In San Clemente, hard City water and salty coastal air are two of the main reasons faucets wear out early. A dripping or stiff faucet usually needs a new cartridge or seals, while a corroded outdoor bib often needs replacing. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in San Clemente.
Is San Clemente water hard enough to damage faucets?
For homes on City water, it can be. The City's water quality report gives hardness of 293 mg/L, about 17 grains per gallon, for water from Irvine Ranch Water District's Baker plant and 236 mg/L, about 14 grains per gallon, for treated Metropolitan Water District water. No single figure is given for the whole system, but both are well into the hard range. Minerals at that level coat cartridge seals, harden O-rings and clog aerator screens, which shows up as drips, a gritty handle or a weak stream. Cleaning the aerator helps for a while; a cartridge that drips after shutoff usually needs replacing.
Not every address is on City water. Santa Margarita Water District serves Talega, and South Coast Water District serves a small part of north San Clemente. Those customers should look at their own district's report.
Why do outdoor faucets here corrode so quickly?
Salt air and the marine layer are hard on exposed brass and chrome. Hose bibs, shower valves on outdoor rinse stations and the visible pipe below them pit and green faster near the coast than inland. A bib that drips at the stem or spins without shutting off is usually better replaced than rebuilt once corrosion reaches the threads. Adding a vacuum breaker at the same time is common practice.
What does a San Clemente faucet repair involve?
With a median home built in 1982, many San Clemente houses have been through one or more remodels, so you may find anything from original two-handle compression faucets to recent single-lever units. The plumber shuts off the stops, takes the faucet apart, and checks seats, cartridges and seals for mineral wear. Old stop valves that won't close fully are often swapped during the same visit. Larger plumbing changes go through the City's Community Development Building Division.
A local note
If a faucet or supply line breaks and water will not stop, close the stop under the sink or your home's main shutoff. City water customers can report leaks on the public side to the City's utilities hotline at 949-366-1553. Talega and north San Clemente customers should contact their own district.
Faucet Repair questions in San Clemente
Can salt air near the coast damage outdoor faucets?
Does hard water wear out faucet cartridges faster?
How do I find out which water district serves my home?
A faucet is spraying and won't shut off. What do I do first?
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