Poway treats its own hard water, and that mineral load is behind many of the stiff handles, crusted aerators and steady drips in town. A worn cartridge or seal is usually the fix, with replacement reserved for faucets that are damaged or obsolete. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Poway.
Why is Poway water so hard on faucets?
The City of Poway runs its own water system and treats nearly all of its supply, imported raw water from the San Diego County Water Authority plus local rainfall captured in Lake Poway, at the Lester J. Berglund Water Treatment Plant. The City's water quality report puts hardness at roughly 228 to 235 ppm as calcium carbonate, within a wider range of 165 to 291 ppm. Water that hard leaves a mineral film every time a faucet drains and dries, and the film builds into scale on the aerator, the spout and the sealing faces of a cartridge.
The City disinfects with both chlorine and chloramines. Chloramine lasts a long time in the pipes, which is good for water safety, but over the years it can stiffen and crack rubber O-rings and washers. Put the two together and a faucet can drip because of scale, worn rubber or both.
Should I fix the faucet in my 1970s house or buy a new one?
Poway's median home was built around 1978, so a lot of houses have faucets that were replaced once already, sitting on angle stops and supply tubes from the original build. If the faucet body is solid and parts are still available, a rebuild is usually the better value. If the body is cracked or pitted, parts are discontinued, or you want a different style, replacing makes more sense. Many plumbers suggest replacing original stops at the same time, since they are often reluctant to close.
Who do I call when water will not shut off?
Start with the angle stops under the sink, then the main shutoff if needed. Poway's cross-connection code describes the City's service connection as ending at the downstream end of the meter, so trouble at or before the meter is the City's to handle. Call Customer Services at 858-668-4401; after 3:00 p.m. on business days, on weekends and on holidays, the City lists the Water Treatment Plant at 858-668-4751. Inside the home, a plumber handles the repair.
Permits in Poway
The City of Poway Building Division takes submittals electronically through the City's online services, with plan check and inspection handled by EsGil Corporation. A like-for-like faucet repair is routine, but if a project moves or adds fixtures, ask Building Services at 858-668-4645 whether a permit applies.
Faucet Repair questions in Poway
What does the mineral content of the local water do to faucet parts?
Would a water softener help my faucets last?
A faucet is stuck open and will not stop running. What do I do first?
Why is the flow weak at one faucet while the others run fine?
More plumbing services in Poway
Faucet Repair nearby
Sources
Last updated: