Faucet Repair in Thornton, CO

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who covers Thornton. Expect a few quick questions: which faucet, kitchen or bath, one handle or two, and whether the problem is a drip, a leak under the sink or poor flow. If you know the brand, say so. Many single-lever faucets have the logo on the handle or the base, and a model number may be on a tag attached to the supply hose.

On site, the plumber shuts off the water at the stops, opens the faucet and inspects the cartridge or stem, the seals and the valve seats. You should hear whether a rebuild will hold or whether the faucet is past saving before any parts go in.

Cost factors

• Whether the fix is a cartridge or seal kit or a full new faucet
• How badly scale has fused the cartridge, handle or mounting nuts
• Availability of parts for the brand and model
• The condition of the stop valves and supply lines under the sink
• Extras such as a sprayer, soap dispenser or filter faucet on the same deck

Thornton's water and housing

Thornton Water's annual report lists hardness of roughly 152 to 356 mg/L, averaging about 230 mg/L, or around 13.5 grains per gallon, and says the treatment plants do not remove it. At that level, calcium deposits form quickly on aerator screens, inside cartridges and around the spout. A handle that feels gritty or a spray that fans out sideways is often scale at work. A water softener or regular aerator cleaning can slow the problem.

Most homes are fairly new: the median Thornton home was built in 1997, and only about 22% predate 1980. Those older houses, mostly in the southern part of the city, are where compression faucets and original stop valves still appear. In the newer subdivisions toward E-470 and Highway 7, the common call is a 20-something-year-old single-lever faucet whose cartridge has finally worn out.

The city also says no lead service lines have been identified in its system and that its specifications never allowed them.

Before the plumber arrives

• Clear out the sink cabinet so the valves and supply lines are easy to reach
• Check whether both stop valves turn; do not force them
• Note whether the drip is from the spout, the handle or underneath
• Have the faucet box, receipt or model number if you still have them
• If you have picked out a new faucet, keep it unopened until the plumber confirms it fits