By the Peoria AZ Plumbing Co team · Published 2026-07-13 · Updated 2026-09-17
A dripping faucet is one of the more DIY-friendly plumbing repairs, and a comfortable homeowner can often replace a worn cartridge or descale an aerator with basic tools in under an hour. Call a plumber instead in a few specific situations. The drip returns quickly after a fix, you cannot identify the fixture's cartridge type, the leak is at the base rather than the spout, or the shutoff valves under the sink are old enough that you are not confident they will reseal properly once turned.
Dealing with this right now? This guide covers the background. For the actual repair, our Faucet Repair & Installation page has what to expect from a visit, or call (623) 323-3182 to talk it through directly.
What you can reasonably do yourself
Shut off the water supply at the valves under the sink, then remove the handle and cartridge following the fixture manufacturer's process, which varies by brand but is usually documented online with the model number. Replace the cartridge with an exact match, reassemble, and turn the water back on slowly while checking for leaks at the connections.
Descaling an aerator is even simpler: unscrew it from the spout tip, soak it in a vinegar solution to dissolve mineral buildup, rinse, and reinstall. This alone fixes a surprising number of "weak flow" complaints that are not actually about the cartridge at all.
Why hard water makes this a recurring Peoria task
Mineral scale from very hard Central Arizona Project and groundwater supply collects on cartridges, seats, and aerators faster here than in most cities, which is why fixtures in this area tend to need this kind of attention on a shorter cycle than a manufacturer's general guidance might suggest.
If you find yourself doing this same repair every few months on the same fixture, that is worth mentioning to a plumber, since it may point to a fixture that is simply worn out rather than one that keeps randomly failing.
Signs it is time to call rather than DIY
A leak at the base of the faucet rather than the spout usually means a failed deck seal, which is a different repair than a cartridge swap and sometimes means resetting the whole fixture. If turning the shutoff valves feels risky, an older valve that has not been touched in years, that instinct is worth trusting.
A fixture with a discontinued cartridge, or one that has already been repaired once and failed again quickly, is often more sensibly replaced than repaired a second time.
What a professional visit adds beyond the fix
A plumber replacing a faucet will also check the supply lines and shutoff valves while under the sink, catching a brittle stop before it becomes its own emergency the next time someone actually needs to use it. That single check is easy to skip in a DIY repair focused only on the drip itself.
If you are updating multiple fixtures at once, bundling the work into one visit is also more efficient than calling separately for each one as it fails.
The bottom line
A dripping faucet is one of the lowest-risk plumbing repairs to attempt yourself, provided you shut off the water first and use the correct replacement part for your specific fixture.
When in doubt about a shutoff valve's condition or the fixture's cartridge type, the cost of calling a plumber is small relative to the cost of a mistake made rushing a repair under an unfamiliar sink.
Matching the fixture brand correctly
Faucet cartridges are not universal across brands, and even within one brand, older and newer product lines sometimes use different cartridge designs, so identifying your fixture's exact model before buying a replacement part saves a return trip to the store.
If the faucet has no visible model information, a photo taken to a hardware store's plumbing counter, or to a plumber, often gets it identified faster than searching online with an uncertain description.
| Situation | DIY or call |
|---|---|
| Steady drip from spout, known cartridge | DIY-friendly |
| Weak flow, one tap only | DIY-friendly (descale aerator) |
| Leak at the base of the faucet | Call a plumber |
| Old, stiff shutoff valves under the sink | Call a plumber |
Frequently asked questions
What tools do I need to replace a faucet cartridge?
Usually an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver matching the handle screw, and sometimes a cartridge puller specific to the fixture brand. Check your faucet's model number before starting so you buy the correct replacement part.
Why does my faucet drip again a few months after I fixed it?
Peoria's very hard water scales cartridges and seats faster than average, so a repeat drip on the same schedule is often just the mineral cycle rather than a failed repair.
Is it safe to turn an old shutoff valve I have never touched?
Old valves can seize or fail to reseal properly after being turned for the first time in years. If it feels stiff or you are unsure, having a plumber handle it avoids turning a small job into a bigger one.
Should I replace or repair an old faucet?
If parts are available and the fixture is otherwise in good shape, repair is usually cheaper. If it is corroded, discontinued, or has failed more than once, replacement is often the more sensible long-term choice.
What if I can't find a replacement cartridge for my faucet?
Older or discontinued fixtures sometimes have cartridges that are difficult to source. In that case, replacing the whole faucet is often more practical than continuing to search for an obsolete part.
Is it worth buying a more expensive faucet to avoid this problem in the future?
Higher-quality faucets often use more durable cartridge materials and better-sealed internals, which can meaningfully reduce how often they need attention, particularly in a hard-water city like Peoria. That said, even a premium fixture will eventually need cartridge replacement here; the difference is typically in how long it takes to get there, not whether it happens at all.
Is it normal for a new faucet to drip slightly right after installation?
A very brief drip immediately after installation, before the system fully settles, can be normal, but a persistent drip beyond the first day usually means a connection needs tightening or a seal needs rechecking.
Does the water pressure in my house affect how quickly a faucet wears out?
Yes, sustained high pressure accelerates wear on cartridges and seals across every fixture in the house, which is one more reason a correctly set pressure regulator matters beyond just comfort at the tap.
Reviewed by the Peoria AZ Plumbing Co team. Our work follows the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as adopted regionally, plus the permit and inspection requirements of the City of Peoria and Maricopa County.