The short answer
If your bathroom faucet drips, sprays sideways or has weak flow, the cause is usually small. A clogged aerator, a worn cartridge or a loose packing nut explains most cases. Repair makes sense when the faucet body is sound and parts are available.
Replace the faucet when it is corroded, discontinued or leaking from the body. In Dixon, scale from hard groundwater is the usual culprit behind weak flow and stiff handles, so check the aerator first.
Symptoms and likely causes
A faucet tells you what is wrong in the way it fails.
Water sprays sideways
Mineral scale has partly blocked the aerator.
Drip from the spout
A worn cartridge, washer or seat.
Handle is stiff
Scale inside the cartridge or a dry O-ring.
Water at the base of the faucet
A worn seal or loose connection.
Water under the sink
A supply line, nut or shutoff valve is leaking.
Hard water and the bathroom faucet
Source type: City of Dixon 2024 water quality report.The City of Dixon's 2024 report lists total hardness averaging 163 parts per million with a range of 130 to 190. Hard water deposits calcium on the aerator screen, where the water is forced through tiny holes. The screen clogs first, so weak or crooked flow is often the first sign.
Unscrewing the aerator and soaking it in white vinegar usually clears it. If the cartridge is also scaled, replacing it restores smooth action. Leaving scale in place wears the seals faster.
Fixture work follows the California Plumbing Code, which is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). CalGREEN, the California Green Building Standards Code, sets the 1.2 gallon per minute limit in section 4.303.
Repair or replace
The cost of a part rarely matters as much as the condition of the faucet.
Repair makes sense when
- The body is clean and not pitted.
- The brand and model are still sold.
- The problem is a drip or stiff handle.
- The faucet is fairly new.
Replace makes sense when
- The finish is peeling or corroded.
- Parts for the model are discontinued.
- The body or base is leaking.
- You want a new style or a better flow rate.
Faucet giving you trouble?
Call the 24/7 line. A same-day appointment is offered when available.
Replacement faucet rules in California
The City of Dixon's permit handouts cite CalGREEN section 4.303, which limits bathroom faucets to 1.2 gallons per minute. A new faucet should be labeled to that limit. Repairing a leak in a fixture or valve is listed as exempt from a permit as long as nothing is replaced or rearranged.
Check the shutoff valves under the sink before you buy. If they are old and will not close, replace them while the faucet is off. A stuck valve can turn a simple job into a flood.
Cleaning an aerator step by step
Unscrew the aerator from the tip of the spout by hand or with a cloth and pliers to protect the finish. Take it apart and note the order of the pieces. Soak them in white vinegar for an hour, then scrub the screen with an old toothbrush.
Rinse everything, put it back in the same order and screw it on snugly. If the flow is still weak, run the tap without the aerator for a few seconds to flush debris from the line, then reinstall.
Choosing a replacement faucet
Check the hole spacing on the sink before you shop. Single-hole, center-set and widespread faucets all fit different sinks. A faucet that does not match the holes cannot be installed without modifying the sink.
Look for the flow rate printed on the box and confirm it is at or below the 1.2 gallons per minute the City of Dixon's handouts cite for bathroom faucets. Metal bodies and ceramic cartridges tend to last longer than plastic parts.
Supply lines and shutoff valves
New faucets usually come without supply lines, so plan to buy two braided lines of the right length. Replace the old ones during the swap, because a line that has been in place for years can fail without warning.
If the shutoff valves under the sink drip or will not turn, replace them in the same visit. A valve that cannot close defeats the purpose of having one. Our plumbing installation page covers replacing valves and fixtures together.
Before you call a plumber
A few quick checks help the plumber, and sometimes solve the problem outright.
- Close the shutoff valves under the sink and see whether the drip stops.
- Note the brand and model if it is printed on the faucet or the box.
- Take a photo of the faucet and of any water under the sink.
- Check whether other faucets in the house have the same symptom.
- Write down when the problem started and whether it is getting worse.
Those details let the dispatcher plan the visit. A faucet that is available at the supply house can often be repaired or replaced in one trip.
A note on older homes
Older bathrooms often have faucets and valves that were set before current flow rules. Parts for them may be hard to find, which is why replacement can be the practical choice.
If you plan a remodel, ask the plumber about replacing the shutoff valves and supply lines in the same visit.
Steps for a basic cartridge or aerator fix
Close the shutoff valves under the sink and open the faucet to drain. Unscrew the aerator and clean it. If the drip continues, remove the handle, pull the cartridge and match it at a supply store. Put everything back, turn the water on slowly and check for leaks.
If anything is stuck, stop. Forcing a cartridge can crack the faucet body. A plumber can finish the job quickly. See our faucet repair page for what we offer, and our toilet repair page if the bathroom has other fixtures acting up. We serve Vacaville and Davis too.
Bathroom faucet questions
Scale usually blocks part of the aerator. Clean it in vinegar and the spray often straightens out.
Look at the handles. Two handles you screw down point to compression. A smooth single handle is usually a cartridge or ceramic disc.
If the body is sound and parts are sold, yes. If the finish is failing or parts are gone, replacement is the better value.
The City of Dixon's handouts cite 1.2 gallons per minute for bathroom faucets under CalGREEN.
A slow drip can wait for an appointment. Water under the sink or a supply line spraying needs the shutoff closed right away.