Question about plumbing

Expect to pay for a service call at the plumbers going rate ... the likely problem is a worn/failed washer and seat or o-ring in the faucet - you don't say how old it is . Parts could run from basically zip to $30 - $40 bucks if it's a cartridge type faucet . -- Snag

I had a recent problem with a leaky drain pipe under the bathroom sink. While the plumber was here, I had him also fix some other items. The total cost was about $600, so I would estimate yours to cost about $150.

That seems to me to be rather high, so your plumber may cost less. But when you are desperate, it is worth it!

Fred

Sorry ... the faucet is a little over 2 years old, so is that normal to have that sort of failure in this time period?

Thanks for the info! We had to call like 4 plumber businesses before we found one that would come out today. They said a service call is like $104, so $150 doesn't sound too bad.

It looks like you have two problems:

Are you all-copper or plastic? The parts will probably be under $50, but a lot of the labour costs depend on how cramped the workspace is, and if the plumber needs to fire up a torch without setting anything on fire. You might consider replacing the other valves with new ones while everything is opened up to save on what it costs to re-do the wall after, if the wall needs to be opened up. (i.e. reduce the probable cost in the future when the cold water valve eventually fails.)

I could turn off the hot water valve under the tub, but when I turned it completely off it had a tiny leak, so I had to un-turn it about a third of a turn and it stopped leaking.

Everything under the tub is new connections, and there's a nice access through the wall to get to the connections, too. It's covered with something that looks like an AC vent, so that just pops out to access the plumbing under the tub that's right there as far as reaching it goes.

Gee, what do you think? Sharp as ever I see.

I wouldn't expect a failure in that short of time ... qualifier - a lot depends on who is using it and how much use it gets . Probably a cartridge or o-ring type , I don't think washer type faucets are very common any more .

When I lived in my first house with single faucets with washers, I was changing them quite often and it is not unusual to have a shut off valve that does not shut off properly as these are infrequently used and can freeze up. These type repairs are good for DIY'ers to learn.

Muggles explained on 1/19/2017 :

Pls post what that plumber charged Maggs. I am calling a plumber today to fix a plugged kitchen sink.

Around here in northern DE it costs about $100 to get any tradesman to come to the house then work charges begin around $100 hr plus parts.

If you are not familiar with it, check out the "Zip-It" drain cleaning tool at .

They are simple, effective and inexpensive. I've seen them at Lowes and Home Depot.

Fred

Don't know what kind of taps you have, but you should get away with just changing the cartridges. On mine they are about $39 each - about half an hour should change them both.

It is if you bought cheap. What brand? Any GOOD faucet will have a warranty that will pay for the parts.

Who installed it 2 years ago? If you can get the same guy he should know what model he installed and bring the right parts with him to save the second trip/charge.

Well ... the plumber came and he said it was some weird brand of tub faucet and he couldn't get it off!!

So, I finally found the date and name of the plumber business that put the faucet on and we're calling them tomorrow.

To be continued ...

Hi Maggie,

If it's an old faucet, it's probably a bad washer or perhaps a cracked seat. Both are easy to replace and shouldn't cost more than a few dollars for parts (labor will be extra if you don't do it yourself).

Newer faucets usually use cartridges. These cost more, anywhere from $15-

I have no idea what a plumber would charge to fix a faucet, as I have always performed these simple maintenance tasks myself.

By the way, I've had brand new cartridges fail after just a week or two. Some fail due to manufacturing defects, others fail because grit gets in the cartridge and prevents it from sealing completely.

It sounds like the valve under your tub may also need repair. Have your plumber check that out too.

Good luck,

Anthony Watson

How much did that service cost you ? Did he seem like a competent tradesman ? or someone who just considers himself a handyman .. Let us know how it turns out. John T.

Aside from the plumber's service call fee (likely to be $75-$125), expect to pay for his time, parts, and his profit markup on the parts. However, a potentially additional expense, which could equal or even exceed the plumber's cost is the cost of repairing/replacing the tiles that may need to be removed to get access to the valve body if the entire valve body needs to be replaced. Those tiles need to be properly re-installed to prevent moisture leaks that are guaranteed to result at least in local mold growth and possible water damage to anything below the level of the bath. Some homes have an access panel from the other side of a common wall. Most don't and will require knowledgeable tile work if you're unlucky.