Faucet Repair in Chantilly, VA

Why is my Chantilly faucet dripping even though it is not that old?

Faucets do not need to be ancient to drip. A cartridge in a busy kitchen can wear out in ten to fifteen years, and Fairfax Water's Potomac supply, at roughly 70 to 185 mg/L of hardness, leaves mineral film on the seals that speeds the process. In neighborhoods like Franklin Farm and Greenbriar, many homes from the late 1980s still have their builder faucets or replacements from the early 2000s. If a drip starts, the usual fix is a new cartridge from the same maker, which is why knowing the brand helps.

Is it worth replacing the valves under the sink at the same time?

Often. The stops in a 1980s home are commonly the multi-turn type, and after years without being touched they may not close all the way or may start dripping at the stem once you turn them. Since the water has to be off for the faucet repair anyway, swapping them for quarter-turn valves is a small add-on. Supply hoses of the same age are worth replacing too. Fairfax County says like-for-like replacement of a fixture in the same location does not need a permit.

What should I know about Chantilly's water for a filter faucet?

Fairfax Water disinfects with chloramines most of the year and generally switches to free chlorine from April through June. A filter faucet or under-sink filter should be rated for chloramine, not just chlorine, or it will not do much for taste most of the year. Fairfax Water also says some of its customers receive water treated by the Washington Aqueduct, so its annual report is the best place to read about the water at your address.

One more Chantilly note

If the faucet will not shut off and the valves under the sink fail, close the main valve where the water line enters the house. Fairfax Water owns the meter, and its after-hours line for water emergencies is 703-698-5613, but the faucet and everything on your side of the meter are yours to repair. Many Chantilly homes also have lawn irrigation, and the County requires those backflow assemblies to be tested every year; a plumber can often handle both on one visit.