Spraying water: what to do first
When a faucet or supply line is flooding the room, shut off the water first and sort out the repair second. Our line is staffed 24/7, so call as soon as the water is under control. Until a technician can get to you, keep the area clear and mop standing water before it reaches other floors.
Every fixture should have its own small shutoff under or behind it. Turn the oval or round handle clockwise until it stops. If that valve is stuck, leaking itself or missing, go to the main water valve.
- Main valve is usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement or a utility closet.
- Turn off power to wet areas only if the breaker is dry and you can reach it safely. Never touch electrical items standing in water.
- Do not force a corroded valve with a wrench. It can snap and leave the leak worse.
- If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911.
Which fixture is leaking
A dripping tap loses water slowly, but a wet cabinet can rot a base and grow mold if left.
| Where | What you see | Common cause |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen or bath sink | Drip from the spout | Worn cartridge, washer or seat |
| Under the sink | Wet cabinet floor | Loose or cracked supply line |
| Tub spout | Water still runs in shower mode | Worn diverter |
| Shower wall | Drip at handle or behind trim | Worn valve cartridge |
Handle stuck or leaking? Call and describe which fixture and where the water is going.
(732) 466-1098Kitchen, bath and utility sinks
Most sink faucets use a cartridge, a rubber seat or a ceramic disc to control flow. When one wears, water seeps past it and the spout drips, or the handle becomes hard to turn. Replacement parts must match the make and model, so a photo of the faucet and any stamped name helps.
Low flow from one sink usually comes from mineral buildup in the aerator, which is a small screen at the spout tip. A utility sink in a basement or laundry area has the same parts, though often older and more exposed.
Swapping a faucet for a similar one with no change to the piping is ordinary maintenance, according to the state Department of Community Affairs code alert. No permit or inspection is needed, though the new fixture must still meet code. Moving or adding a fixture is a different job.
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs code alert on 2018 Uniform Construction Code changes, nj.gov/dca/codes/alerts/pdfs/OM_MW_03052018.pdf
Shower valves and tub spouts
A shower valve sits behind the wall, so a repair may mean opening tile or an access panel. Signs of trouble include a handle that will not hold temperature, water that keeps running after you turn it off, or a drip from the shower head between uses.
A tub spout that sends water to the head poorly has a worn diverter. It is often a simple swap, but one that leaks behind the wall is a bigger matter and may need leak detection to trace.
Outdoor spigots and frost-proof sillcocks
A frost-proof sillcock has a long stem that puts the shutoff seat inside the heated house wall. If a hose stays attached through winter, water cannot drain out of the stem, and freezing can crack it. The damage often shows as a spray inside the wall once the spigot is turned on in spring.
Detach hoses in autumn. If the inside of the wall is wet after you turn a spigot on, close it at once and call. Ask us if your home has an interior shutoff for that line.
Appliance valves and supply lines
Washing machine valves
Hot and cold boxes stick or weep over time. Braided hoses fail at the fitting.
Refrigerator line
A small copper or plastic line to the ice maker can drip behind the unit unseen.
Toilet supply
Stops that will not close or leak at the nut. See toilet repair for the fixture itself.
Dishwasher and disposal
A loose fitting under the sink often shows up as a wet cabinet. See garbage disposal repair.
Water pressure, the utility and the main valve
If a fixture fails and you suspect the street supply, check with your water provider. In Highland Park, the borough's water comes from Middlesex Water through Utility Service Affiliates, so questions about supply or service line material go to that operator. Ask your own utility who handles yours in New Brunswick, and the same applies in Edison.
Source: Middlesex Water, Utility Service Affiliates (Highland Park) page.
After-hours repair and planning
Night calls are taken any time, and same-day appointments are offered when available for repairs that can wait a few hours. A faucet that simply drips can usually be isolated at its shutoff and booked for daytime.
If every shutoff in your home is seized, the main valve becomes the only control, and that is the case to tell us about right away.
What shapes the price of a faucet repair
Homeowners policies often cover sudden water damage from a failed fitting but not wear or a slow drip. Ask your insurer what applies.
Call us for a real number by phone, and a clear price before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Dispatch is open 24/7, including nights and holidays. Shut the nearest shutoff or the main valve, then call (732) 466-1098 and tell us which fixture failed. Same-day appointments are offered when available.
It depends on the model, the parts and the condition of the fixture. A cartridge can restore a good faucet. A corroded or discontinued one may be better replaced.
Use the main water valve and call. Do not force a seized valve with tools. The stop itself may need replacement.
A steady drip wastes water and can stain the basin. Fix it soon, though it is not an emergency unless it sprays or won't stop.
Yes, in most cases it means replacing the sillcock. Close the line first and tell us where the interior shutoff is.
We work on shower valves and cartridges. Access may involve the back of the wall.
Yes, an adult should be there to give access and approve the price before work starts.