Emergency Faucet Repair in Melrose, MA
A faucet that will not stop flowing is an emergency in any kitchen or bathroom, so we pick up 24/7. Faucet repair covers the handle, cartridge, spout and supply valves that control water at a sink, tub or outdoor spigot.
Look for the small oval or round valve under the sink and turn it clockwise. If it will not move, close the main water shutoff and open the lowest faucet in the house to relieve pressure. Set a bucket and towel under any drip.
- Stuck valves
- Kitchen, bath and outdoor
- 24/7 line
A valve that will not shut off
Most faucet calls are a drip. The urgent ones are a handle that spins without stopping flow, a spout that cracked, or an angle valve that snaps off in your hand. When the little valve under the sink fails, the only way to stop the water may be the main.
- Gushing at the spout. The handle has stripped or the cartridge has broken. Close the valves below the sink or the main.
- Spray from under the basin. A supply line or its valve has failed. Shut the main and cut power to nearby outlets if water is pooling.
- Valve will not turn. Old stops seize with mineral buildup. Forcing one can snap the stem, so stop and call.
- Water behind a wall. Wet drywall near a tub or sink faucet means the leak is inside the wall. Shut the main and photograph the damage.
- Outdoor spigot dripping inside. A hose bib that leaks into the wall is common after a cold snap. Close its interior valve if you can reach it.
For a pipe that has burst rather than a fixture, go to our burst pipe repair page.
Faucet types and what usually fixes them
| Faucet type | Common failure | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Compression, two handles | Worn rubber washer or seat | Replace washers and dress the seat |
| Cartridge, single handle | Leak at spout or handle that sticks | Swap the cartridge |
| Ball type, single handle | Drip at base or spout | Replace seals, springs and cams |
| Ceramic disc | Leak under the handle | Replace the disc cylinder |
| Pull-down kitchen | Weak spray or leaking hose | Replace the hose or the faucet |
| Outdoor hose bib | Drip at stem or inside the wall | Repack or replace the bib |
Parts for older fixtures may be discontinued, which can make replacement cheaper than repair.
Can't stop the flow?
Call the 24/7 line. We talk you through the main shutoff while we dispatch.
Aerators, flushing and Melrose water
The city's water letter tells residents to remove faucet aerators every few months and run the water 3 to 5 minutes. The city gives this as part of its lead guidance, and it also clears grit that can slow the flow. If your flow has dropped to a trickle, a clogged aerator is the first cheap check.
Melrose also flushes its mains, and in 2025 the program ran from September 8 into late October. The city warns that sediment can clog home pipes and reduce pressure. If a faucet sputters or runs rusty after flushing, run cold water until it clears, then clean the aerator before calling us.
Source type: Melrose DPW water quality guidance and 2025 flushing notice
Before we arrive
Clear under the sink
Empty the cabinet so the plumber can reach the valves and supply lines.
Find the main
Know where the main shutoff is, and test that it turns before you need it.
Note the brand
A photo of the faucet and any model stamp helps us bring the right cartridge.
Mark every drip
Tell us about other fixtures. We can often fix several in one visit.
What changes the price of a faucet job
Questions we hear
Yes. The line runs 24/7, and a faucet or valve that will not shut off is treated as urgent. We cannot promise an arrival time, but we help you stop the water and send a plumber as soon as one is available.
Do not force it. Close the main water shutoff instead, then call us. A seized stop is replaced rather than repaired, and forcing it can snap the stem and start a leak.
Often yes. Cartridges, washers, seals and discs are replaceable on most brands. If parts are discontinued or the body is corroded, we say so and quote a replacement.
Yes. We replace hose bibs and can install new ones. Before cold weather, disconnect hoses and close the interior valve to the spigot so water does not freeze in the stem.
Yes. Tub handles strip, cartridges wear and spouts loosen. Tell us the style when you call, and if a leak shows up behind the wall, say so.
If water appears only when the faucet runs, it is the fixture or its supply. If it appears with every fixture off, check the meter and see our leak detection page.
Dry cabinet, quiet faucet
Fixture repairs are quick when the right part is on the truck. For a full bathroom or kitchen update, look at plumbing installation, or if you live nearby, our Stoneham coverage page.
Call (339) 216-9771