Track down the wet cabinet
Dry everything with a towel, put a dry paper towel on the cabinet floor, then check each point in order.
Supply lines
Run a dry tissue along the hot and cold supply lines and their nuts at both ends.
Angle stops
Check the valve stems and the joint where each stop meets the pipe from the wall.
Faucet base
Run the faucet and watch for water seeping around the base or under the sink deck.
Drain
Fill the basin, then let it drain and watch the slip nuts on the trap and tailpiece.
Dishwasher and filter
In kitchens, check the dishwasher supply and any under-sink filter or instant hot unit.
What is leaking and what fixes it
| Source | Common cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Spout drips when off | Worn cartridge, seat or washer | Replace the cartridge or valve parts |
| Water around the handle | Worn O-rings or packing | Replace seals or cartridge |
| Angle stop stem drips | Old packing, often after the valve was turned | Tighten packing nut or replace the stop |
| Supply line drips | Aged braided or rigid line, loose nut | Replace the supply line |
| Drain trap drips | Loose or worn slip-joint washer | Tighten or replace washer or trap |
| Water under the faucet deck | Failed base gasket or seal | Reseal or replace the faucet |
Why angle stops and supply lines go together
Many homes in La Palma still have their original multi-turn angle stops. After decades without being turned, they often seize, will not close fully or start dripping from the stem the first time someone uses them. Scale from the area's hard water makes this worse.
Because stops and supply lines age together, plumbers commonly suggest replacing both at a sink, or throughout the house, at the same visit. Quarter-turn stops are easy to close in an emergency, and fresh supply lines remove a common source of sudden failures.
Repair the faucet or replace it
- IfThe faucet is a common brand and parts are availableThenReplacing the cartridge is usually the simplest fix.
- IfThe faucet body is corroded or crackedThenReplacement makes more sense than repair.
- IfSeveral parts have failed over a short timeThenConsider a new faucet rather than repeated repairs.
- IfYou want a different style or a pull-down sprayerThenReplacement lets you change it while addressing the leak.
Questions to ask
- Should all the stops and supply lines in the house be replaced while you are here?
- Can this faucet be repaired, or are parts hard to find?
- Is there any damage to the cabinet floor or the wall behind the sink?
Common questions
Why did my angle stop start leaking after I turned it?
Old valve packing dries out and shifts when the stem moves after years in one position. Tightening the packing nut sometimes stops it; otherwise the stop needs replacing.
How often should supply lines be replaced?
There is no single rule, but many plumbers suggest replacing older braided lines during any sink or toilet work, especially if they are bulging, rusted at the nuts or of unknown age.
Is a drip from the spout urgent?
It is not an emergency, but it wastes water and scale can build up around the seat. Fix it when convenient.
General information for La Palma, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.