Fixture Repair and Installation

Clogged toilets and fixing or replacing faucets, garbage disposals and shutoff valves make up a large share of our calls. Some are a part, like a flapper, a cartridge or a seal; others are a new fixture, either one you have picked out or one we source. Either way, we check the supply lines and the shutoff valves behind the fixture, because a valve that will not close is the first thing that matters when something leaks.

When the job is done, we run the water at every fixture we worked on and check each connection for slow seepage before we pack up.

Fixtures: When to Repair, When to Replace

Common fixtures, repair or replace signs and what to decide before installing

Fixture	Repair or replace signs	Things to decide before installing
Kitchen faucet	Drips from the spout, leaks at the base, low flow, a sprayer that sticks	Hole count in the sink or counter, single or two handle, pull-down sprayer
Bathroom faucet	Drip that returns after new washers, a stuck drain stopper, corroded body	Center spacing (4 or 8 inch, or single hole) and the drain assembly
Toilet	Runs or refills on its own, rocks on the floor, cracked tank or bowl, weak flush	Rough-in distance from the wall, bowl height and shape, flush rating
Sink	Chipped or crazed finish, rusted drain, leaking rim seal	Undermount, drop-in or vessel; the faucet and drain that fit it
Garbage disposal	Hums but will not turn, leaks from the bottom, trips its reset often	Motor size, a dishwasher hookup, an outlet or a hardwired switch
Shower or tub valve	Temperature swings, a drip from the head, a stiff or loose handle	Pressure-balance or thermostatic; a trim that fits the valve in the wall
Shutoff valves and supply lines	Valves that will not turn or weep when moved; old braided or plastic lines	Quarter-turn valves and new braided lines whenever a fixture is replaced

Before the Plumber Arrives

A few minutes of preparation lets the work start as soon as we walk in:

• Clear the cabinet under the sink, or the area around the toilet or tub.
• Find the shutoff valves for the fixture and the main shutoff for the house.
• If you bought the fixture, have the box on site and the model number ready.
• Check that the box holds every part listed, before the old fixture comes out.
• Move rugs, towels and anything stored nearby that should not get wet.
• Keep pets in another room while the water is off and the doors are open.

Customer-Supplied vs Plumber-Sourced Fixtures

Showers, Tubs and Rough-Ins

New bathroom and kitchen rough-ins are part of our work too: the drain, vent and supply piping set in place before walls and floors are finished, so the fixtures land where the plan puts them. A new shower valve is pressure-tested with the wall still open, and a shower pan is normally flood-tested before tile goes on.

Small Commercial Spaces

In small shops and offices the fixtures work harder: manual and sensor flush valves on toilets and urinals, mop sinks, and restroom faucets that run all day. Flush valves usually need a rebuild kit rather than a new valve, and the supply stops behind them need to close fully so the work can be done without shutting down the whole building.

Fixture Questions