Discussing a Leaky Faucet with a Plumber
A homeowner calls a plumber to report a persistent leaky faucet in the bathroom and explains the symptoms, asking for a diagnosis and an estimate for the repair.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
leaky
An adjective meaning something has a small hole or crack that allows liquid to escape slowly, like a leaky faucet that drips water.
faucet
A noun for a device in sinks or baths that controls the flow of water; in American English, it's called a faucet, while in British English it's a tap.
persistent
An adjective describing something that continues happening over a long time without stopping, like a persistent problem that doesn't go away easily.
dripping
The present participle of 'drip,' meaning water falling in small drops; useful for describing leaks in home repairs.
washer
A noun in plumbing context for a small rubber or plastic ring that seals the faucet to prevent leaks; it's a common part that wears out over time.
corroded
An adjective meaning damaged by rust or chemical wear, often used for metal parts in pipes or valves that cause leaks.
estimate
A noun for an approximate calculation of cost or time for a job, like a repair estimate from a plumber; professionals use this to give clients an idea before starting.
availability
A noun meaning the time when someone or something is free to be used, like checking a plumber's availability for a service visit.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'm calling about a leaky faucet.
This is a simple way to introduce a problem when calling for help; use it to start a conversation about a specific issue, with 'about' linking the call to the topic.
It's been dripping for about a week now, and it seems to be getting worse.
This sentence describes the duration and progression of a problem using present perfect continuous 'has been dripping' for ongoing actions, and 'getting worse' to show change; useful for explaining symptoms to a service provider.
Is it a constant drip, or does it only leak when you turn it on?
A question using 'or' to offer choices for clarification; the present simple 'does it leak' asks about habits or conditions; great for professionals gathering details about a home issue.
That usually points to a worn-out washer or a corroded valve.
This uses 'points to' idiomatically to indicate a likely cause; 'worn-out' means damaged from use; helpful for diagnosing common problems and explaining to customers.
Could you tell me your address so I can give you an estimate for the repair?
A polite request with 'could you' for asking information, followed by 'so' to explain purpose; 'give you an estimate' is a common phrase in service calls; use this when needing details to provide quotes.
For a standard faucet repair like this, it typically runs between $90 and $150.
This gives a cost range using 'runs between' for prices and 'typically' for usual cases; 'like this' refers to the described situation; practical for quoting services in home improvement discussions.
Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?
A yes/no question with 'does...work for you' to check if a time is convenient; simple present for future arrangements; commonly used when scheduling appointments or services.