Leaky faucet repair in Ottawa
A dripping tap is easy to ignore, but it wastes water, stains sinks and, under the counter, can quietly rot a cabinet base. Here is how to tell what is going on and whether it is worth repairing.
Where is it leaking?
Where the water appears tells you a lot:
- From the spout when the tap is off. Usually a worn cartridge, washer or seat inside the valve.
- Around the handle. Often a worn O-ring or a loose packing nut.
- Under the sink. A loose or failing supply line, a corroded connection, or a leak at the drain, not the faucet itself.
- At the base of a kitchen faucet. A worn O-ring on the swivel spout or a failing seal under the deck plate.
Things you can safely check yourself
- Close the shut-off valves under the sink (turn clockwise). If they won't turn or they drip when you touch them, stop: an old valve can fail when forced. That is worth a photo.
- Dry everything with a paper towel, then open the valves and watch for where the first drop appears.
- Look at the supply lines. Braided lines with rust spots, kinks or bulges should be replaced.
- Note the brand. Many faucets have the logo on the handle or base. Knowing it helps match a replacement cartridge.
Typical price ranges (published sources)
These are typical ranges from cost guides, not our prices:
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Faucet installation (Canada) | $200–$460 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| New faucet installed (Canada) | $195–$455 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Fixing a leak (Canada) | $200–$950 | HomeStars Canada cost guide |
| Fixing a leak (Ottawa reviews) | average reported $450 | HomeStars Ottawa cost guide |
Sources: HomeStars Canada plumbing cost guide and HomeStars Ottawa plumbing cost guide, both updated Aug. 2026. HomeStars notes these figures may not include extra materials. The faucet itself is usually extra if you are replacing it.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense when:
- The faucet is a good-quality brand and parts are available
- Only one cartridge or seal is worn
- The finish and body are in good shape
Replacement often makes more sense when:
- The faucet is old, a no-name brand, or parts are hard to find
- The body is cracked or corroded
- You were planning to update the look anyway
- The shut-off valves under the sink also need replacing (doing both at once saves a second visit)
Older Ottawa homes
In older houses in neighbourhoods like the Glebe, Westboro or Old Ottawa South, faucets are often connected to older supply piping and multi-turn valves. A simple faucet swap can turn into replacing a seized shut-off valve. That's one of the reasons we ask for a photo under the sink.
Get a personal quote from photos
Send us:
- A photo of the faucet from the front
- A close-up of where the water appears
- A photo under the sink showing the shut-off valves and supply lines
A licensed plumber reviews every request and replies with a personal quote. There are no automatic estimates and no obligation. This is a small pilot, so we can't promise a response time, and the form isn't monitored for emergencies.