Nearly 78% of Forest Park homes were built before 1980, so faucet repairs here often involve compression fixtures, worn seats and stops that won't close. A plumber can rebuild what's sound or replace the faucet and stops together. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Forest Park.
Forest Park's older housing
Forest Park grew up as a railroad stop just south of I-285, and its housing is among the oldest in the metro: the median home was built in 1965, and about 78% predate 1980. Bathrooms and kitchens in those houses may have a second- or third-generation faucet on original stub-outs, or a two-handle compression faucet with brass stems. The stops underneath are often the weak point, and a plumber may suggest replacing them while the water is off.
Clayton County Water Authority supplies water and sewer throughout the county and owns the service line up to the meter; from the meter in is the customer's. CCWA also installs and tests residential backflow devices itself. Forest Park requires a city permit for plumbing installation work.
Fixing versus replacing
| Situation | Usual choice |
|---|---|
| Parts no longer made or brand unknown | Replace the faucet |
| Handle stiff from buildup | Repair: clean or replace the cartridge |
| Frost-free spigot split by freezing | Replace the sillcock |
| Outdoor spigot washer worn | Repair the spigot |
| Several problems at once on an old fixture | Replace the faucet |
| Leak only at the supply connection | Repair: new connector or stop valve |
| You want a new style or finish anyway | Replace the faucet |
| Drip from a mainstream-brand faucet in good shape | Repair with a new cartridge or washer |
Clues it's time to call
- Hot and cold that no longer blend smoothly, or a temperature that drifts while you use it
- A tub spout that keeps running after the shower diverter is pulled
- Flaking finish or corrosion on an older faucet body
- Water collecting around the base of the faucet or seeping out under the handle
- Handles that spin loosely or wobble on their stems
- A squeal or chatter in the pipes when a tap is opened partway
- Swollen particleboard, stains or a musty smell inside the sink cabinet
- A lever that sticks, grinds or only shuts off in one exact position
Seasonal timing
Outdoor spigots are the faucets most likely to fail after a hard freeze. Disconnect hoses in late fall, and if the house has an indoor shutoff for the hose bib, close it and drain the line. A spigot that leaks the first time it's used in spring should be checked before water runs inside the wall.
Faucet Repair questions in Forest Park
Should old two-handle faucets be swapped for single-lever ones?
The shutoff valve under my sink won't turn. Should I force it?
Who is responsible for the pipe that feeds my faucets and spigots?
Is mineral scale a big cause of faucet problems here?
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