How to fix a leaky faucet
Most drips come from one worn washer, seal or cartridge. Figure out which kind of faucet you have, and the repair gets a lot simpler.
- DifficultyEasy
- Time30–60 minutes
- If you need helpPlumber
A dripping faucet is more than an annoying sound at night. The EPA's WaterSense program says a faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons in a year. The fix is usually a small rubber washer, a seal or a cartridge that has simply worn out.
The trick is knowing what kind of faucet you have. There are four common types, and each one has a different part that fails. Once you know your type, you can buy the right part and finish in under an hour.
Give yourself 30 to 60 minutes, plus a trip to the hardware store with the old part in hand.
What you'll need
- Adjustable wrench Shop for Adjustable wrench (opens in a new tab)
- Phillips and flat screwdrivers Shop for Phillips and flat screwdrivers (opens in a new tab)
- Hex key (Allen wrench) set Shop for Hex key (Allen wrench) set (opens in a new tab)
- Repair kit, washer, O-rings or cartridge for your faucet Shop for Repair kit, washer, O-rings or cartridge for your faucet (opens in a new tab)
- Silicone plumber's grease Shop for Silicone plumber's grease (opens in a new tab)
- Distilled white vinegar and a soft scrub pad for mineral buildup
- A rag, a towel and some duct tape
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Before you start
- Shut off the water. Find the two small valves under the sink, one for hot and one for cold. Turn each clockwise until it stops. Open the faucet to drain the lines and confirm the water is off. If there are no valves, see how to find your water shutoff.
- Plug the drain. Stuff a rag in the drain or close the stopper so tiny screws can't fall in.
- Protect the finish. Wrap the jaws of your wrench with duct tape so it won't scratch the faucet.
- Keep parts in order. Lay each piece on a towel in the order you remove it. Take a phone photo at each stage. This makes putting it back together much easier.
Identify your faucet type
| Type | How to spot it | Part that usually fails |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles that you twist down until they feel snug. Common in older homes. | Rubber seat washer, stem O-ring, sometimes the brass seat |
| Cartridge | One or two handles. Inside, a cartridge lifts straight out, often held by a clip or nut. | O-rings or the whole cartridge |
| Ball | One lever on a rounded cap. A small screw on the side of the handle. Many small parts inside. | Rubber seats and springs |
| Ceramic disc | One lever over a wide, round cylinder body. A set screw under the handle. | Rubber (neoprene) seals under the disc |
If you still aren't sure, look for a brand name and model number on the faucet or on the paperwork. Manufacturer websites can identify the exact parts you need.
Fix a compression faucet
- Remove the handle. Pop off the decorative cap, remove the screw and lift the handle off.
- Remove the stem. Loosen the packing nut with your wrench and unscrew the stem.
- Replace the washer and O-ring. At the bottom of the stem is a rubber seat washer held by a brass screw. Replace it, and replace the O-ring on the stem. Take the old ones to the store to match the size.
- Check the seat. Feel the brass seat deep inside the faucet body. If it's rough or pitted, a new washer won't seal for long. You can replace or smooth it with an inexpensive seat tool, or call a plumber.
- Reassemble. Put it back together in reverse order and don't overtighten.
Fix a cartridge faucet
- Remove the handle. Pry off the cap and remove the screw underneath. Some use a hex key.
- Pull the cartridge. Remove the retaining clip or nut, then pull the cartridge straight up. Note which way it faces.
- Replace O-rings or the cartridge. If only the base of the spout leaks, new O-rings may do it. For a drip from the spout, Moen says the leak is usually the cartridge, so replace it. Moen also notes its cartridges are not interchangeable across models, so match yours exactly.
- Grease and reinstall. Coat new O-rings lightly with silicone grease, set the cartridge facing the same way and put the clip back.
Fix a ball faucet
- Remove the handle. Loosen the small set screw on the side and lift the handle off.
- Take off the cap and ball. Unscrew the cap and lift out the cam, the packing and the ball.
- Replace seats and springs. Use a small screwdriver to lift out the rubber seats and springs from the faucet body. This Old House recommends replacing the full set with a repair kit made for your faucet.
- Reassemble. Put the ball, cam and cap back in order. Tighten the cap just until the handle stops leaking.
Fix a ceramic disc faucet
- Remove the handle and cap. Loosen the set screw, lift off the handle and remove the decorative cap.
- Remove the disc cylinder. Unscrew the mounting screws and lift out the cylinder.
- Replace the seals. Pull out the rubber seals underneath and replace them. Soak the openings in white vinegar to clear mineral buildup.
- Turn water on slowly. After reassembly, open the faucet handle first, then turn the water on gently. A sudden blast of pressure can crack the ceramic discs.
When to call a pro
Stop and call a plumber if:
- The shutoff valves are stuck, leaking or missing.
- Water is leaking under the sink or behind the wall, not just from the spout or handle.
- Parts are corroded together and won't come apart without force.
- The faucet body is cracked, or the drip continues after you replaced the right parts.
Sometimes replacing an old faucet costs less in time and frustration than repairing it. A plumber can help you decide. Renters should check with the landlord first. For a quick gut check, try our fix it or call a pro quiz.
Keep it from happening again
- Turn handles off gently. Cranking them down wears washers and seats faster.
- Wipe away hard-water crust and clean the aerator a few times a year. See our guide to low water pressure.
- Fix drips early. A small drip can wear grooves into the seat and turn a cheap fix into a new faucet.
- Write down your faucet's brand and model and keep it with your home records.
Common questions
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
More than you'd think. The EPA's WaterSense program says a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons in a year.
Why does my faucet still drip after I replaced the washer?
On a compression faucet, the brass seat the washer presses against may be pitted or worn. It may need to be replaced or smoothed with a seat tool. On other faucet types, the cartridge itself or a second seal may be the problem.
Can I use any brand's cartridge in my faucet?
No. Cartridges are made for specific faucets, and Moen notes that even its own cartridges are not interchangeable across models. Bring the old part to the store or order by your faucet's model number.
What if the shutoff valves under my sink won't turn?
Don't force them, because old valves can break and leak. Turn off the main water to the house instead, and consider having a plumber replace the stuck valves.