College Park mixes early 20th-century houses in Calvert Hills and Old Town with newer apartments, so the faucet you are dealing with could be an old two-handle compression set or a modern cartridge model. Either way, most drips and leaks come from one worn internal part. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in College Park.
Before you call
College Park's median home dates to about 1979, but the range is wide: some houses near the University of Maryland are close to a century old, while newer mixed-use buildings along US 1 have recent fixtures. Water comes from WSSC Water, treated with chlorine and a corrosion inhibitor that coats household pipes. A few quick steps can keep a small faucet problem from getting bigger.
What to do right now
- Stop the water if it will not shut off. Turn the small oval-handled valves under the sink clockwise. If they will not budge, close the main valve, usually where the water line enters the basement or utility area.
- Plug the drain. Before you remove a handle or aerator, cover the drain so small screws and springs do not fall in.
- Check the aerator. If the stream is weak or spraying, unscrew the tip and rinse out any grit. Debris often shows up after work on water mains or house plumbing.
- Dry the cabinet. Wipe down the pipes and cabinet floor, then run the faucet and look for where fresh water appears.
- Note the details. Count the handles, look for a brand name and take a photo of the valves and supply lines.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Drip from the spout after shutoff | Worn washer and seat (two-handle) or tired cartridge (single-lever) |
| Water around the handle | Packing nut, stem O-ring or cartridge seal |
| Puddle at the base of a kitchen faucet | Spout O-rings or a cracked faucet body |
| Weak flow at one sink | Clogged aerator or a partly closed or failing stop valve |
| Wet cabinet floor | Loose supply connection, worn hose or a drain leak |
What affects the cost
A washer or cartridge swap on a faucet with easy access is the quickest job. Time goes up when old parts are hard to match, when stops under the sink have to be replaced first, or when corroded mounting nuts resist removal in an older house. Replacing a faucet entirely adds the cost of the new fixture plus setting and testing it. In Prince George's County, plumbing permits and inspections run through WSSC Water rather than the county, and the plumber can tell you if your job needs one.
Faucet Repair questions in College Park
What should I do if a faucet won't turn off?
Why does one faucet run weak while the others are fine?
Could an old faucet or service line affect lead in my water?
Can a pull-down or touchless kitchen faucet be repaired?
More plumbing services in College Park
Faucet Repair nearby
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