A dripping faucet wastes over 3,000 gallons of water a year and gets more annoying every single night. The good news: fixing it yourself is one of the most approachable plumbing repairs there is. Most DIY leaky faucet fixes come down to replacing one worn part, and the whole job takes about 20 minutes once you know which part is failing.
What You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Replacement cartridge, O-rings, or washers (matched to your faucet type — bring the old part to the hardware store if unsure)
- Plumber's grease
- A rag or towel
- A small container or cup (to catch water)
Step 1: Identify Your Faucet Type
Before you start, figure out which kind of faucet you have — this determines which part is likely causing the leak.
- Compression faucet (older, two separate hot/cold handles): usually a worn rubber washer.
- Ball faucet (single handle, ball-shaped mechanism inside): usually worn seals or springs.
- Cartridge faucet (single or double handle, smooth turn): a worn cartridge.
- Ceramic disk faucet (single handle, wide cylindrical body): a worn seal or disk.
If you're not sure, that's fine — the diagnosis becomes obvious once you open up the handle in Step 3.
Step 2: Shut Off the Water
Locate the shutoff valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until fully closed. Turn on the faucet afterward to release any remaining pressure and confirm the water is off before you take anything apart. Plug the drain or place a rag over it — small screws and parts have a way of disappearing down there.
Step 3: Remove the Handle
Most faucet handles have a small screw hidden under a decorative cap on top — pop the cap off with a flathead screwdriver, then remove the screw underneath. Lift the handle straight off. If it's stuck, gently wiggle it side to side; avoid prying hard enough to crack the fixture.
Step 4: Find and Replace the Worn Part
With the handle off, you'll see the inner mechanism — this is where the leak is coming from.
- Compression faucet: Unscrew the stem, and you'll find a rubber washer at the bottom held by a small screw. Replace it with an exact match in size.
- Cartridge faucet: Pull the cartridge straight out (a retaining clip or nut may need to come off first). Take it to the hardware store to match it exactly — cartridges are brand and model specific.
- Ball faucet: Remove the cap and ball assembly, then replace the rubber seats and springs underneath — most hardware stores sell a complete repair kit for this type.
- Ceramic disk faucet: Lift out the cylinder, and replace the neoprene seals on its underside.
Coat any new rubber parts lightly with plumber's grease before reinstalling — this helps them seat properly and extends their life.
Step 5: Reassemble and Test
Reverse the steps: reinstall the part, put the handle back on, replace the screw and decorative cap. Turn the water supply back on slowly and check for drips at the spout and underneath at the connections. Run the faucet through hot and cold, on and off, a few times to confirm the leak is fully gone.
Still Dripping? Check These Next
If replacing the main wear part didn't fix it, the leak may be coming from somewhere else entirely:
- O-rings at the base of the spout — causes leaking at the base rather than the spout tip.
- The supply line connections under the sink — tighten with an adjustable wrench, but don't overtighten and crack a fitting.
- Mineral buildup on the valve seat — hard water deposits can prevent a proper seal even with new parts. A vinegar soak or a valve seat wrench (to smooth the seat) can resolve this.
When to Call a Plumber Instead
Most single-handle drips are a straightforward DIY fix. Call a professional if you're dealing with corroded pipes, a leak inside the wall, or a faucet so old that replacement parts are no longer available — at that point, a full faucet replacement is usually the more practical (and often cheaper) option than repeated repairs.
Related Reading
Faucet repair is a good entry point into other small home fixes. If you're just building your DIY toolkit, see The Only 15 Tools Every DIYer Actually Needs, or check out DIY Drywall Repair for another quick, high-value fix. For the full project roadmap, see The Complete Guide to DIY Home Improvement.
Ready to tackle bigger home projects once the small repairs are handled? Ted's Woodworking has step-by-step plans for everything from cabinet builds to full bathroom vanities.
A Small Fix With a Big Payoff
A leaky faucet is loud, wasteful, and almost always cheaper to fix than to ignore. With the right replacement part and about 20 minutes, most drips are gone for good — no plumber bill required.