Faucet & Sink Repair in Louisville | Same-Day Service for Dripping Taps and Clogged Drains

Home Depot charges around $119 to $300 for faucet installation, not including the fixture itself. This is a basic install on standard sink configurations. Costs increase if you need supply line replacement, drain work, or modifications to existing plumbing. Their contractors typically do not handle complex repairs like valve seat resurfacing or corroded pipe replacement. Louisville homes with older plumbing may face hidden issues during installation that fall outside their service scope. Always confirm what the quote includes and whether additional plumbing work requires a licensed local plumber.

A quality faucet lasts 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Budget fixtures may fail in 8 to 10 years. Lifespan depends on water quality, usage frequency, and material construction. Louisville's hard water shortens faucet life by accelerating mineral buildup inside cartridges and valve seats. Brass and stainless steel models outlast chrome-plated plastic. Regular cleaning and cartridge replacement extend functionality. If your faucet is over 15 years old and requires frequent repairs, replacement becomes more cost-effective than ongoing fixes.

A worn-out washer or O-ring causes most dripping faucets. These rubber components create a watertight seal when you turn the handle off. Over time, friction and mineral deposits degrade the rubber, allowing water to seep through. Compression faucets with separate hot and cold handles wear out washers faster than single-handle cartridge models. Louisville's hard water accelerates deterioration by leaving calcium deposits on sealing surfaces. Replacing washers is straightforward and inexpensive. If the drip continues after washer replacement, the valve seat may be pitted or corroded.

A dripping faucet is not an emergency, but ignoring it wastes water and money. A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons yearly. In Louisville, where water and sewer rates climb steadily, this adds $50 to $100 to annual bills. More importantly, persistent leaks indicate worn parts that will fail completely without warning. A small drip today becomes a gushing leak tomorrow. Schedule repair within a week to prevent water damage and higher costs. Emergency service is unnecessary unless the faucet will not shut off.

Look for a small set screw on the handle's underside or back edge. Use a hex key or screwdriver to loosen it, then pull the handle straight up. Some handles have a decorative cap on top that pops off to reveal a screw beneath. Others use a threaded collar that unscrews counterclockwise. If you see no screws or caps, the handle may be a twist-off or pull-off design held by an internal clip. Apply steady upward pressure while wiggling gently. Avoid prying with screwdrivers, which scratches finishes.

You can replace a faucet cartridge yourself if you have basic tools and patience. Turn off water supply valves under the sink. Remove the handle and retaining nut, then pull out the old cartridge. Take it to a hardware store to match the exact replacement. Louisville's older homes may have proprietary cartridges requiring manufacturer parts. Install the new cartridge in the same orientation as the old one. If you cross-thread the retaining nut or install the cartridge backward, you will damage the faucet body. Call a plumber if you encounter stripped threads or corroded parts.