How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Step-by-Step)
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Step-by-Step)
Always verify contractor licensing and insurance in your state. Cost estimates are averages and may vary by location.
A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons of water per year — enough to take 180 showers. Beyond the water bill, that constant drip accelerates sink basin staining, breeds mold in damp areas, and slowly drives everyone in the house crazy. Most leaky faucets can be fixed in under an hour with $5 to $25 in parts.
Step 1: Identify Your Faucet Type
Before you buy parts, determine which of the four major faucet types you have. Each uses a different mechanism and different repair parts.
| Faucet Type | How to Identify | Common In |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Two handles; feels like tightening a valve when you turn it off | Older homes, utility sinks |
| Ball | Single handle; moves over a rounded ball cap | Kitchen sinks (Delta, Peerless) |
| Cartridge | Single or double handle; smooth on/off motion | Bathroom sinks (Moen, Price Pfister) |
| Ceramic disc | Single handle; wide cylinder inside the body | Newer high-end fixtures |
If you are unsure, remove the handle and look at the internal mechanism. Your hardware store can help identify it from a photo.
Tools Needed
- Adjustable wrench
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Allen wrench set
- Pliers
- Replacement parts (O-rings, cartridge, or valve seats depending on type)
- Plumber’s grease
- Towel and bucket
Fix by Faucet Type
Compression Faucet
- Turn off the water supply under the sink.
- Remove the handle by unscrewing the decorative cap and handle screw.
- Use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut and pull out the stem.
- Inspect the seat washer at the bottom of the stem. If it is flattened, cracked, or worn, that is your leak.
- Replace the washer and coat the new one with plumber’s grease.
- Replace the O-ring on the stem as well. Coat it with grease before reassembling.
- Reassemble in reverse order and test.
Ball Faucet
- Turn off water supply.
- Remove the handle and unscrew the cap using the special wrench included in a ball faucet repair kit ($10 to $15).
- Remove the cam, cam washer, and ball.
- Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the inlet seals and springs.
- Replace all seals, springs, cam, and cam washer with parts from the kit.
- Reassemble and test.
Cartridge Faucet
- Turn off water supply.
- Remove the handle and pull out the retaining clip with pliers.
- Pull the cartridge straight up and out. Note its orientation.
- Replace the cartridge with an exact match (bring the old one to the store).
- Replace the O-rings on the faucet body as well.
- Reassemble with the new cartridge in the same orientation and test.
Ceramic Disc Faucet
- Turn off water supply.
- Remove the handle and unscrew the escutcheon cap.
- Unscrew the disc cylinder mounting screws and lift out the cylinder.
- Remove the neoprene seals from the cylinder openings.
- Clean the cylinder openings with white vinegar and a soft pad.
- Replace the seals. If the disc itself is cracked, replace the entire cylinder.
- Reassemble and turn the water on slowly — a sudden blast of water can crack a ceramic disc.
Water Waste Calculator
| Drip Rate | Gallons per Day | Gallons per Year | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 drip/second | 8.6 | 3,153 | $25 - $35 |
| 2 drips/second | 17.2 | 6,307 | $50 - $70 |
| Steady trickle | 30+ | 11,000+ | $90 - $140 |
Fixing a single leaky faucet often pays for itself in water savings within one billing cycle.
When to Replace Instead of Repair
Consider replacing the entire faucet if:
- The faucet is more than 15 years old and corroded internally.
- Parts for your model are discontinued.
- The valve seat is pitted or damaged beyond grinding.
- You are spending more than $50 on repeated repairs.
A new faucet costs $50 to $250 for the fixture plus $150 to $300 for professional installation. See Home Repair Cost Estimator (Interactive Calculator) for more detail.
Key Takeaways
- Identify your faucet type first — the repair approach differs for each one.
- Most leaky faucet repairs cost $5 to $25 in parts and take under an hour.
- A dripping faucet wastes thousands of gallons per year, so prompt repair saves real money.
- Replace the faucet entirely if it is old, corroded, or has discontinued parts.
Next Steps
- Identify your faucet type and gather the tools listed above.
- Visit your hardware store with the old parts in hand for an exact match.
- If you prefer professional help, use Get Free Repair Quotes to get estimates from local plumbers.
- Check How to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals for another common sink issue you can fix at the same time.