Do You Need a Plumber to Replace a Faucet? What to Know

Not always. You can swap a basic faucet yourself if the shutoff valves work and you have room to reach the nuts. Call a plumber if:

• The shutoff valves under your sink won't turn, or they leak when you touch them
• Your supply lines are old, rusty, or kinked
• Your cabinet floor is soft, stained, or swollen from water
• Your new faucet needs new holes, a wall mount, or a new sink
• You're installing a pull-down or touchless faucet in a tight space
• Your faucet still drips after you tried to fix it

Stuck valves and worn supply lines are common in older Little Rock homes. Most faucet replacements take us 1 to 2 hours. We check your valves and supply lines, then test for leaks before we leave.

Need it done right the first time? See our faucet replacement in Little Rock service.

Yes, you can replace a basic faucet yourself in many cases. It works best when your shutoff valves turn easily and stop the water all the way. You also need room under the sink to reach the nuts holding the old faucet.

Before you start, gather these tools:

• Basin wrench, for the nuts behind the sink bowl
• Adjustable wrench
• Bucket to catch water from the old lines
• Towels for the cabinet floor
• Flashlight

In Arkansas, the plumbing code lets property owners repair their own plumbing lines. Anyone else doing plumbing work needs a license from the Arkansas Department of Health. If you're not sure your project counts as a repair, call the department before you start.

If you rent, check with your landlord before you touch the plumbing. About half the homes in Little Rock are rentals. Your lease may say the owner handles repairs.

A basic swap is one thing. Old valves, tight cabinets, and wall-mounted faucets are another. Below are the signs your job needs a licensed plumber.

Some faucet jobs look simple until you open the cabinet. These are the signs your job needs a licensed plumber.

Your shutoff valves are stuck or leak. Valves that sit for years can seize in place. If you force one, it can crack or start leaking at the stem. Then you have to shut off water to the whole house.

Your supply lines are worn. Check the lines that run from the valves to the faucet. Rust at the nuts, kinks, or stiff, cracked rubber mean they need to go. Old galvanized pipe behind the valve can also break when you turn a wrench on it.

There's water damage in the cabinet. A soft, stained, or swollen cabinet floor means water has leaked for a while. A musty smell is another clue. We find the source of the leak before the new faucet goes in.

The job goes beyond a straight swap. Call us if you need:

• A wall-mounted faucet
• A new sink or countertop
• New holes drilled for a different faucet style

Your home is older. The median home in Little Rock was built in 1978. Many still have their original shutoff valves and supply lines. Those parts are often why a quick DIY swap stalls halfway.

Here's a call we get a lot. A homeowner buys a new kitchen faucet and turns the shutoff under the sink. The handle snaps off, or the valve starts to drip. Now the kitchen has no water, and the old faucet is half off. We shut off the main, replace both valves, put in new supply lines, and finish the install. Then we run the water and check every connection for leaks.

If any of these sound like your sink, call a licensed plumber in Little Rock. Next, here's what a plumber will likely charge.

Most people pay a few hundred dollars to have a plumber replace a faucet. Here are the national averages:

Faucet	Average cost	Typical range
Bathroom faucet	$270	$170 to $360
Kitchen faucet	About $350	$200 to $500+

Source: Angi
Plumbers across the country charge about $45 to $200 an hour. Your price in Little Rock can land above or below these numbers.

These things change your price:

Price factor	Why it adds cost
Faucet type	Pull-down, touchless, and wall-mounted faucets take more time
Shutoff valves	Stuck or leaking valves get replaced before the new faucet goes in
Supply lines	Worn lines get swapped for new ones
Access	Tight cabinets or sink removal slow the job down
Old faucet removal	Rusted-in-place faucets take longer to get out

Already bought your faucet? We'll install it for you. Just let us know when you call.

Before any work starts, ask for a clear price. We explain your options first, so you know the cost before we pick up a tool. Getting another quote? Bring it to us, and we'll tell you straight if it's fair.

Check out our faucet replacement in Little Rock page.

Most of the time, yes. Supply lines cost little compared to the damage a failed line can cause. The old faucet is already off, so it's the easiest time to swap them.

Supply lines are the short hoses that connect your shutoff valves to the faucet. Replace yours if you see:

• Bulges or bubbles in the hose
• Rust or green buildup at the nuts
• Stiff or cracked rubber
• Kinks or sharp bends

Many older homes still have plain rubber lines or solid copper tubes. Braided stainless steel lines are the common upgrade. They bend without kinking and hold up better over time.

Check your new faucet's instructions too. Many plumbers suggest replacing braided lines every 5 to 10 years, even if they look fine. The rubber inside wears out before the outside shows it.

If your shutoff valves feel stiff, replace them at the same time. The water is already off, and a stiff valve can fail when you need it most. That saves you a second visit later.

Most faucet replacements take us 1 to 2 hours. You can plan on having your sink back the same day.

Here's how we replace a faucet:

1. Shut off the water at the valves under your sink
2. Disconnect and remove the old faucet
3. Check your shutoff valves and supply lines for wear
4. Install the new faucet and connect the lines
5. Run the water and check every connection for leaks
6. Clean up the work area

Some jobs take longer. These add time:

• Shutoff valves that are stuck or leaking
• Rusted nuts holding the old faucet in place
• Tight cabinets with little room to work
• A sink that has to come out first

If it's your first time doing this yourself, plan on more time than a plumber needs. Stuck parts and extra trips to the hardware store add up fast.

Even a quick swap can go wrong. Here are the mistakes we see most.

Small mistakes during a faucet swap can cause leaks days or weeks later. These are the ones we see most:

• Overtightening the nuts. Too much force can crack a fitting. Snug is enough.
• Skipping the leak test. Run hot and cold water, then wipe every connection with a dry paper towel.
• Reusing old supply lines. Old lines can fail soon after they get moved around.
• Buying the wrong faucet. Count the holes in your sink before you shop. If the numbers don't match, you'll need a cover plate or new holes.
• Not shutting the water off all the way. A valve that only closes partway can spray when you take the line off.

Here's a call we get often. Someone replaces a faucet themselves and keeps the old supply lines. It looks fine for a few days. Then a line gives out under the sink and soaks the cabinet floor. New lines at the start cost far less than fixing a wet cabinet.

A kitchen faucet can last 15 to 20 years. Little Rock's water is soft, so mineral buildup is rarely what makes a faucet drip here. Most drips come from a worn cartridge or O-ring, and those can often be repaired.

Repair it if	Replace it if
It has one drip or leak	It leaks in more than one spot
The faucet is fairly new	It's close to 15 years old or older
Parts are still sold for your model	Parts are no longer made
The finish still looks good	The finish is peeling or pitted

Not sure if yours needs a repair or a new faucet? Call us and we'll give you a straight answer. You can also see our Google reviews to hear from your neighbors.