Faucet & Valve Repair in Norcross, GA

Next to the main kitchen faucet, many sinks carry a slim second tap. It might deliver water from an under-sink filter or a reverse osmosis system, or near-boiling water from a small heated tank in the cabinet. These little fixtures need faucet repair just like the big one, but they come with their own plumbing: a feed valve tapped into the cold supply, small tubing, and sometimes a drain connection. In Norcross kitchens, the usual complaints are a drip from the small spout, a gurgle at the sink, flow that has slowed to a trickle or water pooling in the cabinet.

Know which system you have

• Filter faucet: fed by one or more cartridge filters under the sink, with plastic tubing running up to the tap.
• Reverse osmosis faucet: part of a system with filters, a membrane, a small storage tank and a drain line. Some faucets include an air gap, a small chamber that keeps drain water from backing into the system.
• Instant hot dispenser: a faucet connected to an electric tank under the sink that keeps a small volume of water very hot.

Common problems and causes

A drip from the small spout usually means the faucet's internal valve or seal has worn; on many models it can be replaced as a cartridge, and on cheaper ones the whole faucet is swapped. Gurgling from the faucet base or the sink on a reverse osmosis system is normal in small amounts while the system flushes, but loud or constant gurgling, or water spilling from the air gap hole, points to a clogged or kinked drain line between the air gap and the disposal or sink drain. Slow flow at a filter tap is most often overdue cartridges, while slow flow at a reverse osmosis tap can also mean the storage tank has lost its air charge. An instant hot tap that spits steam, sputters or leaks from the tank needs its temperature setting checked or the unit inspected, and a leaking tank is replaced rather than repaired.

The feed valve under the sink

Most of these systems draw water through a small valve added to the cold supply, often an adapter that fits between the cold stop and the faucet supply line. Older installations sometimes used a saddle valve that clamps onto the pipe and pierces it, which can weep or fail over time. If the feed valve leaks or will not close, replacing it with a proper tee and a quarter-turn valve gives you a reliable way to shut the system off for filter changes. Push-fit tubing connections should seat fully and the tubing should be cut square; a slanted cut or partly seated tube is a common source of slow drips.

Neighbors in the same cabinet

The drain side of a reverse osmosis system often ties into the disposal or the sink tailpiece, so a problem there can look like a faucet issue. Disposal work is handled through garbage disposal repair in Norcross. Water collecting in the cabinet from an unknown source may need leak detection before parts are replaced. The main kitchen faucet next to it is often due for attention too, and both fall under Alpha's faucet and valve repair.

Upkeep that prevents repairs

Filters and membranes have replacement intervals set by the manufacturer, and sticking to them keeps the flow up and the faucet working as intended. Write the date on each cartridge when it goes in. Keep cleaning supplies away from the tubing so it is not kinked or pulled loose, and check the feed valve and connections for moisture each time filters are changed. An instant hot tank should be unplugged before any work and only refilled according to its instructions.

Permits and inspections

Running new supply or drain piping, for example to move a reverse osmosis system to another cabinet, is a step beyond swapping a tap or feed valve. In Norcross, the city's Building Official reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects plumbing work, so that office is the one to ask about new lines.

Drinking water tap questions in Norcross

How often should the filters under the sink be changed?

On the schedule the system's manufacturer sets, which differs between sediment, carbon and membrane stages and with how much water the household draws. Many systems carry a sticker or an indicator for this. A clear drop in flow or a change in taste before the due date usually means the household uses more water than the schedule assumed.

Why has the flow from my filtered water tap slowed down?

Start with the filters, since cartridges past their date are the usual cause. On a reverse osmosis system, a tired membrane or a storage tank that has lost its air charge will leave the tap weak even with fresh filters. If the filters are new and the flow is still poor, look for a kinked tube and make sure the feed valve is fully open.

Can an instant hot water dispenser be repaired?

Partly. The tap on the sink usually has replaceable seals or a valve, so a drip there is an ordinary faucet repair. A tank that leaks is replaced as a unit, and one that has simply stopped heating should be unplugged and checked against the maker's troubleshooting steps before anyone opens it, since it holds very hot water and has electrical parts.

Call Alpha

If the small tap at your Norcross sink drips, gurgles or barely runs, reach Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448. Knowing the system's brand helps the technician bring matching parts.