How to Fix a Leaking Faucet A Step by Step Guide That Actually Works

That drip. Drip. Drip.

It starts small. You tell yourself you will deal with it tomorrow. Tomorrow turns into next week. Next week turns into a water bill that makes your stomach drop.

According to the EPA WaterSense program A leaking faucet wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water every single year. One slow drip adds real dollars to your monthly bill. The good news? You can fix most leaking faucets yourself in under an hour.

No plumbing experience needed. Just follow these steps.

What Causes a Leaking Faucet

Before you grab a wrench, figure out why your faucet leaks. Most leaks come from worn internal parts. These parts get used dozens of times every day and eventually stop sealing properly.

Here are the four most common causes:

Worn washers Every time you turn your faucet off, the washer presses against a metal seat. That constant friction wears it down over time.

Damaged O-rings These small rubber rings seal the faucet stem. When they crack or loosen, water escapes around the handle base.

Corroded valve seat The valve seat connects the faucet to the spout. Mineral deposits corrode it and cause dripping near the spout.

Failed cartridge Cartridge faucets use a cartridge to control water flow. When it fails, your faucet drips without stopping.

Pro Tip: Touch the drip location before opening anything. Dripping from the spout usually means a washer or cartridge problem. Dripping from the base means O-rings have failed.

Tools You Need Before You Start

You do not need a full toolbox. Here is everything you need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
• Replacement washers and O-rings
• Plumber’s grease
• A small bucket or old towel

Most replacement parts cost under $10 at any hardware store. Grab a few different sizes since you will not know the exact fit until you open the faucet.

Pro Tip: Photograph your faucet’s model number before you head to the store. It sits on the base or under the handle. This saves you a wasted second trip.

Step 1 Shut Off the Water Supply First

Never skip this step. Skip it and you flood your bathroom floor immediately.

Look under your sink for the individual shut-off valves. Turn them clockwise until they stop completely. If you cannot find them, shut off the main water supply for your whole home instead.

After shutting off the water, open the faucet. This releases pressure still sitting in the line. Let it run until nothing comes out.

Call (877) 708-5493 if you cannot locate your shut-off valve. Our licensed plumbers in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and Atlanta respond fast day or night.

Step 2 Remove the Faucet Handle Carefully

Find the decorative cap on top of your faucet handle. Pop it off gently with a flathead screwdriver. Underneath sits a screw holding the handle in place.

Remove that screw and pull the handle straight up. If mineral buildup makes it stick, wiggle it gently side to side. Never yank it hard you can crack the handle.

Set every small piece in a bowl as you go. Faucet screws are tiny and disappear fast on bathroom floors.

Step 3 How to Fix a Leaking Faucet by Type

Different faucets fail differently. Identify your type first, then follow the matching fix below.

Ball Faucet Repair

Ball faucets have a single handle that pivots over a rounded cap. They are extremely common in kitchens across Houston, Denver, and Las Vegas homes.

When a ball faucet leaks, the springs, seats, or O-rings are worn. Buy a complete ball faucet repair kit it includes every part you need and costs $15 to $25. Replace everything at once for the best long-term result.

Cartridge Faucet Repair

Cartridge faucets use one or two handles and a cartridge inside to control flow. You see them constantly in bathrooms across Phoenix, Orlando, and Atlanta.

Pull out the old cartridge and take it directly to the hardware store. Match it exactly even a slightly different cartridge will leak again. Slide the new cartridge in the same direction as the old one, reassemble, and test.

Ceramic Disc Faucet Repair

Ceramic disc faucets are modern, durable, and built to last. They have a wide cylindrical body with a single lever handle.

Remove the disc cylinder and inspect the ceramic discs inside. Soak them in white vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral buildup. Replace cracked discs immediately. These faucets almost never need full replacement just clean and reinstall.

Compression Faucet Repair

Compression faucets are the oldest style you will find especially in Austin and Dallas homes built before 1980. They have two separate handles and use rubber washers to stop water flow.

Remove the packing nut and pull out the stem. At the bottom sits a rubber washer held by a brass screw. Replace that washer, coat the new one lightly with plumber’s grease, and reassemble everything in reverse.

Step 4 Replace the O-Rings and Put It Back Together

While your faucet is open, replace every O-ring you see even if they look fine. New O-rings cost almost nothing and prevent future leaks completely.

Coat each new O-ring with plumber’s grease before you install it. This helps it seat correctly and triples its lifespan.

Reassemble the faucet in the exact reverse order you took it apart. Tighten everything snugly but stop there. Overtightening cracks plastic parts and creates brand new leaks.

Pro Tip: Keep your old parts in a bag until you confirm the repair worked completely. If the faucet still drips, you can compare old and new parts to spot what went wrong.

Call (877) 708-5493 for same-day faucet repair. Our licensed plumbers serve all 50 states with upfront pricing and zero hidden fees.

How to Fix a Leaking Faucet at the Base

A faucet leaking around the base not from the spout is a different problem entirely. The O-rings along the faucet body have failed and need replacing.

Shut off the water supply first. Remove the spout by turning it back and forth while pulling upward. You will see O-rings sitting in grooves along the faucet body. Replace every one with the exact same size.

This leak type is extremely common in Atlanta, Austin, and San Antonio homes. Hard water in those cities accelerates O-ring wear much faster than in other areas.

When You Should Call a Licensed Plumber

Most faucet leaks are quick fixes. But some problems are beyond DIY.

Call a professional plumber right away if:

• The faucet still leaks after you replaced all the parts
• You spot corrosion or damage on the pipes under the sink
• Water leaks inside your wall not just the faucet itself
• Your water pressure dropped significantly after the repair
• The shut-off valve under the sink also leaks

A leak inside your wall is a plumbing emergency. Water trapped inside walls grows mold within 24 to 48 hours. Do not wait even one day on that problem.

While you have the cabinet open, check your drains too. Slow drains and leaky faucets occur together constantly in older homes especially those built before 1990. Read our drain cleaning guide for a full walkthrough.

How Much Does Faucet Repair Cost

DIY repair costs $5 to $30 in parts depending on your faucet type. Ball faucet kits run $15 to $25. Individual washers and O-rings cost under $5.

Hiring a licensed plumber costs $75 to $250 for standard faucet repair. Full faucet replacement with a new unit runs $200 to $500 installed.

The numbers make sense fast. A dripping faucet wastes 3,000 gallons every year. At average US water rates, that adds $20 to $60 to your annual water bill. Fixing it today always costs less than waiting.

Dealing with water heater problems too? Our water heater repair guide covers everything you need to know.

Still Dripping? We Fix It Same Day

You tried your best. Sometimes a faucet just needs professional hands to fix it right the first time.

Our licensed plumbers fix leaking faucets across Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Austin. Same day service. Upfront pricing. Zero hidden fees. Zero surprises.

Call (877) 708-5493 right now. A real person answers every call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Prefer to reach us online? Contact us here and we call you back within 15 minutes.