You shut off the water, replaced the washer like the video said, turned everything back on… and drip. Drip. Drip. Somehow, your faucet still won’t quit.

At Golden Valley Plumbing, we’ve heard this story a hundred times in Sacramento homes. And before you blame yourself — it’s not that you did something wrong. It’s that the problem was probably never just the washer.

In fact, most dripping faucets we fix aren’t about one worn part. They’re about wear, age, and design — and what’s really going on inside that handle.

Washers don’t fix everything

Yes, rubber washers wear out. And yes, replacing them can stop a leak. But modern faucets aren’t always that simple. Many don’t even use traditional washers anymore — they use cartridges, ceramic disks, or internal seals that aren’t visible without taking the whole thing apart.

We’ve had customers in Sacramento call us after trying everything they saw on YouTube — only to find out the seat (the part the washer presses against) was pitted or cracked. That means no matter how new the washer is, it still won’t seal.

Hard water makes things worse

Sacramento’s water isn’t the worst — but it’s got minerals. Over time, hard water leaves deposits on internal faucet parts. We’ve opened up “clean” faucets and found buildup that stopped seals from working properly.

You might not see it from the outside. But inside, corrosion and scale can keep your faucet from ever fully shutting off.

Sometimes, it’s just time for a new one

This part surprises people: sometimes the right fix is replacement. We’re not just saying that to sell you a faucet — we’ve literally spent hours chasing a leak, only to find a cracked valve body or warped brass. In those cases, we tell people the truth: your time and money are better spent on a new fixture.

Modern faucets also have longer warranties and better internal components. When we install a new one, we know it’s going to last — and stop that slow, maddening drip.

We’re not just saying that to sell you a faucet — we’ve literally spent hours chasing a leak, only to find a cracked valve body or warped brass. In those cases, we tell people the truth: your time and money are better spent on a new fixture.
That’s why, for many of our Sacramento clients, we recommend replacing the valve assembly entirely when the internal parts are just too far gone.

What we do when we show up

First, we test it. Then we take it apart carefully. We look for pitting, scaling, cracked cartridges, or warped parts. If the fix is small, we’ll do it on the spot. If not, we’ll walk you through your options and help you choose a replacement that fits your style — and your plumbing setup.

Bottom line:
If your faucet is still dripping after a repair, it’s not your fault — it’s just more complicated than it looks. And if you’re in Sacramento, Golden Valley Plumbing can help you figure out what’s really wrong and fix it for good. No more guessing. No more drip.