Sterling has older housing than most of Loudoun County, with about 43 percent of homes in ZIP 20164 built before 1980, so worn faucets and aging shutoff valves are common. Most drips can be fixed with new cartridges, washers or seals. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Sterling.

Signs your faucet needs work
- The spout keeps dripping after the handle is shut
- You have to turn a two-handle faucet very tight to stop it
- Water seeps out around the handle or spout base
- The cabinet under the sink is damp or the floor is warped
- The stream sprays sideways or has weakened
Sterling's water and housing
Sterling began with the Sterling Park development in the early 1960s, and many homes in ZIP 20164 date from the 1960s through the 1980s. Faucets in those homes may have been replaced over time, but the valves under the sink are often original, and some secondary bathrooms still have compression faucets with washers and seats. Those faucets can be rebuilt, though a pitted seat sometimes means a new faucet is the better choice.
Sterling is on Loudoun Water's Central System, which draws mainly from the Potomac River, with Goose Creek as needed. Loudoun Water disinfects with chloramine, so if you want a filter faucet at the kitchen sink, choose a cartridge rated for chloramine reduction. Loudoun Water's annual water quality report lists current hardness if you are thinking about a softener. Loudoun Water states its system has no lead service lines, though very old faucets themselves may contain leaded brass.
If water will not stop and the valves under the sink fail, use the main shutoff. Loudoun Water's after-hours emergency line, 571-291-7878, covers problems on the utility side. Projects that add or move plumbing are permitted through Loudoun County Building and Development.
What affects the cost
- Rebuild kit versus a new faucet
- Availability of parts for older or less common faucets
- Stuck valves or corroded nuts that need extra work
- Replacing supply lines and stops in the same visit
- Kitchen features like sprayers and filter taps
When you call
The number on this page is a free referral line that connects you with an independent plumber serving Sterling. Say which faucet is leaking and how, and whether the valves below it still work. Mention the brand if you know it. A couple of photos help the plumber bring the right cartridge or kit.
Faucet Repair questions in Sterling
Does the disinfectant in my tap water matter for a filter faucet?
Could an old faucet add lead to my drinking water?
Is it better to rebuild my faucet or replace it?
Is a slow drip worth fixing right away?
More plumbing services in Sterling
Faucet Repair nearby
Helpful guides
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