Published: February 24, 2026 | Reading time: 7 minutes
A faucet dripping once a second wastes roughly 3,000 gallons a year. On a Gwinnett County water and sewer bill, that adds up for what is usually a worn cartridge or washer. This guide covers what a drip wastes, what makes a faucet repair cheaper or more expensive, and how to decide between fixing it and replacing it.
What a Drip Costs You
One drip a second is about 3,000 gallons over a year. A faster drip, or several dripping fixtures, multiplies that quickly. Hot water drips cost more because you pay to heat water that goes straight down the drain.
Against that, most faucet repairs involve a cartridge, a set of washers, or an O ring. Fixing a drip promptly is almost always the better deal.
Why Faucets Drip
Nearly every drip is a worn part inside the valve. Which part depends on the faucet type.
Worn cartridge
Most single handle faucets use a cartridge. Its seals wear and let water past even when the handle is closed. Replacing it is simple if the right part exists for the model.
Failed washers and O rings
Older faucets with separate hot and cold handles use rubber washers that harden with age. It is the classic dripping tap and generally the simplest repair.
Corroded valve seat
The seat is where the washer meets the valve body. Deposits and corrosion can stop a clean seal even with a new washer. Sometimes it can be resurfaced, and sometimes the fixture needs replacing.
Damaged ceramic disc
Ceramic disc faucets are durable but not immune. Grit in the supply, sometimes after street or plumbing work, can chip a disc and cause a persistent drip.
Weak or Spitting Flow Is Often Not a Pressure Problem
If one faucet spits, sprays sideways, or runs weak while the rest of the house is fine, the aerator at the tip of the spout is the usual culprit.
- Spitting or uneven flow. Unscrew the aerator, soak it in vinegar, and put it back.
- Low flow at one fixture only. The same fix.
- Stiff or grinding handle. Often buildup inside the cartridge.
- White crust around the spout or base. Mineral deposit you can wipe or soak off.
If pressure is low at every fixture in the house, that is a different issue. See water line repair, and check the main valve is fully open.
What Makes Faucet Repair Cost More or Less
Faucet work is among the least expensive plumbing calls, and most of it is done in one visit. What changes the price:
- Faucet type and brand. A common cartridge may be on the truck. A specialty or imported model may need ordering.
- Whether parts exist. Builder grade fixtures often have no cartridge a decade later.
- Condition of the valve body and seat. A corroded body can turn a cartridge swap into a replacement.
- Access. A kitchen sink with a clear cabinet is simple. A wall mounted fixture or tub valve in a finished wall is not.
- Working shutoff valves. If the stops under the sink will not close, the main may need shutting, and old stops often need replacing too.
- Repair or replace. A new faucet means the fixture price plus installation, and the fixture price varies widely.
Ask the plumber for the price before any work starts. Ask whether it includes parts, and what the price would be to replace the fixture instead, so you can compare.
Repair or Replace the Fixture?
Repair is usually the better value when the faucet body is sound and parts are available. Replacement wins in three cases:
- Parts are discontinued. Builder grade fixtures often have no cartridge a decade later.
- The body is corroded. A new cartridge will not seal reliably against a corroded body.
- The repair approaches the price of a new faucet. On an inexpensive fixture, parts plus labor can exceed the cost of replacing it.
A good plumber will say which case you are in. If a small part would fix a faucet you like, that is worth asking about before agreeing to a replacement.
Check These Before You Call
- Close the stop valves under the sink and see if the faucet still drips. If it does, the problem is in the faucet, not the supply.
- Note the brand. It is often printed on the handle or the base.
- Look at the shutoff valves under the sink. If they are stiff or corroded, say so on the call.
- Try the aerator. It is quick and sometimes solves "low pressure."
Leaks Under the Sink Are Different
Water pooling in the cabinet is usually not the faucet. It comes from the supply connections, the shutoff valves, the P trap, or the drain assembly. It does real damage because it soaks into the cabinet base where you cannot see it. Look for dampness, swelling, or a musty smell. Dampness with no clear source is a leak detection question. If the water bill jumped, see why your water bill is suddenly high.
Faucet Help Around Gwinnett County
A phone call to (770) 285-5619 connects you with an independent local plumber who handles faucet repair for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and outdoor spigots. We cover Snellville, Suwanee, Duluth, Dacula, Grayson, Lilburn, and Buford. For a leaking toilet, see that guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
A faucet dripping once per second wastes roughly 3,000 gallons a year. Faster drips or several dripping fixtures multiply that, and hot water drips cost more because you pay to heat the water.
What affects the cost of faucet repair in Lawrenceville?
Mainly the faucet type and whether parts exist, the condition of the valve body, how easy the faucet is to reach, and whether the shutoff valves work. Ask the plumber for the price before work starts, and ask what replacing the fixture would add.
Why does my faucet have weak or spitting flow?
Usually a clogged aerator, the small screen at the tip of the spout. Unscrew it, soak it in vinegar, and refit it. If pressure is low at every fixture rather than one, the cause is elsewhere.
Should I repair or replace a dripping faucet?
Repair is usually better value when the body is sound and parts are available. Replace when the cartridge is discontinued, the body is corroded, or the repair approaches the price of a new fixture.
Can I fix a dripping faucet myself?
Often. Cartridge and washer replacement are reasonable DIY jobs if you can identify the model and find the part. Corroded seats, stuck fittings, and anything involving the supply connections under the sink are better left to a plumber.
Water is pooling in the cabinet under my sink. Is that the faucet?
Usually not. It typically comes from the supply connections, shutoff valves, P trap, or drain. It soaks into the cabinet base unseen, so deal with it promptly.