Ottawa residential plumbing
Leaky Faucet in Ottawa
Faucet dripping, leaking from the handle, or leaving water around the base? We check the fixture, cartridge, seal, supply, and surrounding area before recommending repair or replacement.
Not sure where to start?
Start with what you are seeing.
You do not need the perfect plumbing term. Tell us where the issue is happening, what changed, and whether it is getting worse. We will help route the next step.
What you may be seeing
Fixture problems are visible. The cause still needs checking.
We start with the symptom, then look for the pattern that tells us whether the issue is local, recurring, shared, or connected to surrounding plumbing.
Drip from the spout
Often points to cartridge, washer, stem, seal, or internal fixture wear.
Leak around the handle
May involve cartridge, packing, O-ring, handle assembly, or internal wear.
Water around the faucet base
Could be fixture seal, faucet body, splashback, countertop issue, or supply/drain confusion.
Drip under the sink
May be supply line, shutoff, faucet connection, drain assembly, or hidden cabinet leak.
Low flow with dripping
Could involve aerator buildup, cartridge restriction, shutoff issue, or fixture age.
Drip keeps returning
If repairs do not hold, the faucet body or parts availability may make replacement more responsible.
Diagnosis first
A leaky faucet is not always just a faucet washer.
The leak location matters. A drip from the spout is different from water at the handle, base, supply connection, or cabinet floor.
What we check
- Is the issue hot, cold, or both?
- Is it a drip, leak, low flow, handle issue, or installation issue?
- Are the local shutoffs working?
- Is water appearing above or below a finished surface?
- Is repair responsible, or would replacement be more reliable?
Fixture clarity
Repair it, replace it, or check the surrounding plumbing?
A faucet, sink, shower, or tub problem can look like a simple fixture issue, but the right answer depends on where the symptom starts. The fixture, supply line, shutoff, drain, valve, seal, cartridge, or surrounding installation may all matter.
Repair the part
Best when the fixture is in good condition and the issue is a cartridge, seal, washer, handle, aerator, diverter, connection, or serviceable component.
Replace the fixture
Best when the fixture is worn, corroded, leaking from the body, unsupported by parts, loose beyond a reliable repair, or the homeowner wants an upgrade.
Check the supply
Clean pressurized water feeding the fixture may involve shutoffs, supply tubes, valves, cartridges, pressure, or nearby pipe concerns.
Check the drain
Water under a sink or around a fixture may come from the drain assembly, trap, tailpiece, pop-up, tub drain, or a deeper drainage issue.
Protect the finished area
Counters, cabinets, tile, tubs, showers, vanities, and flooring should be protected. Access and scope should be explained before work begins.
Clear options
The right path depends on what we find.
We do not force every home into the same answer. Once the issue is assessed, we explain the responsible options and what each one solves.
Repair the faucet
Best when the fixture is in good condition and the issue is a serviceable cartridge, washer, seal, aerator, handle, or connection.
Replace the faucet
Best when the fixture is corroded, leaking from the body, loose, unsupported by available parts, or no longer worth repairing.
Check for a hidden leak
Best when water under the sink may come from supply, drain, dishwasher, disposal, or nearby pipework.
Protect the cabinet
Best when water has already reached the vanity or kitchen cabinet area.
What to expect
What happens during a leaky faucet visit
The goal is not just to fix the plumbing issue. It is to help you understand what happened, what was approved, what was done, and what to watch for afterward.
- 1
You tell us what you are seeing.
Where it is happening, when it started, and whether it is getting worse.
- 2
We ask pattern questions.
One fixture or several? Clean water or dirty water? Constant or only during use?
- 3
We inspect the relevant area.
Fixture, drain, supply, valve, tank, base, flange, or sewer path depending on the page.
- 4
We explain what appears to be happening.
Plain-English explanation, not scare tactics or jargon.
- 5
We give options where appropriate.
Repair, replacement, cleaning, inspection, or prevention path depending on the issue.
- 6
You approve price and scope before work begins.
No silent add-ons. No surprise scope shift.
- 7
We complete the approved work.
With protection for the home and care around finished areas.
- 8
We test, clean, and walk you through it.
The job is not done until the result is checked and the space is respected.
Pricing clarity
Clear options before work begins.
The service visit fee helps cover travel, time, and professional assessment. Once we understand the issue, we explain the options and confirm price and scope before work begins. If investigation changes the scope, we pause, explain the change, and re-approve before continuing.
Helpful guides
Helpful resources for this problem
These resources can help you understand the issue and reduce risk before the next step.
Questions homeowners ask
Questions about Leaky Faucet in Ottawa
Why is my faucet dripping after I turn it off?
A faucet that drips after shutoff often has a worn cartridge, washer, stem, seal, or internal part. The exact repair depends on the faucet type and condition.
Can a leaky faucet usually be repaired?
Often, yes. If the fixture is in good condition and parts are available, repair may be sensible. If the faucet body is worn, corroded, or unsupported, replacement may be the better option.
Why is water leaking around the handle?
Handle leaks may involve the cartridge, O-ring, packing, stem, or handle assembly. We check where the water is escaping before recommending the repair.
Why is there water around the base of my faucet?
Water at the base may come from the faucet body, seal, splashback, countertop area, supply connection, or a different leak under the sink.
Is water under the sink always from the faucet?
No. It may be from the drain assembly, trap, supply line, shutoff, dishwasher connection, garbage disposal connection, or nearby pipe.
Should I shut off the faucet supply before calling?
If water is actively leaking and you can safely close the local shutoff, do that. If you are not sure which valve controls it, stop using the fixture and call.
When should I replace instead of repair?
Replacement may be smarter when the faucet is corroded, leaking from the body, loose, very old, or not worth repairing compared with the cost and reliability of a new fixture.
Do you confirm pricing before starting?
Yes. We assess the fixture, explain repair or replacement options, and confirm price and scope before beginning approved work.
Ready for the next step?
Fixture problem, installation question, or hidden plumbing concern?
Tell us what the faucet, sink, shower, or tub is doing. We will check whether repair, replacement, or surrounding plumbing work makes the most sense.