Key Takeaways
- Most drips are a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge.
- Identify your faucet type before buying parts. Take the old part to the store.
- Always shut off the water and plug the drain before you start.
- Replace the faucet if it's corroded, old or parts are hard to find.
Why Fix a Dripping Faucet Now
One drip per second adds up to more than 3,000 gallons a year, according to the EPA's WaterSense program. A hot water drip also costs you energy. And a drip that's ignored can wear the valve seat until a simple repair becomes a new faucet.
Identify Your Faucet Type
| Type | How to recognize it | Usual culprit |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Separate hot and cold handles you tighten to close | Rubber washer |
| Cartridge | One or two handles that move smoothly | Cartridge or O-rings |
| Ball | Single handle over a rounded cap, common in kitchens | Springs, seats, O-rings |
| Ceramic disc | Single lever over a wide cylinder | Seals or the disc cartridge |
What You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench and screwdrivers
- Allen keys (many handles use a hidden set screw)
- Replacement washer, O-rings or cartridge for your exact model
- Plumber's grease
- A towel or rag to plug the drain
Step by Step: Fixing a Leaky Faucet
- Shut off the water at the valves under the sink, then open the faucet to drain it.
- Plug the drain so small parts can't fall in.
- Remove the handle. Pop off the decorative cap and remove the screw or set screw.
- Remove the valve or cartridge with a wrench. Lay the parts out in order, or take a photo.
- Replace the worn part: the washer and seat on compression faucets, or the cartridge or O-rings on others.
- Grease new O-rings lightly and reassemble in reverse order.
- Turn the water back on slowly and check for drips and leaks under the sink.
Take the old cartridge or washer to the hardware store. Faucet parts vary by brand and model, and matching the old part is the surest way to get the right one.
When to Replace the Faucet Instead
- It's corroded, cracked or leaking from the body
- Parts are discontinued or hard to find
- It still drips after a new cartridge
- You want an upgrade anyway, like a pull-down or touchless faucet
When to Call a Plumber
Call a plumber if the shut-off valves under the sink won't close or leak, if parts are seized, if water is leaking inside the cabinet or wall, or if you'd simply rather not spend a Saturday under the sink. Our faucet repair service handles repairs and replacements, including new shut-off valves.
Leaks elsewhere in the house? Our guide on detecting leaks early covers the rest. We repair faucets across Rockville, Bethesda and North Bethesda.
