoff is, usually where the line enters the house or near the meter, in case a valve gives out.
- Resist cranking the handle harder to stop a drip; that tends to crush the washer or seat and make it worse.
Call now to be connected with a local plumber in Clarkston.
(404) 637-2993Reading the symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Water at the base of a swivel spout | Worn spout O-rings |
| Leak under the handle | Failed O-ring or stem packing |
| Outdoor spigot leaks at the handle | Loose packing nut or worn washer |
| Handle stiff or grinding | Buildup inside the valve or a worn cartridge |
| Pull-down sprayer drips | Worn hose or sprayer head |
| Low flow from a single tap | Clogged aerator or debris in the cartridge |
| Spout drips when the faucet is off | Worn cartridge, washer or valve seat |
Cost drivers to know about
- Supply connectors. Old plastic or braided connectors are often changed while the water is already off.
- Parts availability. Mainstream brands have cartridges on supply-house shelves; an unbranded or discontinued faucet is harder to match, which tilts the decision toward replacement.
- Hidden damage. A slow leak that has soaked the cabinet floor or subfloor can turn into more work than the faucet itself.
- Outdoor spigots. A washer is quick; a frost-free sillcock that split inside the wall may mean opening a wall or working from the crawl space.
- Faucet style. Pull-down kitchen faucets, wall-mount fixtures and widespread bath sets take longer than a basic centerset.
- Access. Rusted mounting nuts, a deep apron sink or a cramped vanity can stretch a simple repair.
Faucet Repair questions in Clarkston
Does faucet work need a permit, and who issues it?
Clarkston requires a permit for fixture work that involves altering piping, as well as for water heater replacement and new plumbing. A faucet swapped in place without touching the piping usually isn't in that group, but the plumber can confirm.
Why does a faucet keep dripping after it's shut off?
Inside every faucet a washer, cartridge or ceramic disc closes off the flow. When that part wears or picks up grit, water slips past it. Replacing the worn part usually ends the drip, and the plumber can tell you if the seat underneath is damaged too.
The shutoff valve under my sink won't turn. Should I force it?
No. Old multi-turn stops can snap or start leaking at the stem when forced. Close the main shutoff instead and have the plumber replace the stop, which is often done during a faucet repair anyway.
Why does one faucet run weaker than all the others?
When only one tap is slow, the cause is almost always at that fixture: a clogged aerator, grit in the cartridge, or a partly closed or failing stop valve. If every tap is weak, look elsewhere in the house plumbing.
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(404) 637-2993Sources
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