Where is the water coming from?
From the spout tip
Water drips after the handle is off. The internal seal, cartridge or seat is worn.
Around the handle
Water runs down the neck when the faucet is on. The O-rings on the stem or cartridge are done.
At the swivel or spout base
A ring of water around the spout means the spout O-rings, usually two, have flattened.
Under the sink
Dampness on the cabinet floor can be the supply lines, the stop valves, the pull-down hose connection or the sink drain. Dry everything and watch where it returns.
From the sprayer
A dripping spray head or a hose that weeps at its coupling is a different repair from a cartridge job.
Single-handle versus two-handle: the repair differs
Single-handle faucet
- One cartridge controls hot, cold and flow
- Replace the cartridge or the spout O-rings
- Remove the handle, retaining clip and cartridge, noting its orientation
- Cartridge types vary by maker, so take the old one to match it
Two-handle faucet
- Each side has its own stem, washer or cartridge
- Only the leaking side usually needs work
- Replace the washer and seat, or the whole stem
- Check the other side for wear, since it is the same age
| Symptom | Single-handle fix | Two-handle fix |
|---|---|---|
| Spout drips when off | New cartridge | New washer, seat or stem |
| Handle area wet | Cartridge O-ring or cap seal | Stem O-ring or packing |
| Base wet when running | Spout O-rings | Spout O-rings or base gasket |
| Water pressure drops, then leaks | Clean the aerator and check the cartridge | Clean the aerator and check both stems |
Replacing a cartridge in a single-handle faucet
Shut off supply
Close both stop valves under the sink. Open the faucet in the middle position to confirm it stops flowing.
Take off the handle and cap
Look for a set screw under a decorative cap or on the back of the lever. Remove the handle and any dome or sleeve under it.
Release the cartridge
Remove the retaining clip or nut. Grip the cartridge stem and pull it straight up, twisting gently if it sticks.
Match and fit
Compare the old and new cartridges side by side. Align the tabs, push the new one fully in, and replace the clip.
Test
Reassemble, open the stop valves a little at a time, and run both hot and cold. Check under the sink with a dry paper towel.
Water spreading in the cabinet?
Close the stop valves and call (603) 815-9179. Same-day appointments are available when schedules allow.
Pull-down hose, sprayer and aerator problems
Check these before blaming the cartridge
- Aerator: unscrew it and rinse out grit. A clogged aerator makes weak flow and can send water sideways.
- Pull-down hose: look for a kink, a worn weight or a loose quick-connect under the sink.
- Spray head: if it drips after shutoff, the check valve or the diverter inside has worn.
- Hose fittings: hand-tighten a quarter turn past snug. Do not use thread tape on compression fittings.
- Supply lines: replace braided lines that show rust, bulges or kinks.
If you find a cracked body or a corroded base, the faucet should be replaced, not rebuilt. Our plumbing installation team can fit a new faucet and test the supply lines and stop valves at the same time.
DIY, call, or stop right now
Fine to try yourself
- Aerator cleaning
- Cartridge or O-ring swap with the stop valves working
- Replacing a supply line with a matched fitting
- Tightening a hose or a mounting nut
Call a licensed plumber
- Stop valves that will not close
- Leaks below the sink that you cannot trace
- A faucet that needs replacing in a granite or quartz top
- Any sign of mold or soft cabinet floor
Water and electricity
If the leak is near a garbage disposal switch, an outlet or a dishwasher, turn off those circuits at the breaker before you reach under the sink. Stay out of standing water near live outlets.
We handle both small fixes and replacements through faucet repair visits, and we give a clear price before work starts.
Part numbers and tightening details come from the faucet maker's instructions, according to the model on the body or the box. Supply piping behind the wall falls under the state plumbing code (248 CMR) and goes to a licensed plumber.
What affects the price
Part cost
Aerators and O-rings are minor. A branded cartridge or a pull-down hose assembly costs more.
Faucet design
Pull-down and touchless faucets take longer to service than basic ones.
Sink and cabinet access
A deep, crowded cabinet slows removal and testing.
Repair versus replacement
When parts are obsolete, the cost shifts to a new faucet plus installation.
For a clear price on your faucet, call (603) 815-9179.
Reading Methuen's annual water report, and who to call about odd usage
The Methuen Water Department publishes a water quality report every year. The 2023 report lists pH, alkalinity, sodium and dissolved solids for the water leaving the plant, and the department treats with a blended phosphate corrosion inhibitor. The latest posted report is the 2025 edition, with earlier years in the archive on the city site.
To use it for your faucet, look for pH and alkalinity, then compare what you see on your fixtures. White crust at the aerator or a stiff handle suggests scale. The report does not hand you a verdict on your tap, so test it yourself or ask the department what your area reads.
A leaking faucet adds to your water use all day. If your bill jumps with no change in habits, call the Methuen Water Department billing line at 978-983-8555. If water is coming from the street side or the meter, use the 24-hour water emergency line at 978-983-8855.
Source type: Methuen water quality reports and archive, city Water Department contacts.
Questions we hear
The cartridge, washer or seat is no longer sealing. Replacing that part usually stops the drip.
On most faucets, the spout O-rings or a base gasket are worn. Remove the spout, replace the O-rings, and lubricate them before reassembly.
It can soak a cabinet quickly. Look for a loose quick-connect or a damaged hose, and close the stop valves if water pools.
Repair when parts are available and the body is sound. Replace when the finish is pitted, the body is cracked or the cost nears a new faucet.
The Methuen Water Department posts it on the city website, with archived years. Use it to read pH, alkalinity and sodium, and call billing at 978-983-8555 if your usage looks odd.
Yes, in North Andover, Haverhill and other nearby towns.
Not sure which case fits yours? Call (603) 815-9179 and describe what you see.