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Start with the handle and tank before replacing anything.

1. Make sure the flush handle returns to its resting position. Carefully lift the tank lid and check whether the chain is caught under the rubber flapper.
2. If the chain is caught, free it gently so the flapper can sit flat. Don’t bend or force the parts.
3. To check a quiet leak, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. Wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl indicates a leak; flush afterward to prevent staining.

Compare it with another faucet. A local restriction is different from low flow throughout the property.

1. Check whether both hot and cold water are affected, and whether other faucets work normally.
2. If your faucet has an aerator designed to unscrew by hand, turn the faucet off, cover the drain and remove it gently. Rinse loose debris and reinstall as the manufacturer directs.
3. Stop if it is stuck or requires a special tool. Don’t force the finish or adjust the home’s pressure regulator.

Visible hair and soap buildup at the strainer can slow a single drain.

1. Put on gloves. Remove visible debris from the strainer or a stopper designed to lift out easily.
2. Try a small amount of water and watch the level. Stop running water if it starts to rise.
3. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, mixing cleaning products and pouring boiling water into the drain.

A simple check can help identify where the water is coming from.

1. Stop using the sink. From a dry, safe area, check whether a bottle spilled or whether a pipe is wet. Keep away from outlets and electrical equipment.
2. For an active supply leak, close the fixture’s shutoff valve only if you know which valve it is and can reach it safely. Never force a stuck valve.
3. Place a container under a small drip if safe. Don’t loosen fittings or keep testing a leaking drain.

These observations help separate a fixture issue from a building-wide interruption.

1. Check one other faucet. Note whether the water is cold everywhere or only at one fixture.
2. In an apartment or condo, check for a maintenance notice and contact management about any building shutoff.
3. If safely visible, take a photo of the heater’s display or error code. Leave gas controls, electrical covers and safety valves alone.

A little preparation matters in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. winters.

1. Disconnect outdoor hoses before freezing temperatures arrive and follow the faucet manufacturer’s winterizing instructions.
2. Keep indoor heat on. Open sink-cabinet doors where pipes are exposed to cold air, keeping household chemicals out of children’s reach.
3. Locate your indoor water shutoff before there is a problem. Never use a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe.