Faucet Repair in Keller TX: What’s Dripping, What It Costs, and When Hard Water Is the Real Problem

By Brent Applegate, Licensed Master Plumber | Polly Plumbing | License No. RMP-42199 Serving Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Grapevine, Denton, Trophy Club, Roanoke, and all of Tarrant and Denton Counties. Based in Keller, TX.

Faucet Repair in Keller TX: What’s Dripping, What It Costs, and When Hard Water Is the Real Problem

A dripping faucet in a Keller home is rarely just a worn washer. It is usually a worn cartridge — and in Keller’s 15 to 25 GPG hard water, cartridges wear faster than the manufacturer’s warranty was designed for.

The City of Keller’s water supply runs at hardness levels among the highest in Texas. That mineral content — calcium and magnesium dissolved in every gallon — deposits scale inside faucet cartridges, builds on valve seats, and accelerates wear on ceramic disc assemblies. A faucet that would last 15 years in average hardness water may start dripping in Keller after 6 to 8 years without a water softener.

This guide explains the most common faucet failures in Keller TX, what repair or replacement costs, and when fixing the faucet is the right call versus when replacing it makes more sense. Call (817) 286-3446 any time to schedule. Live agents answer 24/7.

What Hard Water Actually Does to a Keller Faucet

Most faucets fail for one of two reasons: normal mechanical wear, or accelerated mineral scale damage. In Keller and Tarrant County, the second cause is far more common than most homeowners realize.

When Tarrant County water — documented by the U.S. Geological Survey to run through Blackland Prairie geology high in dissolved minerals — flows through a faucet cartridge thousands of times per year, it leaves microscopic calcium deposits on the sealing surfaces. Over years those deposits build until the cartridge cannot seat cleanly. The result is a faucet that drips even when fully closed, or one that requires noticeably more force to turn off each year.

Ceramic disc cartridges — the type used in most modern single-handle kitchen and bathroom faucets — are particularly susceptible. The ceramic surfaces depend on smooth contact to seal. Mineral scale breaks that smooth contact. A faucet installed in 2010 in a Keller home without a softener may now require noticeably more force to close and may drip regardless of how hard you push because the scale has etched the ceramic.

In Brent’s experience on Keller faucet repair calls, the majority of dripping faucets on units 7 years or older in Tarrant County hard water have significant scale deposits on the cartridge or valve seat as the primary cause — not ordinary seal wear. That distinction changes the repair recommendation because cleaning a scaled cartridge produces a temporary result while replacing it produces a durable one.

The Four Most Common Faucet Problems in Keller TX

Problem 1: Dripping When Off

This is the most common call. The faucet drips from the spout when the handle is fully closed. The cause is almost always a worn or scale-damaged cartridge on single-handle faucets, or a worn washer and O-ring on older compression faucets.

On single-handle cartridge faucets (ball-type or ceramic disc): cartridge replacement is the correct repair. The cost of the cartridge varies by brand — a Moen cartridge runs $15 to $40 at retail; a Delta costs $20 to $50. Labor with Polly Plumbing is quoted on site. Most cartridge replacements are completed in under an hour.

On older two-handle compression faucets in pre-1995 Keller homes: washer and seat replacement has been the traditional fix. However, on a faucet that is 25 to 35 years old with original compression valves, the seat itself is often corroded or etched by hard water to the point where replacing the washer produces another drip within months. At some age threshold, replacement of the entire faucet is the more cost-effective path.

Problem 2: Dripping or Leaking at the Base

Water pooling around the base of the faucet where it meets the sink surface indicates a failed O-ring or base gasket — not the same failure as a dripping spout. On most single-handle faucets the O-rings are replaceable without replacing the entire cartridge. This is typically a minor repair.

However, a leak at the base of an older faucet in Keller hard water may indicate that the faucet body itself has corroded at the mounting nut threads. In that case Brent will note it at the repair visit. For older Keller homes where the supply lines under the sink are the original galvanized steel, corroded fittings at the faucet connection are often the first visible sign of a broader supply system issue. See our whole home repiping guide for Keller TX for what to do when the pipes themselves are the problem.

Problem 3: Handle Stiffness or Squeaking

A handle that is increasingly difficult to turn, or that squeaks when operated, indicates scale accumulation inside the cartridge channel or on the stem threads. In Keller hard water this develops progressively — the faucet gets stiffer each year until turning the handle requires real effort.

This is usually a cartridge replacement call with a clean-out of the valve body. On ball-type faucets, replacing the seats, springs, and ball assembly resolves most stiffness issues.

Problem 4: Low Pressure at a Single Faucet

When pressure is strong at all other fixtures but weak at one specific faucet, the aerator screen is almost always the cause. Aerators collect mineral deposits from Keller’s hard water and clog progressively. Removing and cleaning the aerator — a homeowner DIY task that takes five minutes — often restores full pressure without a service call.

If cleaning the aerator does not restore pressure, the supply line valve to that fixture may be partially closed, or the valve body inside the faucet has scale restricting flow. Brent checks both on every low-pressure faucet call.

For a complete guide to diagnosing low water pressure throughout your Keller home, including the pressure reducing valve check and galvanized pipe assessment, see our low water pressure guide for Keller TX.

Repair vs Replace: The Honest Framework for Keller Faucets

Not every dripping faucet deserves a repair call. Here is the honest decision framework.

Repair makes sense when: The faucet is under 10 years old. The brand has available cartridge parts at a reasonable cost. The faucet body is in good condition — no corrosion at the base, no mineral-etched finish, handles that still operate smoothly. A cartridge replacement on a quality 6-year-old Moen or Delta faucet in Keller hard water is a sensible investment.

Replacement makes sense when: The faucet is 15 or more years old. The faucet is a compression-style unit (two handles, separate hot and cold) in a pre-1995 Keller home — these are now 30 or more years old. Cartridge parts are discontinued or difficult to source for the specific brand and model. The faucet finish is degraded from mineral etching. The homeowner wants an upgrade in style or function regardless of the repair cost.

The Keller hard water consideration: Repair on a relatively new faucet without a water softener buys time but does not address the root cause. The next cartridge in a hard water environment will scale the same way. If a Keller homeowner is replacing cartridges on the same faucet every 4 to 5 years, the more durable long-term investment may be a better-quality ceramic disc faucet with a lifetime warranty — or a whole-home water softener that extends the life of every fixture, appliance, and water heater in the house simultaneously.

What Faucet Repair Costs in Keller TX

Polly Plumbing quotes faucet repair on arrival after assessing the faucet type, age, brand, and failure mode. A written quote is provided before any work begins. The following ranges reflect the Keller market in 2026.

Minimum service fee: $349. Written quote before work begins. Same-day service available Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. No emergency surcharge.

Faucet Repair in Denton TX

The Denton market has significant faucet repair demand — Polly Plumbing serves all of Denton County for faucet repair and replacement. Denton’s water supply comes from the North Texas Municipal Water District and Denton’s own treatment facilities. Water hardness in most of Denton County runs in the moderately hard range — lower than Tarrant County’s very hard supply but still above the national average.

For Denton homeowners near Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas corridor, and established neighborhoods built in the 1970s through 1990s, original faucets in those homes are 30 to 50 years old and well past their useful life regardless of water hardness. Replacement is the correct call in most cases on those units.

For newer Denton construction in master-planned communities along US-380 and Loop 288, faucet cartridge repair is typically straightforward and cost-effective.

Call (817) 286-3446 to schedule faucet repair anywhere in Denton County. Live agents answer 24/7.

A Real Call: The Faucet That Had Been Dripping for Two Years

Carol called from her home in Keller — a 2001 build off Keller Parkway. The master bath faucet had been dripping at night for almost two years. She had been putting a cloth under the spout to muffle the sound.

Brent arrived and identified a Moen single-handle cartridge faucet, original to the home, 24 years old. The cartridge had significant scale deposit on the sealing surfaces — the calcium had etched a groove into the ceramic. He also noted that the faucet body finish had mineral staining that cleaning would not resolve, and the handle mechanism was stiff enough to require two hands to operate.

He gave Carol two options in writing. Option one: cartridge replacement at $285. It would stop the drip. The stiffness would remain because the scale on the valve body channel was not fully addressable without replacing the faucet. The next cartridge in this hard water without a softener would likely scale within 4 to 6 years.

Option two: full faucet replacement with a new Moen Arbor, a solid upgrade at $560 including the fixture and labor. New warranty. New handle mechanism. Resolved stiffness permanently.

Carol chose the replacement. She had not thought of the faucet as replaceable — to her it had always just been the faucet. Two hours later she had a new fixture that operated easily and quietly. She mentioned it was the first morning in two years she had not woken up to dripping.

What Polly Plumbing Does on Every Keller Faucet Repair Call

When you call Polly Plumbing for faucet repair in Keller or any surrounding service area, Brent asks two things before arriving: what type of faucet it is and approximately how old the home is. Those details let him arrive with the right parts and a clear repair-versus-replace framework.

On arrival he checks the faucet type and brand, assesses the failure mode, inspects for scale damage on the cartridge and valve body, checks the aerator and supply lines, and gives you a written quote for both the repair option and the replacement option if both are applicable. You decide with full information.

Every finding is documented in a written visit summary. If a faucet repair reveals corroded supply lines, a failed shutoff valve, or another issue worth noting, it goes in the summary with a recommendation — not a surprise at the invoice.

Same-day faucet repair throughout Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Carrollton, Lewisville, and all of Tarrant County and Denton County.

Call (817) 286-3446 any time. Live agents answer 24/7. No emergency surcharge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Faucet Repair in Keller TX

How much does faucet repair cost in Keller TX?

Cartridge replacement on a single-handle kitchen or bath faucet runs $195 to $340 including parts. Washer and seat replacement on a compression faucet runs $175 to $310. O-ring or base gasket repair runs $150 to $260. Full faucet replacement with a Polly-supplied fixture runs $340 to $650 depending on the fixture. The $89 dispatch fee is waived for PollyCare members. Written quote before any work begins. Call Polly Plumbing at (817) 286-3446 for same-day faucet repair in Keller.

Why does my Keller TX faucet keep dripping after it was just repaired?

The most common cause in Keller is Tarrant County hard water mineral scale that deposits on the new cartridge’s sealing surfaces the same way it did on the old one. A cartridge replacement in 15 to 25 GPG hard water without a softener may last 4 to 6 years before scale builds up enough to cause another drip. If a Keller faucet has needed cartridge replacement twice in under 8 years, consider either a higher-quality ceramic disc faucet with a lifetime warranty or a whole-home water softener that reduces scale accumulation across every fixture.

Should I repair or replace my Keller faucet?

Repair is the right call for faucets under 10 years old with available parts and no significant body corrosion. Replacement is usually better for faucets 15 or more years old, compression-style faucets in pre-1995 Keller homes (now 30-plus years old), faucets with discontinued parts, or any faucet with significant mineral etching on the finish or stiff handle operation from scale in the body. Brent presents both options with pricing on every faucet service call.

How do I know if my faucet problem is the aerator or the cartridge?

If pressure is low at one specific faucet but fine everywhere else, start with the aerator. Unscrew the aerator screen at the tip of the spout and run the faucet without it. If pressure is restored, the aerator was clogged with mineral deposits — clean or replace it. If pressure is still low without the aerator, the issue is inside the valve body or in the supply line. If the faucet drips with the handle fully closed, the aerator is not the problem — the cartridge or valve seat has failed.

Does Tarrant County hard water damage faucets faster?

Yes. Keller’s water at 15 to 25 GPG is among the hardest in Texas. Mineral deposits accumulate inside cartridges and on valve seats significantly faster than in lower-hardness markets. A cartridge that lasts 15 years in average hardness water may show dripping in Keller within 6 to 10 years without maintenance. Annual aerator cleaning and prompt cartridge replacement when dripping begins extend faucet life. A whole-home water softener is the most effective long-term solution.

Can you repair a faucet the same day in Keller TX?

Yes. Polly Plumbing provides same-day faucet repair in Keller and throughout Tarrant and Denton Counties, available Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. Live agents answer 24/7 to book appointments including overnight for next-morning service. Brent carries common cartridge parts for major brands including Moen, Delta, Kohler, and American Standard on the truck. No emergency surcharge. Call (817) 286-3446.

Do you repair faucets in Denton TX?

Yes. Polly Plumbing serves all of Denton County for faucet repair and replacement including Denton, Lewisville, Carrollton, Trophy Club, Roanoke, and Flower Mound. Denton’s water is moderately hard — softer than Tarrant County’s supply. Faucet cartridge repair is typically cost-effective for Denton homes built after 1990. For older Denton homes with original compression faucets from the 1970s and 1980s, replacement is usually the better call. Call (817) 286-3446 for same-day service in Denton County.

Written by Brent Applegate, Licensed Master Plumber, Polly Plumbing. Texas License RMP-42199. Based in Keller, TX. Serving Tarrant and Denton Counties.

Published: May 2026. Last reviewed: May 2026.