Faucet & Sink Repair in Alexandria, VA
Dripping faucets, corroded shutoff valves, and failed sink fittings repaired or replaced, most jobs finished in one visit.
A dripping faucet or a sink that won't shut off completely is one of the most common calls this team gets from Alexandria's older rowhouses, where original shutoff valves and fittings from the 1940s and 1950s have been corroding quietly for decades. Most faucet and sink repairs are diagnosed and fixed in a single visit, whether the issue is a worn cartridge, a corroded valve, or a fitting that finally gave out.
Local CauseWhy Alexandria Faucets and Valves Fail Early
Homes in Old Town and Del Ray built before the 1960s often still have their original brass shutoff valves, and decades of mineral buildup from municipal water leaves them stiff, corroded, or seized entirely by the time a fixture needs service. Newer builds around Carlyle and Eisenhower East see a different pattern: modern cartridge faucets that wear out their internal seals within 8 to 12 years of daily use, which shows up first as a slow drip rather than a full leak.
Signs to Watch ForSigns a Faucet or Sink Needs Repair
Persistent Drip
A faucet that keeps dripping after being fully closed usually means a worn cartridge or washer.
Valve Won't Shut Off
A shutoff valve that won't fully close, or won't turn at all, is a corrosion problem common in pre-1960s homes.
Water Around the Base
Moisture pooling at the base of a faucet or under a sink often points to a failed seal or cracked supply line.
Low Pressure at One Fixture
Reduced flow from a single faucet, rather than the whole house, usually traces to a clogged aerator or a partially closed valve.
Faucet Won't Stop Dripping?
Most repairs are diagnosed and fixed the same day you call.
How the Repair Is Diagnosed
A technician first isolates whether the problem is the faucet itself, the shutoff valve, or the supply line fitting behind it, since all three can produce a similar drip or leak at the fixture. On older Alexandria homes, that often means checking the condition of the original valve stem before touching the faucet. A stiff or corroded valve can turn a straightforward cartridge swap into a bigger job if it fails while the water is isolated.
Repair OptionsRepair vs. Full Replacement
Repair
- Lower upfront cost
- Fixes cartridge, washer, or seal issues
- Keeps existing fixture and finish
- Best for fixtures under 10 years old
Full Replacement
- Resolves corroded valve or body issues
- Fresh finish and updated fixture
- Fewer future service calls
- Recommended for fixtures 15+ years old
What This Typically Costs
Exact quote after inspection, before any work begins.
Faucet and sink repairs are routine maintenance and are not typically covered by homeowner's insurance unless the failure caused separate water damage to the home.
Before You CallWhat to Check Before You Call
Find the valve under the sink before calling, since a stuck valve is useful information for the technician to know in advance.
A drip that started suddenly versus one that's worsened over months points to different likely causes.
Look under the cabinet for warped wood or staining, since prolonged leaks under a sink can go unnoticed for weeks.
Common Questions
Yes, most drips are a worn cartridge, washer, or O-ring, and can be repaired without replacing the fixture, unless the valve body itself has corroded.
Original brass valves in pre-1960s Alexandria homes commonly seize from decades of mineral buildup. This usually requires careful replacement rather than forcing the handle, which can snap the stem.
Yes, for standard non-emergency repairs like this one, before any work begins.
Most repairs are completed in under an hour once the technician is on-site, though a seized valve replacement can add time.
We work with all major fixture brands and can source a matching replacement, or recommend an upgrade if the current model is discontinued.
Often Paired With This Job
A dripping faucet in a home with older galvanized supply lines is sometimes an early sign of a bigger issue, worth a quick check during general plumbing repair.
If water has been pooling under the sink for a while, water damage restoration may be needed before the cabinet dries out completely.
Homes with persistent low water pressure at multiple fixtures should also consider a leak detection check for a hidden supply-line issue.
Also Serving
Faucet Still Dripping?
Most repairs are finished the same day you call, anywhere in Alexandria.
☎ Call (703) 912-0567