A dripping faucet seems minor, but a steady drip adds up over weeks and months on your water bill, and the constant sound can drive you a little crazy. More importantly, drips usually get worse, not better, and mineral-rich water can stain the sink beneath.
Fixing a leaky faucet is a classic DIY repair. The key is figuring out which of the four common faucet types you have, because each one seals water in a different way. Once you know the type, the fix is usually replacing an inexpensive washer, O-ring, seal or cartridge.
Before You Start
Turn off the water
Look under the sink for two shutoff valves (hot and cold) and turn them clockwise until they stop. Open the faucet to release pressure and confirm the water is off. If there are no shutoff valves, or they won’t close, you’ll need to shut off the home’s main water valve.
Protect the drain and finish
Put a stopper in the drain or lay a rag in the sink so small screws and springs don’t disappear. Wrap wrench jaws with tape or use a cloth to protect chrome and other finishes.
Take photos as you go
Snap a picture at each stage of disassembly. It makes reassembly much easier.
Tools and supplies
- Adjustable wrench and slip-joint pliers
- Phillips and flat screwdrivers
- Hex (Allen) key set
- Utility knife or small pick for removing decorative caps
- Replacement parts (washers, O-rings, cartridge, or seals)
- Plumber’s grease (silicone, safe for faucets)
- White vinegar and an old toothbrush for mineral buildup
- Rags and a flashlight
Identify Your Faucet Type
Compression faucet
Separate hot and cold handles that you twist to close, and you feel them tighten down. Common in older homes and utility sinks. Drips usually come from worn rubber washers.
Cartridge faucet
Can be one or two handles. A single handle typically moves up and down for flow and side to side for temperature. A cartridge inside controls water. Drips often mean a worn cartridge or O-rings.
Ball faucet
A single handle over a rounded cap, common in kitchens. Inside is a hollow ball with rubber seats and springs. Leaks usually come from worn seats and springs.
Ceramic disc faucet
Single handle over a wide cylinder body. Two ceramic discs control flow. They’re very durable; leaks often come from worn seals at the bottom of the disc cartridge.
If you know the faucet’s brand (Moen, Delta, Kohler, American Standard, Pfister and others), check the manufacturer’s site for parts diagrams by model. Many faucet makers offer lifetime warranties on parts, so it may be worth contacting them before buying replacements.
How to Fix a Compression Faucet
- Pry off the decorative cap on the handle, remove the screw, and pull off the handle.
- Use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut and remove the stem.
- At the bottom of the stem, a rubber washer is held by a brass screw. Remove the screw and washer.
- Install a new washer of the exact same size. Replace the O-ring on the stem too.
- Look into the faucet body at the valve seat. If it’s pitted, a seat wrench can remove it for replacement, or a seat dressing tool can smooth it.
- Coat new parts lightly with plumber’s grease and reassemble.
Washer assortment packs are cheap and handy, but take the old washer to the store to match it.
How to Fix a Cartridge Faucet
- Remove the handle (look for a screw under a cap or a small set screw for a hex key).
- Remove any retaining clip or nut holding the cartridge. Note the cartridge’s orientation; it matters for hot and cold.
- Pull the cartridge straight up. Stuck cartridges may need a cartridge puller tool made for your brand.
- Take the old cartridge to the store or order the exact replacement by brand and model.
- Replace O-rings on the faucet body if your design has them, lubricate with plumber’s grease, and install the new cartridge in the same orientation.
- Reinstall the clip and handle.
How to Fix a Ball Faucet
- Loosen the set screw and remove the handle.
- Unscrew the cap and collar with pliers wrapped in tape.
- Remove the cam, cam washer and ball.
- Use a small screwdriver to lift out the rubber seats and springs from the faucet body.
- Install new seats and springs from a repair kit made for your faucet, then replace the O-rings on the body if the spout also leaks at its base.
- Reassemble in order.
How to Fix a Ceramic Disc Faucet
- Remove the handle and the escutcheon cap.
- Unscrew the disc cylinder mounting screws and lift out the cylinder.
- Remove the neoprene seals from the bottom of the cylinder.
- Soak the cylinder openings in white vinegar if you see mineral buildup, then clean gently.
- Install new seals (or a new cartridge if the discs are cracked), and reassemble.
- Turn the water on slowly with the faucet open. A sudden blast of pressure can crack ceramic discs.
Leak at the Base or Under the Sink?
If water pools around the base of the spout, the O-rings on the spout or body are usually the problem. If you find water under the sink, check the supply lines and their connections, the shutoff valves themselves, and the drain connections. Braided stainless supply lines are inexpensive to replace if old ones look corroded or bulged.
Reassemble and Test
Turn the shutoff valves on slowly, and let the faucet run for a minute to flush air and debris. Check for drips at the spout and leaks around the handle and base. If the faucet sputters, unscrew and clean the aerator at the tip of the spout.
When to Replace the Faucet Instead
Repairing is usually cheaper, but replacement can make sense when:
- The faucet body is cracked or badly corroded
- Parts are no longer available for an older or off-brand model
- You’ve repaired it repeatedly
- You want features like a pull-down sprayer or a better finish
Most faucet replacements are DIY-friendly with a basin wrench for the mounting nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my faucet still drip after replacing the washer?
The valve seat may be worn or pitted, so the new washer can’t seal. Dress or replace the seat. In a cartridge faucet, the wrong cartridge or a missed O-ring can also cause continued drips.
Do I need to know the faucet brand?
It helps a lot. Cartridges especially are brand- and model-specific. Look for a logo on the handle or body, or take the old part to the store.
Is plumber’s grease necessary?
It’s recommended for O-rings and cartridges. It helps parts slide in without tearing and makes handles move smoothly. Use a faucet-safe silicone grease, not petroleum jelly.
How long does a faucet repair take?
Often under an hour once you have the right part. Finding the part is usually the longest step.
The Bottom Line
Identify your faucet type, shut off the water, take photos, and replace the worn part with an exact match. A washer, O-ring, seal kit or cartridge fixes the vast majority of dripping faucets, and it costs far less than a new faucet or a service call.
Editorial note: Fix It Folio is independent and reader-supported. This guide is based on research into manufacturer documentation, published specifications and widely accepted best practices; we have not been paid to mention any product. If we add affiliate links in the future, they will be clearly disclosed per our Affiliate Disclosure.