Toilet, Faucet & Fixture Repair and Replacement in Raleigh & Wake County
The running toilet, the dripping faucet, the disposal that hums and quits, the shower that's either scalding or cold. Small jobs, done right the first time, with the price in writing before we touch anything.
Bought your own faucet or toilet? Bring it. We install customer-supplied fixtures too. Free in-home quotes during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8–5).
Fixtures: the short answer
Fixtures are the plumbing you touch every day. They're also most of what we do.
Toilets, faucets, disposals, shower valves, sinks, the shutoff valves under them. None of it is dramatic, and all of it is what people actually call a plumber for. We repair what's worth repairing, replace what isn't, and tell you which is which before you decide.
A dripping faucet wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. A running toilet, far more. Small fixes, real money.1
- What we work on
- Toilets, faucets (kitchen, bath, bar, laundry), garbage disposals, shower and tub valves and trim, sinks and vanities, shutoff valves and supply lines, hose bibs, washer boxes, and the drains under all of it.
- Repair or replace
- If the part exists and the fixture has years left, we repair it. If it's cracked, corroded, out of parts, or an old 3.5-gallon toilet, we tell you a replacement is the better spend. The rule of thumb is in the table below.
- Your fixture or ours
- Either. Pick out what you like and we'll install it; we'll tell you up front if it won't fit your rough-in. Or we supply it. Two of the jobs on this page were customer-bought fixtures.
- Price
- Flat-rate, in writing, before we start. No trip charge or estimate fee during business hours. Most fixture jobs are done in one visit, a couple of hours.
- Warranty
- One year on our work. The manufacturer's warranty on the fixture on top of that.
- Remodeling?
- Moving a drain, adding a shower, roughing in a new bath: that's the remodel plumbing page.
By fixture
What goes wrong, and what we do about it
Toilets
Running, hissing, or flushing on its own: a worn flapper or fill valve. Twenty-minute fix, and it stops the silent leak. Cary's water department says one in four toilets leaks.2
Not sure if yours is leaking? Drop a dye tablet (or food coloring) in the tank, wait half an hour, look in the bowl.
Water at the base, or a ceiling stain below a bathroom: a wax ring or a cracked flange. We pull the toilet, fix the flange if it needs it, and reset it. This North Ridge ceiling leak was a flange.
Weak flush, clogs every week, rocking, cracked tank: replace it. Toilets are nearly 30% of indoor water use; a WaterSense toilet uses 1.28 gallons a flush or less, and swapping old toilets saves a family about 13,000 gallons a year.3 A pre-1994 toilet uses 3.5 gallons or more.2
Faucets
Dripping: usually a cartridge or seat. If the manufacturer still makes the part, we replace it. One drip a second is more than 3,000 gallons a year down the drain.1
Low flow, spitting, hard to turn, corroded, or 15-plus years old and out of parts: replace it. We'll match the hole pattern on your sink (single hole, 4" centerset, 8" widespread) so you don't buy the wrong one twice.
Leaking under the sink: often not the faucet. It's the supply lines or the shutoffs. See shutoffs and supply lines.
Garbage disposals
Hums but won't spin: jammed. Sometimes freed with the wrench, sometimes a burned-out motor that only sounds jammed.
Leaking from the bottom: the seal's gone. That's a replacement; the housing can't be fixed.
Leaking at the sink flange or the drain connection, or a kitchen sink that backs up when the disposal runs: repairable, and often a drain problem rather than a disposal problem. See drain cleaning.
Replacement is usually under an hour. Bigger isn't always better: a 1/2 or 3/4 hp unit matched to your drain line beats a 1 hp unit pushing food into a line that can't take it.
Showers and tubs
Scalding when someone flushes, or drifting hot and cold: the pressure-balance cartridge in the valve. A cartridge swap fixes most of them.
Dripping shower head or tub spout with the handle off: same cartridge, or the seats behind it.
Handle spins, trim is corroded, you want a different look, or the valve is an old two- or three-handle type: we replace the valve behind the wall and the trim in front of it. New valves are pressure-balanced or thermostatic, so the shower stops trying to burn you.
Freestanding tub fillers and wall-mount tub spouts: we rough them in and set them. The photos below are ours.
Sinks and vanities
Drop-in, undermount, farmhouse, pedestal, a new vanity with a top from the box store: we set it, connect the drain and the supplies, and make it not leak. If the new vanity's drain doesn't line up with the old one (it rarely does), we reconfigure the trap. That was half of the Apex job.
Replacing a sink is the right time to replace the shutoffs and supply lines under it. They're the cheapest parts in the room and the ones that flood it.
Shutoffs, supply lines and hose bibs
Angle stops (the little valves under sinks and behind toilets) seize up, then weep when somebody finally turns them. We replace them with quarter-turn valves that will actually shut off when you need them to.
Supply lines: braided stainless, replaced any time we replace the fixture. A burst supply line runs all day while you're at work; that's the flood you read about.
Outdoor hose bibs: dripping, won't shut off, or split by a freeze. We replace them with frost-free bibs. If it's January and the pipe behind it is frozen, read this first.
Washing machine boxes and valves: replaced when the old gate valves won't close. Same reason.
A leak that's in the pipe rather than the valve is on our water line page, Part 2.
Repair or replace?
The rule of thumb we use in your bathroom
We repair when the part exists, the fixture has years left, and the repair costs a lot less than the replacement. We recommend replacing when it doesn't. Here's what that works out to, fixture by fixture.
| Fixture | We'll repair it when | We'll tell you to replace it when |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | Flapper, fill valve, flush valve, handle, wax ring, flange, supply line. Most "running toilet" calls. | Cracked tank or bowl, a 3.5-gallon-or-more model from before 1994, clogs every week, bolts rusted through, or the inside parts are a discontinued design. |
| Faucet | Cartridge, seats and springs, aerator, sprayer hose, and the manufacturer still sells them. | Corroded body, parts unavailable, a no-name fixture with no parts at all, or a repair that costs most of a new faucet. |
| Garbage disposal | Jammed, tripped reset, leaking at the flange or drain connection. | Leaking from the housing, motor burned out, rusted through, or past 10 years and acting up. |
| Shower / tub valve | Cartridge, seats, trim and handle. | Old two- or three-handle valves (no scald protection), a valve body that's corroded, or parts that no longer exist. |
| Shutoff valve (angle stop) | Rarely. A new one costs less than fixing an old one. | Any that weeps, won't close, or is a multi-turn valve older than the house's second owner. |
| Hose bib | Washer or packing on a newer bib. | Split by a freeze, or any old bib without frost protection in a wall that faces north. |
We'll give you both prices when both are reasonable, and we'll say which we'd do in our own house. Our plumbers aren't paid based on how much you spend.
Our work
Fixtures we've set in Wake County homes
Worth knowing
The parts that flood houses cost less than dinner
Most of the water damage we see didn't come from a burst main. It came from a supply line under a sink, a toilet fill valve, a washing machine hose, or a shutoff that wouldn't shut. Cheap parts, long weekends away.
Replace these on a schedule
- Toilet and faucet supply lines: braided stainless, every 10 years or any time the fixture comes out
- Washing machine hoses: braided, same rule
- Multi-turn angle stops: swap for quarter-turn when you're in there anyway
Know where this is
- The main shutoff for the house (crawlspace, garage, or by the water heater)
- The shutoff behind each toilet
- The shutoff at the water heater
If any of them won't turn, that's the call to make before the leak, not after.
Real jobs
Three fixture jobs, signed by the plumber who did them
Dated bathroom faucet replaced
The homeowner picked out the faucet. We pulled the old one and its supply lines, set the new one, and checked everything for leaks. Two hours. Water never off.
Signed by Evan, Lead plumber · Full job →
Leaking shutoffs fixed, new vanity set
Two angle stops weeping in the same guest bath, and a new vanity waiting in the box. We replaced the valves and the toilet supply, set the vanity, reworked the trap to meet the new drain, and reused the faucet they liked.
Signed by AJ, Lead plumber · Full job →
Ceiling leak traced to a cracked toilet flange
Water through the ceiling every flush. We opened the ceiling, found a flange cracked by an ABS pipe set at an angle, cut out the bad section, set a new flange and reset the toilet. Two hours.
Signed by Bradly, Lead plumber · Full job →
See all our Signature Work: real jobs, photographed on site, signed by the plumber who did them.
What it costs
Flat-rate, in writing, before we start. Most jobs in one visit.
Fixture work is priced by the job, not the hour, so a stubborn old faucet doesn't cost you more than an easy one. We look, we quote, you decide. If we find a second problem under the sink (a shutoff that won't close, a drain that's rotted), we tell you and price it separately. You can say no.
What moves the price
- Repair vs. replace
- Whether you supply the fixture or we do
- Shutoffs and supply lines that need replacing at the same time
- A drain that has to be reworked to meet a new sink or vanity
- A shower valve replacement (behind the wall) vs. a trim or cartridge swap (in front of it)
What to expect
- Tell us what's wrong when you book; we'll bring the likely parts.
- We look at it, tell you repair or replace and why, and give you the price.
- You approve. We do the work, test it, and clean up.
- The plumber signs off on it. One-year warranty on our work.
A toilet flapper shouldn't turn into a new toilet you didn't need.
Fixture calls are where "while we're here" gets expensive. We built ARC so the person under your sink has no reason to say it. Read the full ARC Promise.
- Our technicians aren't paid based on how much you spend. If the repair is the right call, that's the recommendation.
- We don't charge you just to give you a price. No trip charge, no estimate fee, no obligation.
- Bring your own. Bought the faucet already? Good. We'll install it, and we'll tell you up front if it won't fit.
- Ask why. If we can't explain why we're recommending something, we shouldn't be recommending it.
From customers
What people say after we leave
★ across Google reviews.
★★★★★
"Clay and Mike came out and removed our garbage disposal that was causing problems. They were very efficient in their work. And they were also careful not to damage the counter tops and floors. Also answered our questions. This is the second we've used them because they are so courteous and helpful and professional."
★★★★★
"AJ was so kind and did a great job clearing a kitchen sink clog and replacing my garbage disposal. I'm a single mom and had my youngest kid home with me during the appointment. It's so important to me that I'm comfortable with any service person that's in my home. He explained everything he was doing, was polite, and chatted with me about wanting an island in his kitchen and how much he wants to go to Disney for Halloween. It was a great experience with ARC!"
★★★★★
"I had what I thought was a simple fill valve replacement on a toilet, which actually turned into a more complex additional seal issue which could have caused flooding if not repaired. Brad from ARC plumbing quickly diagnosed the issue, went out and bought additional parts and fixed the problem, all for less than $300 with a one year warranty. This was the best plumbing experience I have had in living 20 years in the Apex area. Brad was notably exceptional. I give ARC plumbing the highest possible recommendation."
Questions we get
Toilet, faucet and fixture questions
Can I buy my own toilet or faucet and have you install it?
Yes. Pick out what you like and we'll install it. Two things to check before you buy: the hole spacing on your sink for a faucet (single hole, 4-inch centerset or 8-inch widespread) and the rough-in distance from the wall to the bolts for a toilet (usually 12 inches). Send us a photo and we'll tell you before you order. We also supply fixtures if you'd rather we handle it.
My toilet keeps running. Repair or replace?
Almost always a repair: a worn flapper or a fill valve that doesn't shut off. It's a quick fix and it stops a leak that can waste thousands of gallons a year. We'd recommend replacing the toilet instead if the tank or bowl is cracked, if it's a 3.5-gallon-or-more model from before 1994, or if it clogs every week.
How much water does a new toilet save?
Toilets are nearly 30 percent of a home's indoor water use. A WaterSense-labeled toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less, against the 1.6-gallon federal standard and the 3.5 gallons or more that pre-1994 toilets use. The EPA puts the savings from replacing old toilets at about 13,000 gallons a year for a family.
My garbage disposal hums but doesn't spin. Is it dead?
Not necessarily. A hum usually means it's jammed; sometimes it frees with the wrench on the bottom and a push of the reset button. If it hums and trips again, or leaks from the bottom of the housing, the motor or seal is gone and it's a replacement, which takes under an hour. Turn it off at the switch before anyone puts a hand near it.
Why does my shower scald when someone flushes?
The valve's pressure-balance cartridge isn't doing its job, or you have an older two- or three-handle valve with no scald protection at all. A cartridge swap fixes most newer valves. For old valves we replace the valve body behind the wall and the trim in front of it with a pressure-balanced or thermostatic valve.
Can you match the finish on the rest of my bathroom?
Usually. Most manufacturers make faucets, shower trim and accessories in the same finish, and we'll tell you which lines match. If your existing fixtures are discontinued, we'll find the closest match or recommend replacing the set so it all matches.
How long does a fixture repair or replacement take?
Most of them are one visit of one to three hours: a toilet replacement, a faucet, a disposal, a set of shutoff valves. A shower valve replacement behind the wall, or a vanity whose drain doesn't line up with the old one, can take half a day. We tell you the time with the price.
Is there a warranty?
One year on our work, plus the manufacturer's warranty on the fixture itself. If we installed it and it leaks, call us.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet or faucet in Raleigh?
We price fixture work by the job, in writing, before we start, with no trip charge or estimate fee during business hours. What moves the price: repair vs. replace, whether you supply the fixture or we do, and whether the shutoffs, supply lines or drain under it need to be replaced at the same time. Most fixture jobs are a single visit.
Do you install fixtures outside Raleigh?
Yes. Across Wake County, including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville, Garner, Wake Forest and Knightdale, plus Clayton, Angier, Lillington, Durham and Chapel Hill. Call with your address to confirm.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from
- U.S. EPA WaterSense. Fix a Leak Week: "A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year"; "the average household's leaks can account for more than 9,300 gallons of water wasted every year."
- Town of Cary. Fix a Leak: "1 in 4 toilets leaks"; pre-1994 toilets use "3.5 gallons or more per flush"; daily usage alerts through the Aquastar account.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense. Residential Toilets: toilets are "nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption"; WaterSense toilets use "1.28 gallons per flush or less" against the 1.6-gallon federal standard; replacing old toilets saves "nearly 13,000 gallons" a year.
Tell us what's dripping. We'll bring the parts.
Book online or call. Business hours, there's no charge to come out and quote it. Bought your own fixture? Say so when you book and we'll check it fits before we arrive.
Where we repair and install fixtures
Homes and businesses across Wake County from our shop at 2406 Waco Commercial Ct in Fuquay-Varina: Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Morrisville, Wake Forest and Knightdale. We also cover Clayton, Angier, Lillington, the city of Durham and the RTP corridor, and the town of Chapel Hill.
Not sure we cover you? See the full service area or call with your address. Related: drain cleaning · water heaters · leaks inside the house · remodel plumbing · 8 preventive plumbing tips · 24-hour emergency plumbing · all plumbing services.
2406 Waco Commercial Ct
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
(919) 888-3500
Serving Wake County, Durham, Chapel Hill & the Clayton area