How to Fix a Dripping Faucet (And Stop Wasting Money)

A dripping faucet is one of the most common — and most ignored — home repair problems. That slow drip can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year and add $20–$60 to your annual water bill. The good news: most dripping faucets can be fixed in under an hour with basic tools and a $5–$15 repair kit.

Why Is My Faucet Dripping?

The root cause depends on your faucet type:

• Compression faucets (older, two-handle): worn rubber seat washer
• Ball faucets (single handle that rotates): worn springs, seats, or O-rings
• Cartridge faucets (single or double handle): worn cartridge
• Ceramic disc faucets (wide single lever): cracked or dirty ceramic disc

Before buying parts, identify which type you have — it determines what you replace.

What You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
• Replacement washers, O-rings, or cartridge (match your faucet brand)
• Plumber's grease
• Towel and bucket

Step-by-Step: Fixing a Compression Faucet

1. Turn off the water supply — look for the shutoff valve under the sink and turn it clockwise. Turn the faucet on to release remaining pressure.
2. Remove the handle — pry off the decorative cap, remove the screw underneath, then pull the handle straight up.
3. Remove the packing nut — use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the packing nut beneath the handle.
4. Pull out the stem — twist and pull the stem out of the faucet body.
5. Replace the seat washer — at the bottom of the stem, you'll find a rubber washer held by a brass screw. Replace it with an identical washer. If the washer hole is beveled, use a beveled replacement.
6. Inspect and replace the O-ring — while the stem is out, check the O-ring around it for wear. Replace if cracked or flattened.
7. Reassemble — reverse the steps. Apply plumber's grease to the O-ring before reassembly.
8. Test — turn the water back on slowly and check for drips.

When to Call a Professional

• The faucet body itself is cracked
• You can't locate the water shutoff valve
• The drip persists after replacing the washer (may indicate a damaged valve seat)
• Water is leaking from the wall or under the cabinet

Save Time with AI Diagnosis

Not sure which faucet type you have or what part is worn? Take a photo and describe the problem in Fixwise — our AI will identify your faucet type and generate a repair guide specific to your model.