(571) 760-4451

Toilet, Faucet & Shower Repair in McLean, VA

Running toilet, dripping faucet or a stain under the shower? We fix fixture leaks before they turn into ceiling and floor repairs.

Call (571) 760-4451Request service online
  • Running & leaking toilets
  • Faucets & shut-off valves
  • Shower pan leaks

Fixture leaks are easy to put off. A toilet that runs at night or a slow drip seems harmless. But fixtures leak where you cannot see too: under the toilet, behind the shower wall and through the pan into the ceiling below. We fix the fixture and check for damage it may have caused. If you have a stain on a ceiling and do not know which fixture caused it, read who to call for a water leak in the ceiling or book leak detection.

What our fixture repair service includes

Signs and causes

Sign Fixture Likely cause
Toilet runs or refills by itself Toilet Worn flapper or fill valve
Water around the toilet base Toilet Failed wax ring or loose bolts
Constant drip from the spout Faucet Worn cartridge or washer
Water under the sink cabinet Faucet or supply lines Loose connection or failed hose
Ceiling stain below a shower Shower Pan, drain or valve leak
Wet grout that never dries Shower Failed pan or waterproofing
Stain below a tub Tub Drain or overflow gasket

How toilet repair and fixture fixes work in McLean

  1. Find the source. We check the fixture, its supply lines and drain, and run dye or flood tests where needed.
  2. Shut off and protect. We close the fixture valve and protect floors and finishes.
  3. Repair or replace parts. Flappers, fill valves, cartridges, seals and valves are replaced with matching parts.
  4. Test. We run the fixture, check for drips and recheck below for leaks.
  5. Advise on damage. If wood or drywall stayed wet, we tell you what to watch.

Shower leak sources compared

Source When it leaks How we test
Shower pan When water sits on the floor Plug drain and flood test
Drain connection When the shower drains Run water down the drain only
Valve or supply All the time, or when the shower is on Pressure test the valve
Grout and tile When walls get sprayed Spray test the walls

What affects the cost

DIY vs calling a pro

Replacing a toilet flapper and doing the dye test are easy DIY jobs. Many faucet cartridges can be swapped by handy owners. Call a plumber for leaks at the toilet base, shower pans, shower valves inside the wall, or anything leaking into a ceiling below.

Water use and permits

The EPA's WaterSense program says a showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons a year, and recommends replacing toilet flappers at least every five years. Fairfax County requires a residential plumbing permit for installing new plumbing fixtures and for replacing or repairing plumbing equipment; we tell you when your job needs one.

Repair or replace the fixture?

A good rule: repair a fixture when parts are available and the body is sound, and replace it when the same problem keeps returning or the fixture is cracked.

Fixture Usually repair when Usually replace when
Toilet Flapper, fill valve or wax ring has failed Bowl or tank is cracked, or it clogs constantly
Faucet Cartridge or washer is worn Body is corroded or parts are no longer made
Shower valve Cartridge drips or temperature drifts Valve body leaks inside the wall
Shower pan Drain gasket or grout is the only issue The waterproof pan itself has failed

Older homes often have fixtures whose parts are hard to find. We tell you when replacement is the better value.

Upstairs bathrooms deserve extra attention. A small, slow leak there may not show for months, until it stains the ceiling below. Checking around toilets and under vanities twice a year catches most problems early.

Local note

Condo and high-rise owners in Tysons often find fixture leaks when a neighbor below reports a stain. In older homes in Falls Church and North Arlington, original shower pans are common sources of hidden leaks.

Toilet, faucet and shower questions

Why does my toilet keep running?

Usually a worn flapper, a chain that is too short or too long, or a fill valve set too high so water spills into the overflow tube. The EPA says a worn flapper can leak thousands of gallons a year.

How do I check a toilet for a silent leak?

Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. The EPA recommends this test.

Why is water leaking at the base of my toilet?

Often a failed wax ring, loose closet bolts or a cracked base. Keep using it and water can rot the subfloor and stain the ceiling below. Have it reset with a new seal.

How do I know if my shower pan is leaking?

Stains on the ceiling below, loose or cracked tile, dark grout that stays wet, or musty smells. A flood test of the pan, with the drain plugged, confirms it.

Is a dripping faucet worth fixing?

Yes. The EPA says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons a year. Most drips are a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-11-07. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Read how we research and check pages in our editorial policy.

Related plumbing services

Toilet and faucet repair near you

Helpful guides

Fixture leaking into the floor or ceiling? Call now.

Call McLean Plumber Works any time, day or night. A plumber picks up and talks you through next steps.

(571) 760-4451
Call (571) 760-4451 · Open 24/7