Faucet & Valve Repair in Lithonia, GA

Mineral scale is one of the quieter reasons a faucet needs repair. As water evaporates or sits in a valve, dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium are left behind as a chalky or crusty deposit. How much forms depends on the water and how the fixture is used, so two Lithonia houses can see very different amounts. Where deposits do build up, they can roughen seals, jam moving parts and clog the small openings that shape the flow.

Where scale shows up first

• Aerators and spray nozzles: a white ring on the spout tip, spray that fans sideways, or a stream that has grown thin.
• Cartridges: a single-handle lever that grinds, sticks at one temperature or will not return smoothly to off.
• Compression stems: handles that need more force each year to shut fully.
• Stop valves: under-sink and toilet stops that have sat open so long that deposits lock the stem in place.
• Shower heads and hand showers: blocked jets and a pattern that sprays in every direction except down.

What cleaning can fix

Aerators, shower head faces and removable spray nozzles can often be unscrewed and soaked to loosen deposits, then rinsed and brushed. Check the faucet maker's care instructions first, because some finishes do not tolerate acidic cleaners or long soaks, and a dulled or pitted finish cannot be polished back. Rubber spray nozzles can sometimes be cleared by rubbing them with a fingertip. When a cleaned aerator is cracked or still restricts flow, a matching replacement is a simple swap.

When parts have to be replaced

Inside a valve, scale does its damage gradually. Deposits on a ceramic disc cartridge can scratch the discs or keep them from sealing, and rubber seals pressed against rough deposits wear faster. A cartridge that drips, grinds or binds after scale has worked on it is usually replaced rather than cleaned, since cleaning will not restore a scored surface. On older compression faucets, a scaled seat can be dressed or replaced along with the washer. A stop valve frozen open by deposits is a candidate for replacement, preferably with a quarter-turn ball-type stop, which tends to resist sticking better than a multi-turn stem.

Working on scaled parts safely

A handle that will not turn should not be forced with a wrench. Brass stems and plastic cartridge parts can snap, leaving the valve stuck open or leaking. A plumber will usually shut off water upstream, remove the trim and work the part free, or cut out a seized stop and fit a new one. On an old faucet whose cartridge has fused to the body, replacing the faucet is often simpler than fighting the part.

Scale beyond the faucet

Deposits that affect faucets often affect water heaters too. Sediment collecting in the bottom of a tank, or scale on a tankless heat exchanger, reduces performance in a way that has nothing to do with the fixtures. Alpha's tankless water heater service in Lithonia includes descaling, and sediment in a gas tank is dealt with during gas water heater repair. Before buying any whole-house treatment equipment, having the water tested shows whether it is actually needed and what kind would help. Scale rarely affects just one fixture, and faucet and valve repair can deal with several scaled faucets and stops while the water is off.

Permits and the city

Lithonia's permit checklist ties the permit to fixture work that alters piping, or to new fixtures that need piping changes, rather than to faucet parts replaced on existing lines. Questions about a specific job go to the city's Building and Permitting Division.

Questions about faucet scale in Lithonia

How do I remove mineral buildup from a faucet aerator?

Unscrew the aerator from the spout, using a cloth around the pliers to protect the finish, and soak the parts in a mild descaling solution, then scrub and rinse them. Keep the pieces in order so they go back the same way. If the aerator is cracked or still restricts flow after cleaning, replace it with one of the same size and thread.

How often should aerators be cleaned?

There is no fixed schedule, since it depends on the water and how much each faucet is used. A quick look every few months tells you: if the stream has thinned, sprays sideways or the screen shows white flakes, it is time. The kitchen faucet, which runs the most, usually needs it well before a guest bathroom does.

Why won't my shutoff valve turn?

Usually because deposits or corrosion have locked the stem in place after years without moving. The safe response is to stop before anything breaks, since a wrench can snap a brass stem or tear the packing. Leave it open and plan a replacement, ideally a quarter-turn stop, while the main shutoff can still isolate it.

Clear the buildup

When a faucet in your Lithonia home grinds, sprays crooked or has a valve that refuses to move, Alpha Plumbing and Sewer can sort out what cleaning will fix and what needs a new part. The number to call is (404) 409-4448.