A dripping faucet is more than an annoying sound at night. It wastes water and money every single day. The good news is that fixing a leaky faucet is one of the easiest DIY plumbing repairs. In most cases you only need to replace a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge.
What you’ll need
- Adjustable wrench and tongue-and-groove pliers
- Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
- Hex (Allen) key set
- Replacement cartridge, washer or O-rings (match your faucet brand and model)
- Plumber’s grease, a towel and a small container for parts
Step 1: Identify your faucet type
Most household faucets are one of four types: compression (separate hot and cold handles that you twist tight), cartridge, ball or ceramic-disc. Look for the brand name on the faucet body or check your paperwork. Buying the exact replacement part makes the repair much easier.
Step 2: Shut off the water supply
Turn the shut-off valves under the sink clockwise until they stop. Open the faucet to release pressure and drain remaining water. If there are no local valves, shut off the main water supply to the house.
Tip: Put the sink stopper in or lay a towel in the basin so small screws can’t fall down the drain.
Step 3: Remove the handle
Pry off the decorative cap on the handle, then remove the screw underneath (or loosen the set screw with a hex key). Lift the handle straight off. Take a photo at every stage. It makes reassembly foolproof.
Step 4: Remove and inspect the cartridge or stem
Unscrew the retaining nut or clip and pull out the cartridge or stem. Inspect the rubber washer, seat and O-rings. Flattened, cracked or hardened rubber is the usual cause of drips at the spout, while worn O-rings cause leaks around the handle.
Step 5: Replace the worn parts
Take the old parts to a hardware store to find an exact match, or order the manufacturer’s repair kit. Coat new O-rings with a thin layer of plumber’s grease, then install the new washer or cartridge in the same orientation as the old one.
Step 6: Reassemble and test
Reinstall the retaining nut, handle and cap. Turn the water supply back on slowly and run the faucet for a minute. Check for drips at the spout and leaks around the handle.
How Much Water Does a Leaky Faucet Waste?
More than you’d think. A faucet dripping once per second adds up to thousands of gallons a year. That’s water you pay for twice, once to bring it in and again on the sewer bill. Fixing the drip is one of the fastest ways to cut a water bill without changing any habits.
Cartridge vs. Compression Faucet Repairs
Compression faucets usually leak because the rubber washer at the bottom of the stem is worn. A new washer costs very little. Cartridge, ball and ceramic-disc faucets use a single replaceable part, so the fix is usually swapping the whole cartridge. It costs more but takes only minutes. Either way, the brand name helps you find the right part fast.
When to call a plumber
If the faucet body is cracked, the valve seat is badly corroded, or the shut-off valves won’t close, it’s time to call a licensed plumber, or consider replacing the entire faucet.
Related guides
Once your faucet is fixed, learn how to unclog a drain without chemicals and add plumbing checks to your seasonal home maintenance checklist.
Other quick plumbing wins include learning how to fix a running toilet and replacing a showerhead in about 15 minutes.
