A dripping faucet is a nuisance. A supply valve that will not close, or a shower valve spraying behind a wall, is an emergency. We handle both, 24/7, across Romeoville. Start by finding the shutoff nearest the fixture, and if it fails, use the main.
If water is spraying from a supply valve right now
The small oval or round valves under sinks and behind toilets are called angle stops. They sit unused for years, and when you turn one the stem may leak, seize or snap. If the handle spins freely or water sprays from the stem, do not keep forcing it.
- Close the main water shutoff, usually near the water meter in the basement or utility room.
- Open a faucet at the lowest level of the house to drain the line and relieve pressure.
- Place a bucket under the leak and lay towels on the cabinet floor.
- Call dispatch and say which valve failed so we bring a matching stop and a new supply line.
Replacing an angle stop means cutting the old one off the pipe and fitting a new valve. Where the pipe is brittle copper or old galvanized steel, the job may reveal more than the valve, so we check the stub-out before anything is soldered or compressed.
Faucet types and what usually breaks
| Faucet style | Typical complaint | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Compression, two handles | Drip from the spout when closed | New washers and seats |
| Single-handle cartridge | Leak at the base or stiff handle | Replace the cartridge and O-rings |
| Ceramic disc | Slow drip, handle slips | Replace the disc cylinder |
| Pull-down kitchen faucet | Hose leaks or will not retract | New hose, weight or quick-connect |
Repair is smart when the faucet is a name brand with parts available and the finish is still good. Replacement wins when the body is pitted, the finish is flaking or a repair would cost close to a new unit. Brand-specific cartridges can be ordered ahead if you tell us the model.
Shower valves, tub faucets and showerheads
A tub faucet that drips, or a shower that keeps running after you shut it off, usually points to a worn cartridge or stem inside the valve. A tub spout that leaks from the diverter fails the same way: water leaks out of the spout while the shower is on.
Behind-the-wall valves are a different job from sink faucets. Some can be repaired from the front through the trim plate, while others need an access panel or a small opening in the wall. A showerhead that leaks at the arm is often just worn thread tape, an inexpensive fix.
Signs a shower or tub valve needs attention
- Water keeps trickling from the showerhead after the handle is off
- The handle is hard to turn or will not stay in position
- Water stains on the ceiling below the bathroom
- Temperature swings when someone flushes a toilet
- Dampness on the wall behind the shower
Sink leaks, laundry sinks and outdoor spigots
A cabinet that stays damp under the kitchen sink may have a loose supply line, a failed basket strainer or a leaking trap. We tighten, reseal or replace each in the same visit. A utility sink in a basement or garage often has its own supply stops, and most houses also have an outdoor spigot that needs shutoff before winter.
If a spigot's stem leaks inside the wall during freezing weather, shut the interior valve that feeds it and call us. Water trapped in a cold line can split a pipe overnight, and that moves the problem toward burst pipe repair.
Not sure whether to repair or replace the faucet?
Call and describe the fixture and what it is doing. We can usually book a same-day visit and will quote a clear price before we touch it.
Call (630) 822-9290What changes the price
- Fixture type and brand
- Standard cartridges and washers are inexpensive. Specialty cartridges for premium brands cost more and may need to be ordered.
- Valve access
- A valve reached through the trim plate is quicker than one that needs a wall opening or access panel.
- Condition of the shutoff
- If the shutoff under the sink or behind the wall will not hold, replacing it is part of the job.
- Number of fixtures
- Doing several faucets or valves in one visit is more efficient than separate trips.
- Time of day
- After-hours calls can carry a different rate than weekday visits, and we confirm it up front.
Leaks that persist after a faucet is fixed may be inside the wall, and leak detection can trace them. If you are adding new fixtures in a remodel, our plumbing installation page covers that work, and we serve Plainfield homeowners to the west as well.
Faucet and valve questions from Romeoville homeowners
Yes. Dispatch is available around the clock, every day of the year. Tell us which fixture is leaking and whether the shutoff holds, and we will schedule the next available plumber.
Mineral buildup and age can seize the stem. Forcing it can snap the handle or start a leak, so stop and call. Replacing the valve is the safer route.
Repair if parts are available and the finish is sound. Replace if the faucet is corroded, the finish is peeling or repairs would approach the price of a new fixture.
Usually yes. A worn cartridge or stem inside the shower valve is the common cause, and many can be replaced through the trim opening without cutting the wall.
The diverter in the spout is not sealing, so water bypasses it. Replacing the diverter or the spout usually fixes it.
Yes. We replace worn laundry valves and can install a lever-style valve that is easier to shut off. A new set of braided hoses is a good idea at the same time.
We can check frost-proof spigots, replace failing ones and show you which interior valve shuts off each line before cold weather.