Faucet Repair in Riverside, CA

Hard water and Riverside faucets

Riverside Public Utilities supplies groundwater from the Bunker Hill and Riverside Basins, and its water quality report lists hardness at an average of 197 mg/L, roughly 12 grains per gallon. That mineral content is what leaves white crust on fixtures, and inside a faucet it does more damage than it does on the outside. Scale roughens the rubber seals in cartridges, clogs aerator screens and makes handles stiff. A faucet that drips after a few years is often a scale problem rather than a defect.

Common faucet problems and fixes

• Steady drip from the spout: a worn cartridge in single-handle faucets, or a washer and seat in older two-handle styles.
• Water at the base of the spout: worn O-rings.
• Weak or uneven stream: an aerator full of mineral grit, or scale inside the cartridge.
• Handle is hard to turn: scale or a failing cartridge.
• Pull-down sprayer will not retract or leaks: a worn hose, weight or quick-connect fitting.
• Water in the cabinet: a loose or failing supply line, or a corroded shutoff valve.

Check the pressure too

Faucets wear out faster when household water pressure runs high. Under RPU Water Rule 11, where static pressure exceeds 80 psi, the customer is responsible for installing and maintaining a pressure regulator and relief valve. If several fixtures drip or bang when they shut off, ask the plumber to check the pressure and the regulator before replacing parts one faucet at a time.

Repair or replace

Most quality faucets can be rebuilt with a new cartridge or seals, which keeps the finish you already like. Replacement makes more sense when the body is cracked or corroded, parts are no longer made, or the faucet has needed repeat repairs. Riverside's median home was built around 1976, and original fixtures and shutoff valves from that era can be due for replacement together.

What affects the cost

The brand and cartridge type, whether parts are in stock, the condition of the shutoff valves and supply lines, and whether the faucet is repaired or replaced all shape the price. Ask for the diagnosis and the quote first.